quote:

Originally posted by philosopherEric:
But he's got no problem with The Decemberists' apparently misogyny by re-telling the tale of the Crane Wife.

How is The Crane Wife mysogynistic? Maybe the protagonist takes advantage of his wife by making her weave, but she leaves him in the end and he is genuinely remorseful.

quote:

Originally posted by philosopherEric:

quote:

Originally posted by Art Vandelay:
(I do get the impression on this board that if I say something that's misinformed, I will be rebuked more harshly than if other people say something that's misinformed.)

I also think you're paranoid, because a whole lot of people get called out for a whole lot of stuff on these Forums, all the time.

Yeah Art Vandelay dont worry about being picked on. I felt like all of my posts were getting eating alive and picked to shreds--it happens.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:
I'm not jumping on you Art. I'm just a fan of Craig Finn's lyrics, and I seriously think you're not getting it. If I seriously thought there was misogyny in the Hold Steady's lyrics I'd say so. But, they're not KISS or Two Live Crew. In the case of "You Can Make Him Like You", the irony in the lyrics is pretty clear if you actually listen to what they're saying.

And ok, we get it you love that album and that band. Do you have to mention it in every single thread?

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Originally posted by FragileKidA:

And ok, we get it you love that album and that band. Do you have to mention it in every single thread?

What else am I going to talk about?

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Originally posted by Troy:
Since we're on the subject of The Hold Steady and their lyrics, maybe some of you can help me out.

I just discovered The Hold Steady and picked up both Boys and Girls in America and Separation Sunday. I love both albums, but I was wondering what was all the religious imagery about in Separation Sunday? Is the connection between drug use and religion meant to be ironic? I love the songs Cattle and the Creapy Things and How a Resurection Really Feals, but I think I might not be getting the point.

I don't think that connection is meant to be ironic at all. Holly (Hallelujah) seems to be both a (devout?) Catholic AND a druggie, and there seems to be some kind of tension there. "Cattle and the Creeping Things" certainly seems to offer some critique of Christianity, but I never get the impression that you're supposed to think that Holly doesn't hold true to her faith.

quote:

Originally posted by Troy:

quote:

Originally posted by philosopherEric:
But he's got no problem with The Decemberists' apparently misogyny by re-telling the tale of the Crane Wife.

How is The Crane Wife mysogynistic? Maybe the protagonist takes advantage of his wife by making her weave, but she leaves him in the end and he is genuinely remorseful.

Well, on the front end, it simply shows a man mistreating a woman, even if it ends well. Doesn't even TELLING the story encourage that sort of behavior???

My bigger point was that it's NOT any more misogynistic than "You Can Make Him Like You" is, in that it's a story, not an endorsement of a lifestyle.

Disclaimer: I neither endorse nor support the mistreatment of women, cranes, or indie-rock songwriters.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
A new album that are really impressing me at the moment:

Liz Durrett - The Mezzanine

Piano, guitar, and spare drums together with her amazing and emotive voice make this one a winner. Nothing catchy here, just really intense singing and good music. Probably top 15, though this one needs more time. It's one of those albums that's gonna take a while to find out it's true greatness I think.

Just found out that this chick's Vic Chesnutt's niece. Apparently, he recorded her first record.

quote:

Originally posted by philosopherEric:
Disclaimer: I neither endorse nor support the mistreatment of women, cranes, or indie-rock songwriters.

Lol! Is that all indie songwriters in general, or just certain ones? I'm sure there's one or two you'd like to abuse.

quote:

Originally posted by philosopherEric:

I don't think that connection is meant to be ironic at all. Holly (Hallelujah) seems to be both a (devout?) Catholic AND a druggie, and there seems to be some kind of tension there. "Cattle and the Creeping Things" certainly seems to offer some critique of Christianity, but I never get the impression that you're supposed to think that Holly doesn't hold true to her faith.

I've put some thought into this over the last 24 hours. I think that there's something more to it than that. I don't think you name your main characters Hallelujah, Gideon, and Charlemagne without driving at a deeper point. So, here's what I've come up with.

Charlemagne was an early king of France that was a protector of Rome and spread Christianity throughout Europe. In Separation Sunday, Charlemagne is a pusher. One pushed religion, the other pushes drugs.

In Cattle and the Creeping Things, there are lots of comparisons between drug use and religious texts. I think the whole story of that song is about people who become born again in rehab, and how they have an interesting perspective on religion. (Are the characters in the song meant to be Charlemagne and Holly?).

I think that Finn is trying to say that kids turn to religion and drugs for the same reason - that they are seeking something ascendant to take them out of their normal realities.

