It’s time for the next installment of my Decades series, wherein I dive into the albums from a certain year across four decades. It’s time to close out the 3’s. After covering 1973, 1983, and 1993, I’ll dedicate the next few weeks to 2003.
As always, I’ll start by counting down my favorite albums from the year, and then turn my attention to some of the critically-acclaimed records with which I’m less familiar.
My #10 album of 2003 is Something Deeper Than These Changes, the last official solo album by singer-songwriter Mark Stewart under his stage name Stew.
Stew has released all kinds of material under both his own name and the band name The Negro Problem, and he later segued into a successful Broadway career, but this was the last traditional album he released.
It’s a quiet and contemplative affair featuring a few songs I count among my favorites of his.
I don’t listen to Stew much anymore, but when I do I’m always reminded how much I enjoy his unique sound and perspective.
Hung her dress to dry by the candle heat
Newsman said the rain could come hard tonight
So open up the stove and warm your feet
Man turned off the cable, something ’bout an unpaid bill
I don’t watch much TV anyway
(I don’t watch much TV anyway)
Made me deaf and blind to all your mysteries and claims
but now they’re plain
to see
And sugar it’s plain
to me
(Change is the strangest thing)
(Change is the strangest thing)
This heated exchange, burn me
(Change is the strangest thing)
Usually her vibe is red light rushhour
Gum poppin’ nails drummin’ on the wheel
But now the rainy lady dreams of watts tower
At the kitchen table, where the mess is real
What’s in it for me, here in your murky treasury?
Nothing you didn’t deposit today
(I don’t watch much TV anyway)
Desires you chase away creep back into your brain
but now they’re plain
to see
And sugar it’s plain
to me
Well
(Change is the strangest thing)
(Change is the strangest thing)
This heated exchange burns me
(Change is the strangest thing)
What’s on your mind, holy intimate of sorrow?
Shine holiness light along the way
Don’t you have a line on what’s happening tomorrow?
Ohh, but it’s changed, you see
Ohh, it’s arranged, for me
This heated exchange burned me
Candle holds its own in a wax pool by the window
I think the dress is dry, let me check to see
What a clear blue day to be left hanging in limbo
I hope your toes got dry anyway
Meet Me In Montauk 
Some of the Stew you have featured is too theatrical for my taste, but I like this.