My Best of 2006

Hello Everyone.

Here are my 2 cents on best of lists. A disclaimer, I do not necessarily think these 10 albums are the "best albums musically" or anything like that, they are simply my favorite 10 albums, or the albums that did the most for me this year.

Here you go, if you want a specific album, just let me know and I will post it.

1) Phoenix-It’s Never Been Like That

2) OH NO! OH MY!-ST

3) The Stills-Without Feathers

4) Razorlight-ST

5) Peter, Bjorn and John-Writers Block

6) Murs and 9^th Wonder-Murray’s Revenge

7) Beck-The Information

8) Band of Horses-Everything All The Time

9) Islands-Return to the Sea

10) Justin Timberlake-FutureSex/LoveSounds

Honorable Mentions:

1) Tokyo Police Club-A Lesson in Crime (This would be above, but it is only 16 minutes long)

2) Built To Spill-You in Reverse

3) Jarvis Cocker-Jarvis

4) The Magic Numbers-Those the Brokes (Out in the UK in 2006, USA is 2007)

5) Ratatat-Classics

6) The Decemberists-The Crane Wife

7) Ghostland Observatory-Paparazzi Lightning

8) The Whitest Boy Alive-Dreams

9) Lupe Fiasco-Food and Liquor

10) Guillemots-Through the Window Pane

11) I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness-Fear Is On Our Side

12) Voxtrot -3 EP’s

13) Maritime-We The Vehicles

14) Ghostface Killah-Fishscales

15) The Kooks-Inside In/Inside Out

And if you care, my favorite movies of 2006 are:

1) CHILDREN OF MEN
2) BRICK
3) UNITED 93
4) BORAT
5) JACKASS 2 (Yes, seriously)


Films I have not seen yet but expect them to be on this lists are: The Departed, Pan's Labyrinth, Half Nelson, Babel...many more, I see to many movies for work so I don't get out that much if they are not a Universal flick.

Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

Post-rock, or music for your New Year's Day hangover. Enjoy.

Year of the Dog - 10 Songs from 2006

Similar to my previous post listing my favorite albums of 2006, here are some my favorite songs of the year. This was a tough list to create since I kept it to only 10 songs. But this list reflects those songs that caught my ear and stayed there. I've uploaded the playlist for those of you that don't already have these tunes. Enjoy.

1. The Great Salt Lake | Band Of Horses
2. Chinese Translation | M. Ward
3. Rabbit Fur Coat | Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
4. John Saw That Number | Neko Case
5. Born In The U.K. | Badly Drawn Boy
6. Bush-League Psych-Out Stuff | P.O.S.
7. Original King | Brother Ali
8. Get Your Curse | His Name Is Alive
9. Clogged Castle | BOAT
10. Do You Believe In Rapture? | Sonic Youth

The Beatles - Love

Ever wondered what classic Beatles tunes would sound like if they where in the hands of someone with ProTools? Well no need to lie awake at night and wonder, the result is Love. This is a remix of classic songs by the Beatles (from the original 4 track recordings) by George Martin and his son Giles Martin. This was done for the Cirque du Soleil Vegas show of the same name. Sounds like it would be a load of crap, right? Sounds like it could be like that Billy Joel musical, or heaven forbid the Bob Dylan one.

Suprisingly it is not as bad as you would think. Love has a big thing going for it, it is the original Beatle music, and producers that are familiar and love the original material

I enjoyed the album, it never got too "clever." Beatle songs are like the U.S. Constitution. Either you feel that they way they are record is the way they should remain for the end of time and should not be f'd with or you feel that they can be changed and evolve with the times. I as with the constitution fall some where in the middle. Beatle songs where close to perfect when they were recorded and in an essence timeless, this is why there are so many bad Beatle covers (G Love's Blackbird and most of the I am Sam soundtrack). Now the timelssness of their songs make it so adaptable to change (ie Rufus Wainwright Across the Universe). When it is done with care and respect it can make something magical.

Love is close to magical. Giles intertwines several classic Beatle tunes to make a swirling sonic experience that continues to make the listener think about what they are hearing but also of the original tunes. Unfortunately this is a gimmick and with all gimmicks I can see it getting old really fast. Love will not be a lasting album in the Beatle's pantheon of great records, but an interesting footnote in their ever expanding mythology.

All Songs Considered recently did a show that interviewed Giles Martin and talked extensively about the record and the project. If you are interested I would suggest downloading their podcast on it. If you don't subscribe to their podcast you should because it is really good.

I have included the art work from the album for you reading pleasure.

***This post updated while listening to Rufus Wainwright, no particular album but just some songs by him.***

Low - Drums and Guns

I was first introduced to Low by Greg who gave me a copy of their 2001 release, Things We Lost in the Fire. It took a very long time for the album to sink in. For some reason I didn't get it at the time. But one day it clicked, and now Low is one of my favorite bands currently recording. Granted their live shows are as slow and tedious as you might imagine, but if you are familiar with their music, seeing them live can be an impressive experience.