On the other hand, maybe I'm just making too much of it.

quote:

Originally posted by Troy:
I don't think you name your main characters Hallelujah, Gideon, and Charlemagne without driving at a deeper point. So, here's what I've come up with.

Charlemagne was an early king of France that was a protector of Rome and spread Christianity throughout Europe. In Separation Sunday, Charlemagne is a pusher. One pushed religion, the other pushes drugs.

Interesting theory, although Charlemagne's been around since Almost Killed Me, which didn't feature the relious subtexts that Seperation Sunday did.

These are my choices for record of the year!

I am not a crtic and after reading this, i would like you to do your own reseacrh by listening to these albums.

As i wasn´t registered within the 2 months for the main list i did my own with no critics bias just my own. The trouble is on this site and peoples opinions is that they all read critics reviews then form their own opinions. Half the critics (publications) on here don´t even listen to the albums in full and breeze through the albums and only listen to key songs!

Whereas myself has listened to these albums in full written a brief synopasis and then the reader of this list should go and find out more.

Also listen to some of these albums after a while since they have been released and notice how good or bad they are then.

So check this list out also some recommendations what is not good and what is at the end too

1. Raul Midon-State Of Mind- Amazing album, a great musician and wonderful songs (which are positive and not banal lyrical content) really shows that this can be done and no over use of production but good ole music skills and musicianship. Highly recommended and then when you have the chance watch him Live you will not be disappointed.

2. Amy Winehouse-Back To Black-Great album infact the best soul album this year(makes you wonder what the f*ck the americans are up to), i was not keen on ¨Frank¨ the first album but this album has surprised me and i would highly recommend this album to anyone. Great voice and catchy songs, which feel like they are from Motown vaults, not a bad song on it and it isn´t too long (Kelis take a hint from this a 20 track album isn´t great! it´s boring unless you have variation like Red Hot Chilli Peppers album (next!)

3. Red Hot Chilli Peppers-Stadium Arcadium-In my opinion their best album since Blood Sugar Sex Magic, some say too long, but the quality shines through, freat guitar work and their harmonies are magnificient and very catchy songs in fact what is surprising is their is better songs on the album then been released currently. Worth getting this year and if not hear this album and buy it you won´t be disappointed

4. Squarepusher-Hello Everything-Sqaurepusher albums are very hit and miss but this works , very organic and mixes the album feed me weird things and the later offerings to great effect. Very melodic for expermnetal electroinc music and inventive, please checkout and if you don´t own or obtain this buy ´Feed me weird things´ too.

5. The Roots-Game Theory-Best album since things fall apart, do not get why this has not done well (maybe def jam didn´t put much marketing budget behind it and spent on Jay-z tripe comeback album kingdom come) catchy songs, great prodcution form questlove and a excllent concept, if you love hip-hop buy this album not jay-z´s or the other mediocre crap this year.

6. Guillemots-Through the Windowpane-Kooky, off the wall big arrnagements reminds me alot of the big ELO/ELP/Yes stuff but great songs and well arranged and even after repeated lsitens i find something new everytime. Should have won the mercury music prize if ever an album deserved one, can´t wiat for the next one.

7. Outkast-Idlewild-Disappointing compared to previous albums but musically this is so far ahead of the pack like the roots album it should be more listened to and some clever arrangements which make this a great album to buy and really doesn´t need the film for it to work (however i would recommend the film also because of it´s visual context)

8. Ali Farka Toure-Savane-A great musicians last album and worth buying in tribute to his talent, great melodic blues songs froma legendary performer, a talent which shall be missed and if you buy this album and work on backwards. Important to the Mali music scene like Fela Kuti was to afro-funk in Nigeria.

9.Yusef Islam/Cat Stevens-An Other Cup-A comeback album which feels like he has never been away, songs which feel so familar but are actually new, heartwarming and thoughtful and very melodic songs. Highly Recommended and worth again like Ali Farka Toure working backwards from this album.

10.Lupe Fiasco-Food & Liquer- A talent like this should be known more about a man who has a gift for words like Q-tip, production which is fresh and new and songs with bite and meaning from a hip-hop album, i was surprised! Even if you are not into hip-hop get this you wonñt be disappoiny¡ted and if you are into hip-hop this works for undergorund backbackers and comercial heads, makes you wonder how this has not sold more?


