The 25 best Indie Albums of 2003

19 August 2025, 19:08 | Updated: 11 November 2025, 13:08

2003: the year that brought such classic albums as Elephant, Fever To Tell and Youth And Young Manhood.

1. Zwan - Mary Star Of The Sea: release date 10th February 2003

   Billy Corgan's short-lived band with fellow Smashing Pumpkin Jimmy Chamberlin, A Perfect Circle's Paz Lenchantin and Slint's Dave Pajo issued their one and only album in 2003, which featured the charming single Honestly. The band had split by the end of the year, with the Pumpkins back in action in the summer of 2005.

   

2. The Kills - Keep On Your Mean Side: relase date 10th March 2003

   The debut album from London duo Alison "VV" Mosshart and Jamie "Hotel" Hince included Fried My Little Brains and Pull A U.

   

3. Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts: release date 24th March 2003

   The fourth album from the trio included English Summer Rain, Special Needs and The Bitter End.

   

4. The White Stripes - Elephant: release date 31st March 2003

   The duo released their biggest album yet, featuring Seven Nation Army and The Hardest Button To Button.

   

5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell: release date 28th April 2003

   The debut album from Karen O and co was released, featuring the classic Maps and Y Control.

   

6. Blur - Think Tank: release date 5th May 2003

   Graham Coxon bade farewell to the band on their seventh album, which included Out Of Time and Crazy Beat.

   

7. Stereophonics - You Gotta Go There To Come Back: release date 2nd June 2003

   The trio's fourth album was their last to feature founder member Stuart Cable and included the singles Maybe Tomorrow, Madame Helga and Moviestar.

   

8. Radiohead - Hail To The Thief: release date 9th June 2003

   The band's sixth album was released in 2003. Tracks include 2+2=5 and There There.

   

9. The Mars Volta - Deloused In The Comatorium: release date 23rd June 2003

   Formed from the ashes of At The Drive In, the band released their debut concept album in 2003, which featured Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of) and Interiatic ESP.

   

10. Electric Six - Fire: release date 30th June 2003

    The Detroit rockers released their debut, featuring Danger! High Voltage and the peerless Gay Bar.

    

11. The Thrills - So Much For The City: release date 30th June 2003

    The Dublin band released their debut album, featuring Big Sur and Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far).

    

12. Kings Of Leon - Youth And Young Manhood: release date 7th July 2003

    The band released their debut album, featuring California Waiting and Molly's Chambers.

    

13. The Darkness - Permission To Land: release date 7th July 2003

    Lowestoft's finest rockers released their debut album, which included I Believe In A Thing Called Love, Growing One Me, Love Is Only A Feeling and Get Your Hands Off My Woman.

    

14. Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power: release date 21st July 2003

    The sixth album from the Welsh band featured Hello Sunshine and Golden Retriever.

    

15. The Coral - Magic And Medicine: release date 28th July 2003

    The Liverpool band released their second album, featuring Pass It On.

    

16. Snow Patrol - Final Straw: release date 4th August 2003

    The third album from the band featured the classics Spitting Games, Run and Chocolate.

    

17. Elbow - Cast Of Thousands: release date 18th August 2003

    The second album from Guy Garvey and co featured Fugitive Motel and Fallen Angel.

    

18. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Take Them On, On Your Own: release date 25th August 2003

    The San Francisco garage rock revivalists issued their second album, which included the singles Stop, We're All In Love and Six Barrel Shotgun.

    

19. The Rapture - Echoes: release date 8th September 2003

    The full length debut from the New York City post-punkers, featuring Olio and House Of Jealous Lovers.

    

20. Jet - Get Born: release date 15th September 2003

    The Aussie rockers released their debut, featuring Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Rollover DJ.

    

21. Starsailor - Silence Is Easy: release date 15th September 2003

    The follow-up to the Warrington band's acclaimed debut Silence Is Easy equalled their first album's chart position of Number 2 and spawned singles in the title track, Born Again and Four To The Floor.

    

22. Muse - Absolution: release date 22nd September 2003

    The trio released their third album, which included Time Is Running Out, Hysteria and Stockholm Syndrome.

    

23. The Distillers – Coral Fang: release date 13th October 2003

    The third album from Brody Dalle's punk outfit included the singles Drain The Blood and Beat Your Heart Out.

    

24. The Strokes - Room On Fire: release date 20th October 2003

    The band's second album was released in 2003. Tracks included 12.51 and Reptilia.