I am very happy to share their upcoming release, Drums and Guns. On first listen, this album is every bit as good as last year's, The Great Destroyer. If you've seen Low live this past year, you will most likely recognize several of the songs which have been reworked for this album. There is a stunning version of Murderer which has been a staple at live shows recently. Producer Dave Fridmann, who also helped on The Great Destroyer, joins Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker once again to hone Low's haunting sound. Zak Sally has apparently been replaced by bassist Matt Livingston, both in the studio and at live shows. Drums and Guns is haunting and terrifying both in lyrics and tone. Apparently, Alan has gone through some dark times recently and these songs are the result. Drums and Guns is scheduled for release on March 20, 2007.

Enjoy.

A Christmas Gift from David Gilmour

It's the long-awaited impromptu acoustic rendition of David Gilmour playing Syd Barrett's Dark Globe. He premiered it at the Clam Castle show in Austria last summer, without even having played it at the soundcheck or having rehearsed it! The performance was so emotional, the entire band and crew spontaneously applauded when he finished.

Also posted is an Arnold Layne video of David Gilmore, Rick Wright, David Bowie, and band performing a great early Pink Floyd song that Syd wrote.

David Gilmour | On An Island

Merry Christmas

Happy Christmas (War is Over) | John Lennon
Ding Dong Ding Dong | George Harrison
Father Christmas | Kinks
A Christmas Song | Jethro Tull
Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night | Jimi Hendrix
Blue Christmas | Elvis Presley
Santa Baby | Marilyn Monroe
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas | Bing Crosby
Linus and Lucy | Vince Guaraldi Trio
Hanukkah Song 1 | Adam Sandler
Christmas Parodies | Jimmy Fallon

Ho Ho Ho! It is Christmas Time!

So I got two little presents for all of you. First of which is a little Christmas mix I put together. It is reminiscent of the "card" I sent in 2003. Here is the Track listing:

1. Snowflake Music - Mark Mothersbaugh
2. Welcome Christmas - Dr. Suess
3. Christmastime is Here (Instrumental) - Vince Guaraldi Trio
4. I Saw Three Ships - Darol Anger
5. Love Came Down at Christmas - Shawn Colvin
6. Christmas Is Near - Dr. Ralph Stanley
7. Winter Weather - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
8. Jingle Bells - Frank Sinatra
9. White Christmas - Esquivel
10. You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch - Aimee Mann
11. Zat You Santa Claus - Louis Armstrong
12. Santa Claus - They Might Be Giants
13. Silent Night - Johnny Cash
14. Joy To the World - Eef Barzelay
15. I Love NYE - Badly Drawn Boy
16. Careless Santa - Mono Puff
17. welcome christmas (reprise) - califone

Also as a bonus I have put up "The Night Before Christmas" as read by Bob Dylan. It is wonderful. Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas.

Midlake - The Trails of Van Occupanther

I'm sure there are more than a few great new albums that I missed this year. I missed this one when it was released and almost avoided it completely because the first review I read of this album compared Midlake to Fleet Wood Mac. I do not like Fleet Wood Mac, but I'll let you decide for yourself if the comparison is valid. So, after hearing the single, Young Bride, I decided to give this album a chance. I'm glad I did. If you haven't heard The Trails of Van Occupanther yet, it's worth the download if only for the opening track, Roscoe, and the aforementioned single. Although, the remainder stands up very well as a complete album. Enjoy and happy Christmases.

The Shins — Wincing The Night Away

Here is the much talked about leak of their upcoming album. There are lots of tight catchy pop songs with ambitious melodies. The Shins have a certain sound and are sticking with it.

Ultramagnetc MC's

Sam's recent post and Hartzell's constant reminders have inspired me to add some more influential hip-hop to the scene. Ultramagnetic MC's came out of the Bronx block parties of the 80's sounding like no other group around. Apparently the first group to use a sampler as a live instrument and the first to trust a former psychiatric patient with the mic. Kool Keith's unconventional lyrics and timing along with Mo Luv's danceable break-beats and experimental sound make Ultramagnetic a group that can't be ignored. Their first and best release, Critical Beatdown, may sound dated now but in 1988 it took underground hip-hop by storm.

I'm also offering up Ultra's first studio release in 11-years. Due out in 2007, I was hoping it would remind me of what influenced the underground scene in the 80's and 90's. Unfortunately, it come across as dated and the lyrics forced. There is nothing fresh here. But I offer it up anyway at Sam's request.

Enjoy.

The Who - Odds & Sods

I am also posting The Who "Odds and Sods" a collection of unreleased material, rarities, and outtakes released in 1974. It is a quirky collection of songs that are fun to listen to. Enjoy

The Who - Endless Wire

"Endless Wire" is the first new studio album/original material by The Who in twenty-four years. If you are a Who fan give it a listen. At one time in my life their music spoke to me. It had the right mixture of aggressive rhythms, wild drumming, great base lines, and of course angst lyrics. What more does a young adolescence male need?