Others for consideration

J-Dilla-The Shining

Artic Monkeys-Whatever people say i am I´m not

Keane-Under The Iron Sea

Joanne Newsome-Ys

Rapture-Pieces of people

Amel Larrieux-Morning

Before you ask there is no Justin Timberlake (where are the songs? too much production), Nelly Furtardo (ditto, infact both Justins and Nelly Furtardos albums are timbaland beat albums with them singing on them), Janet Jackson (ditto,and poor but not as bad as Damito Jo), Beyonce (still hasn´t done anything better then crazy in love), Jay-Z (should have stayed retired, very avergae album for him), Chritina Aguerilla (too much style not enough musical substance), Kelis (too long and too much filler, but key songs are good), Razorlight (overated boirng and no intersting songs), Beck (very disappointed with this album, he needs a rethink and the album was too long), Gnarls Barkley ( one great song ´Crazy´ doesn´t equal a good album), Bob Dylan ( legend, not a great album compared to previous work) Scissor Sisters and The Killers ( disappointing second albums with no real great tracks) as these albums all disappointed me and i am glad i heard them first as i would have wanted my money back buying them if i had.

Albums to look for in 2007 from new and named artists

Mos Def, Talib Kwelli, Maxwell, Mr Hudson & the Library, Bjork, Lina, Raul Midon, DÁngelo and A Tribe Called Quest seperately (rumoured)

Since you re-posted your list here, I'm deleting the old thread.

quote:

Originally posted by philosopherEric:
Since you re-posted your list here, I'm deleting the old thread.

Fine no problem, at least i haven´t had a negative comment from you like two others here i shall not name on the previous old thread!

I shall check your best of 2006 albums if you have done so?

Here is my synopsis of what I think of each album on my list, comments are more than welcomed:

1. Muse- Black Holes and Revelations ~ #1 with a bullet for me. Superb from start to finish, correctly ordered with a great combination of slow and fast, soft and loud, great ballads, and great music in all. Not to mention that it is book ended with the best opener and closer of the year.
2. Joanna Newsom- Ys ~ Such a beautiful piece of music. The five tracks on this album can’t even be justly called “songs” but rather, pieces of music. The arrangements are lush and diverse, the lyrics are intelligent and poetic and the gorgeous music is so far ahead of anything else.
3. Ghostface Killah- Fishscale ~ It is really hard to say what hip-hop album was the best of the year. Clipse came on late with an amazing head-turning album but Ghost’s effort is just so sound. His distinctive “crying” style is full of so much energy, the striking beats are provided by super producers and the beats that J Dilla exclusively gift-wrapped for Mr. Starks are admirably employed on “Whip You with a Strap.”
4. Neko Case- Fox Confessor Brings the Flood ~ The best album by a new pornographer—but just by a bit. Her voice is just so remarkable and stunning; they are the best female vocals on any album released this year. Some people say that this album is too meticulous but I see it as an artist that is at the top of her game.
5. Destroyer- Destroyer’s Rubies ~ With that being said I can’t wait for the next new pornographers’ album. Both of these artists are clearly making their finest music and they are both gifted and exceptional musicians. The music on this album is so easily enthralling that it simply knocks your socks off. This album along with Fox are clear evidence that The New Pornographers are the preeminent—if not the only—super group around.
6. Clipse- Hell Hath No Fury ~ Pick out ANY of these twelve blistering, skeletal, and gripping tracks and it has the potential to be the best hip-hop song of the year. The Neptunes showcase their producing chops while Clipse simply add sharp rapping with a style that is indubitably unparalleled.
7. The Decemberists- The Crane Wife ~ This is their best album to date and the sky is the limit for them. With The Crane Wife, The Decemberists have kind of broken onto the mainstream crowd and their outstanding music is finally getting some recognition. Even the really long tracks are absorbing and evoke an understated brilliance in Colin Meloy’s songwriting.
8. Tom Waits- Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards ~ So what if less than half of it is unreleased material, so what if it is three discs, and so what if it is $35+? Tom Waits is still writing some of the best music around. Not just riding his credibility like a certain other musician, Waits knows how to make beguiling music that anyone can love and enjoy. My favorite moment is “If I have to go” which is the most picturesque ballad of the entire year.
9. The Roots- Game Theory ~ Another gem to add to their already excellent repertoire. A true return to form for them that features some of the best work of their career—not to mention that Malik B is back! The Roots are still the best hip-hop band of their time, it is just upsetting how they are constantly dismissed and/or overlooked. When will this underrated act ever see its equitable fruition?
10. M. Ward- Post-War ~ An album that is noticeably influenced by many of Bob Dylan’s great works, however it is so much greater than Dylan’s 2006 effort. Featuring assistance from Neko Case, Jim James, along with members of The Decemberists and The Thermals, M. Ward excels with understated, smart songwriting. The addition of being backed by a full band also helps showcase Ward’s talents as a singer-songwriter.
11. The Knife- Silent Shout ~ This one literally just came out of nowhere for me. I never thought that I would like something like this as much as I do. With its spectral and creepy music, it is an entirely tremendous, accomplished piece of music.
12. Islands- Return to the Sea ~ Here is the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah of the year, and although I am going out on a limb—it just might match it—if not surpass it. It’s much more refined than a lot of the indie stuff out there and with great loopy, energetic music, Islands are unrivaled.
13. The Strokes- First Impressions of Earth ~ The word underrated fits adequately here as well. The Strokes make steadily good rock music and yet they are seldom recognized. This album sounds like they were trying to escape the music of their first two releases and although it is very dissimilar, it is still solidly good.
14. J Dilla- The Shining ~ All you can wonder is how much better this would have been had Jay Dee perfected it himself (which he would have, being that he was a classic perfectionist.) Featuring distinguished artists like Common, Black Thought and Dwele, The Shining only helps confirm what a hip-hop giant Dilla was.
15. Yo La Tengo- I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass ~ You really can’t say much more about Yo La Tengo other than the standard fact that they always bring their A-game. They have already released two or three masterpieces and they continue to churn out imposing albums. The first track alone is proof that Yo La Tengo can carry on to make albums as long as they want.
16. Cat Power- The Greatest ~ The matured musicians add to this album and the songs are some of the best that Cat Power has written.
17. Lupe Fiasco- Food and Liquor ~ A genuine hip-hop effort from a young MC that will only continue to get better. Though the critics didn’t quite tend to it as was first anticipated, Fiasco still delivered a good album that features the best Neptunes beats that didn’t land on the Clipse album.
18. Beck- The Information ~ Another critical addition to Beck’s already mounting catalog. He already has two, maybe three, classics under his belt and this album is a nice addition.
19. J Dilla- Donuts ~ What a first-rate jewel Jay Dee left us. Not only was The Shining later finished and released but Dilla worked up this album on his death bed and gave us 31 brilliant beats to feast on for years. The Roots and Ghostface Killah already ate up two of these donuts; hopefully the other 29 are justly used.
20. The Killers- Sam’s Town ~ Simply a guilty obsession—hated their first album, like this album. I know that they are egotistical, conceited, narcissistic punks, but I do like this album. Plus it has two of the best songs of the year (“When You Were Young,” “Bones”) and five or six other decent/good songs.

