I can't say I've heard the EL-P album, since I'm pretty much only familiar with the more popular indie music, which is sort of like an oxymoron I guess. As such, I HAVE heard the Wilco album, and while I think it's pretty good, I don't think it's the best album of the year. I always wondered why, as it didn't really seem to have that extra quality. It was really good, not great. I now remember Kinetic praising this one to death, probably on a boat, and I've always wanted an explanation.
As for mine, I'd say Source Tags and Codes, as it was sort of like a throwback to the early nineties true alternative stuff, except it was for my generation and therefore was cooler to me. Great production along with great hooks. Too bad it didn't get much attention though. Even I only fell in love with it earlier this year, but yeah, greatness for sure.
I haven't listened to any new music in a while, what the hell is out there in 2003? The only album I remember buying is...well, I really don't.
Fantastic Damage is a sonically dense, complex hip hop record. El-P is no slouch when it comes to lyrics, but his production work is the real show here. So many things are happening in this album, and, even after repeated listens, I still find suprises in it.
I don't like Trail of Dead, outside of a couple of songs. All sound and fury and so forth.