I've been looking through the discussions, but the quantity of music recommended is overwhelming. I have Yahoo Music Unlimited, which makes it easy to search for an album and just click play - but there are 56 freakin pages of "Best of 2006".
I don't want to be repetitive and make another thread about the exact same thing, but I do want to narrow the list down to make it more manageable:
To do this would you please,
a) List exactly ONE album from 2006 that you think is the best or deserves a listen.
b) Don't list an album that has already been noted. If your favorite was Danielson and that is already there, go down to your second favorite, and so on.

To start off, I would recommend "Drum's Not Dead" by Liars. It is a very spacey concept album and is hard to follow. Ultimately it is enjoyable and worthwhile, though.

TV on the Radio's "Return to Cookie Mountain" is a joyous and depressing mix of electronica, rock and hip/hop that blends to make an album that brings a new edge to the indie genre.

Bruce Springsteen: We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

Play it LOUD and often.

RICHARD BUCKNER - MEADOW

As of now, it's getting my vote for album of the year, and that probably won't change.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
Bruce Springsteen: We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

Play it LOUD and often.

Agreed. The songs are just filled with so much life. John Henry, O Mary Don't You Weep, Mrs. McGrath, yeah the whole thing is just great.

Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.

My favorite album of the year so far, and probably won't be taken out. Her lyrics are great, her voice is beautiful, and it's hard to find a kink in any of the album (I will say that the opening song is the weakest, but all the others are brilliant).

i could not agree more, pak. i am seriously in love with this album, and that comment about the first song is spectacular! wow, we should exchange songs or something, your taste seems remarkably similar to mine.

Guillemots' Through The Windowpane is a stunning collection of beautiful music from a group of true originals.

Yeah, Neko is amazing. My pick for best so far is:

Islands - Return to the Sea. It is just so sunny, with so many instruments all over the place, and it goes in a lot of different directions without being difficult. I also think that the song Rough Gem is the best indie-pop song of the year, hands down. The breakdown near the end is ridiculously awesome. Not the most challenging, intelligent or original album of the year, but certainly the most enjoyable. Especially in the summer time.

The Twilight Singers - Powder Burns. A terrific rock album with a cohesive theme and stunning songs. Greg Dulli has never sounded better.

As much as I want to list Josh Ritter's Animal Years, I'm gonna go ahead and recommend:

I See Hawks in L.A. - California Country

A great 'cosmic country' album, that is not only excellent in its own right, but has had me pulling out all my burrito bros. and beachwood sparks albums as well, which has led to a lot of good listening lately.

quote:

RICHARD BUCKNER - MEADOW

As of now, it's getting my vote for album of the year, and that probably won't change.

I gave up my downloading habit last year, so I won't be hearing this till it is released, but this doesn't make the wait any easier.

This thread is totally unnecessary. Just take a look at the Best of 2006 list and see what's at the top of everybody's lists.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
This thread is totally unnecessary. Just take a look at the Best of 2006 list and see what's at the top of everybody's lists.

Actually, I disagree that you should look at the best of '06 thread. That thread is not only filled with list, but a mass of other various comments that's up to 56 pages by now. That's at least 1100 posts! It is a bit much to try and sludge through 56 pages, and I would never expect someone to do that. I can see why people are seeking out a shorter thread.

However, I do think this thread is probably a bit redundant because there is already a cherry picker thread and a three album thread available. But I personally think any thread is still a good thing as long as people are discussing great music.

If the problem is the other discussion that goes on in the Best of 2006 thread, then someone should just create a thread called 'Best of 2006: Lists Only.' I think I'll do that and put these other superfluous threads to rest.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
If the problem is the other discussion that goes on in the Best of 2006 thread, then someone should just create a thread called 'Best of 2006: Lists Only.' I think I'll do that and put these other superfluous threads to rest.

I'd just as soon you not, thankyouverymuch.

Now Playing: Fresh Air

Oops, too late, LT. Any particular reason not to? If nothing else, it'll serve the same purpose as the 'Best Records of 2005 (Final Lists of Metacritic Participants' thread did last year. In fact, I've already made some comments about it in the thread. I'll do all the calculating this year since TFIF indicated he didn't want to and no one else volunteered.

I think starting the Best-Of lists for 2006 is fine, but any thread will eventually get filled with as much banter and discussion as the main thread. The more superfluous threads that get started, the more there will be to read. The fact that the 'main' Best of 2006 thread has 1100 posts doesn't seem to me to be a strong reason to start a new thread for the same thing.

Here's my suggested compromise:

1. Close this thread, as it duplicates the Cherry Picker thread and the Three Album threads almost exactly. Closing it will eliminate the duplication.

2. Use RL's new thread to post your up-to-date 2006 lists and try to keep discussion and criticism on that thread to a minimum. Ideally, that thread should be ONLY used for your FINAL year-end list, but it's way too early for that.

But I'll wait for feedback from ya'll.

I don't care for this thread for exactly the reasons that have been articulated before and for the fact that I find it unfortunate that people have so little regard for what the other members have had to say before them. It seemed to go over well with the other members, though, so I let it stand. pE, however, is right in his assessment, which is probably reason enough to close it.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
Oops, too late, LT. Any particular reason not to? If nothing else, it'll serve the same purpose as the 'Best Records of 2005 (Final Lists of Metacritic Participants' thread did last year. In fact, I've already made some comments about it in the thread. I'll do all the calculating this year since TFIF indicated he didn't want to and no one else volunteered.

If the purpose of opening a thread was to cut down on the chatter of the other Best of 2006 thread, I don't think that's a compelling enough reason. If you don't want the chatter, just stare at the Metacritic scores and be done with it.

Creating the new thread with the intent of starting this year's Year End list, though, is an excellent idea, RL. Thanks for stepping up and helping out and let us know if there's anything we can do to support you.

Now Playing: "Crazy" Gnarls Barkley St. Elsewhere

Although I kind of appreciate the idea of a recommendations/lists thread with no banter, it's never going to happen. Others have tried and failed too many times to count. Look how much banter we've already accumulated on the first page of this "lists only" thread.

The "Final Lists" thread from last year was cool, but I agree that it's a little early to start that. I think there may be an album or two released in the next five months that I'll like enough to include on my year end list.

We're just 2/3 done with the year. Waay too early for EOTY rankings. Ratatat's new shizz hasn't even come out! I like the idea of this thread, even though the last few posts have been OT.