I've been championing The Hold Steady album for a while as album of the year....

But there's probably no greater album in my life this year than Night Ripper. It soundtracked hardcore dancing to at least 4 parties this summer, as well as the back-seat parties during a roadtrip I took with some friends in a gas-guzzling Range Rover (!) It's a situational album. At certain, there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING that can beat Night Ripper. And by certain times, I don't mean only at parties - any times when I need some energy and happiness.
I just saw yet another Girl Talk feature on P4K (god Ryan loves Greg G.), and it got me in the mood again.
And plus I just got asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance (not in my khaki pants. Lame still, I know) and the girl gave me the best fucking candy ever - homemade chocolate covered gummy bears.

Night Ripper has been getting played over the loud speaker at my school every morning.

Has anybody else here heard the Eric Bachmann album, To the Races? I just listened to it again today, and realized how freaking incredible it is. It's jumped to my top 5. Ericg, you said you were a Crooked Fingers fan. Have you heard this one? I don't think it's been on anybody's list so far.

quote:

Originally posted by joji:
Night Ripper has been getting played over the loud speaker at my school every morning.

How? Why? Huh? You're 15 right? Isn't Night Ripper a little dirty to be played over high school loud-speakers.?

quote:

Has anybody else here heard the Eric Bachmann album, To the Races? I just listened to it again today, and realized how freaking incredible it is. It's jumped to my top 5. Ericg, you said you were a Crooked Fingers fan. Have you heard this one? I don't think it's been on anybody's list so far.

I've listened to it a good amount. It's a good album, but never hit me the way some of the crooked fingers albums (or archers of loaf for that matter) do. Have you tried Barton Carroll's album Love and War? He plays in Crooked Fingers a lot, and his album is very much in the same style.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
Has anybody else here heard the Eric Bachmann album, To the Races? I just listened to it again today, and realized how freaking incredible it is. It's jumped to my top 5. Ericg, you said you were a Crooked Fingers fan. Have you heard this one? I don't think it's been on anybody's list so far.

I've heard a few tracks, but haven't been able to get my hands on the whole thing. It seems okay, but like KLT said, it doesn't seem as good as Archers of Loaf or Crooked Fingers' Red Devil Dawn.

quote:

Originally posted by BContrat:

quote:

Originally posted by joji:
Night Ripper has been getting played over the loud speaker at my school every morning.

How? Why? Huh? You're 15 right? Isn't Night Ripper a little dirty to be played over high school loud-speakers.?

I'm 14, and nobody says anything about the profanity. The president who does the announcements happens to love Girl Talk.