Collective muso writers reflect on the year that was.

I actually think 2003 has been quite a good year, musically. There haven’t been any obvious "movements" but a lot of different, interesting work from established acts and newcomers alike. In the known category I was particularly taken with Blur’s excellent Think Tank, and PJ Harvey and Josh Homme’s rough-and-ready but fantastic Desert Sessions collaboration. Lesser known records that got me going included Scout Niblett’s stripped down grunge blues, Bonobo’s warm collection of beats and loops, and both Parsley Sound and Matt Harding’s skewed acoustic songwriting. Variety is the spice of life after all. Matt Walton

The sound of 2003 seemed to be the wailing and gnashing of teeth as more labels closed, the majors claimed the internet was ruining rather than enriching music and people sat through another bloody Radiohead LP. That was until Dizzee Rascal knocked everyone’s teeth out with a suckerpunch album that illuminated both the underground and the charts. Yet, while rock pretty much gave up on reinvention in favour of pantomime clichés, and dance music seemingly stuttered to a halt, two of the most essential albums, in my book, were on a jazz tip. King Britt’s Adventures In Lo-Fi and The Detroit Experiment’s eponymous LP fused jazz’s freewheeling experimentation with hip-hop beats and techno soundscapes to create music that shone like gold fillings in this year’s gob. Paul Clarke

Not a bumper year but there have definitely been musical moments to saviour. The White Stripes have cemented their position as the best purveyors of the rock guitar riff and Radiohead have proved once again that they cannot be underestimated. On the dancier tip, Zongamin is deservedly in our top ten, and I’m very much liking Michael Mayers’ Fabric mix of cool, techy house. For thoughtful moments I’ve been turning to Bonnie Prince Billy and Earlimart, who I think have made one of this year's sleeper albums. And Kid Koala, King Geedorah and Jon Kennedy have each produced excellent records for the discerning turntablist. Let’s hope 2004 offers up more creativity of this sort and less four-piece guitar rock bands called The Somethings. Alastair Lee

Despite rewarding debuts from Richard X and The Psychonauts, the axe crushed dance music in 2003. The Rapture took guitars into Manumission and delivered an awesome live show and loveably angular record. Four Tet and Manitoba stuck their fingers up at laptop fanatics by realising the ability to be innovative and accessible. Meanwhile, The Coral reinvigorated Merseybeat by recording two accomplished albums in one year. Yes, the follow up to Magic And Medicine will be released in January 04. Scally kids, eh. Anna Chapman 19 December 03