Kiss - Alive IV (even though its a live album I don't care). That is the only 2003 album i actually own so far.
Out of other albums I have heard or heard stuff from... the best ones seem to be:
Metal Shop - Hole Patrol !

!

Harem Scarem - The Early Years
Harem Scarem - Higher
Talisman - Cats & Dogs
The Darkness - Permission To Land (only heard a BIT of this though, but the high falsetto vocals and Spinal Tap vibe alone make me wanna hear more..)
And I really wanna check out Vince Neil's "Live At The Whisky - One Night Only" release, the Tigertailz release even though its just a remastered version of their pre-debut demos, Pretty Boy Floyd's "Vault II" and the new Lynch Mob. Also curious about the new Alice but don't have very high hopes... and believe it or not I've still only heard 1 track from the new Maiden hahaha! But that sounds like it will be cool and definitely rank up high.
Here are the albums that I've been disappointed about (but haven't heard them in their entirety so they may be better than I expect but I doubt it):
Skid Row - Thickskin
Britny Fox - Whatever that stupid title is...
Bon Jovi - This Left Feels Right
2003 has sucked I think. Considering that the 3 albums that seem to be my favourites so far are a live album that (even though it still rules) is by a band well past their prime, a remastered compilation of demos from before Harem Scarem's first album, and a comedy/glam album by an LA metal tribute show, I don't think the standard is all that high!!