quote:

Originally posted by Hisopenedout:
11. Casiotones for the Painfully Alone - Etiquette

Yes!

Sorry about the descriptions, but I had already written them prior to finding this thread. Don't know if it's appropriate or not.

1. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain

The singers' voices are inimitable, indie, and appealling. Texturally interesting without sounding fiddled-with. Lot's of interesting vocal and musical dynamics that come together nicely after a few listens. Understated yet propulsive.

2. Bob Dylan - Modern Times

Lyrically hypnotic, extremely derivative, and completely sublime. Dylan's latest album has him revisiting the same extremely ingrained classic themes that he always has, but his circular rhymes, and his choice jazzy folk-rock backing band will have your head swimming and your mouth cracking a smile.

3. Islands - Return to the Sea

There's a fairly intelligible dark thesis interwoven with these diverse tracks. With the exception, perhaps, of a few less-than-exciting passages, this is a sonically adventurous, insidiously catchy album that comes together very nicely as a whole dispite it's veering amongst styles.

4. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings The Flood

The songs end abruptly. It's not jarring. Neko's voice has as soul of it's own, and her lyrics, while somewhat stream-of-conscious, coalesce into fractured, ditch-running fever dreams. A country album that isn't really country. A good-sounding album that's easy to come back to once it has your attention.

5. Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming

A shambling, rusty-hinged masterpiece full of buzzing, creaking beauty and barely controlled neurosis. There's a caged animal in this music that is sometimes angrily pacing the confines of it's prison and sometimes slumped in the corner in a deteriorating state.

6. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That

Soulfully performed, dancey, indie rock that does in fact sound a bit like The Strokes minus the New York. The singer has some of the same vocal ticks as Britt Daniels (Spoon) and in the same vein, has a shmoozy, wet-mouthed delivery that thankfully doesn't splatter. Tuneful, catchy, with a sliver of extra depth right where it needed it.

7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones

While it may not have the unbridled energy and sponteneity of it predecesor, Show Your Bones manages to bring its songs to satisfying peaks and remains lyrically involving and charismatic all the way through. Too solid, and too knowing to be dismissed.

8. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever They Say I Am That's What I'm Not

Over-hyped? Yes, certainly. Devoid of merit? No way. These songs, while strangely un-tuneful at times, drum up a lot of enthusiasm in a game listener, with their fast clip and virtuoso mid-flight changes. The lyrics paint really convincing portraits of after-dark exploits and the singer has a little bit of whatever Bradly Noel (Sublime) had. The smattering of slower songs surprise by not being filler.

9. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time

Mid-tempo indie rock with a southern glow, Everything All The Time is actually quite unique in the current musical landscape. Yes, these songs do have wide open spaces, but beyond that, they are artfully cunstructed and convincing with subtle hooks and solemn energy.

10. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Kick Your Ass

Hilarious title aside, this band actually seems to take their music pretty seriously. Between Grateful Dead space-jams and one not-too-innocuous ambient track they hunker down and craft sharp classic rock... indie style. Has the ability to transport the listener.

11. Danielson - Ships

This is one of those albums that you'll never get your friends at the bar to listen to. The vocals are high-pitched, nasally, and wierd man. The lyrics are completely bereft of self-deprecating Cobainisms and vaguely preachy. The band is shizophrenic, packed with instruments, and just all over the place. In other words: it rocks.

12. Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies

A mature slab of impressionistic, stream-of-conscious folk-rock that, while a bit on the freaky side, ultimately comes off as classic and even classy. The abundant lyrics are definately the main actor here, but the music has star-power too. Dylan should be proud, because he definately paved the way for this success.

13. The Knife - Silent Shout

Quite frankly, this album doesn't scare me one bit. What it does do is give me a rollicking good time by treating me to a macabre, pitch-adjusted female vocalist howling demonically over fun-house computer beats and broken-spring synthesizers. I finally have something to listen to while I nestle in to knit a black and red scarf for my niece.

14. Tapes n' Tapes - The Loon

The thing about these guys is their handle on their mildly derivative feelings. A thousand other bands could probably play these same songs without much success, but these fellas sound comfortable in their skin throughout this album. Their mature approach to music in general ensures that it sounds organic and alive, with plenty of natural space inside.

15. Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit

While these songs may initially seem like nothing more than a trite distraction, especially to someone unfamiliar with the band, they have a sly wit and a lot of musicality that reveals itself after a few listens. Belle & Sebastian rely on a lot of well-known song-writing and classic-rock musical tricks, but they sound so good, and come off so intelligent that it's easy to forgive.

So, to summerize:

1. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
2. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
3. Islands - Return to the Sea
4. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
5. Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
6. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
8. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever They Say I Am That's what I'm Not
9. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
10. Yo La Tengo - IANAOYAIWKYA
11. Danielson - Ships
12. Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies
13. The Knife - Silent Shout
14. Tapes n' Tapes - The Loon
15. Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit


Have a good time. Have a bad time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: goathouse's enlarging prostate,

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
I haven't seen much love for Asobi Seksu's Citrus other than myself (#2), which is fine, but don't let it be because you haven't heard it. Its an amazing shoegaze/pop album. It goes down easy unlike harsher shoegaze like Serena Manessh (which I also loved.) I was very close to making it my #1. My favorite track is The Red Sea which really showcases their unbelievable hypnotic warm wash of feedback and noise.

I love it. It's already in my top 10 and might sneak its way into my top 5. Brilliant stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by Carlito's Way:
1. The Shining - J Dilla
2. Pac's Life - Tupac Shakur
3. Fishscale - Ghostface Killah
4. Revenge Of The Spit - Ras Kass
5. The Last Stand - Boot Camp Clik
6. 20/20 - Dilated Peoples
7. Doctor's Advocate - The Game
8. The Big Bang - Busta Rhymes
9. Kingdom Come - Jay-Z
10. Game Theory - The Roots

Did you listen to anything else this year besides rap/hip-hop? Half of these albums (2Pac, Ras Kass, Dilated Peoples, The Game and Busta Rhymes) are poor albums not just in the music community's eyes but also the rap community's eyes as well. I have heard zero talk about the Boot Camp Clik album though. And for a list that only has one genre, how can you not have Clipse anywhere and The Roots at the very bottom?

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:


Did you listen to anything else this year besides rap/hip-hop? Half of these albums (2Pac, Ras Kass, Dilated Peoples, The Game and Busta Rhymes) are poor albums not just in the music community's eyes but also the rap community's eyes as well. I have heard zero talk about the Boot Camp Clik album though. And for a list that only has one genre, how can you not have Clipse anywhere and The Roots at the very bottom?

Dude, these are just personal lists with music that people have listened to, and liked, this year. It is for fun. It is not a scientific study based on Metacritic rating. How about we stop questioning people's taste and just let them post what they want?

I might as well post now, since I probably will not be able to get any more records before the deadline. I know of some records (most notably The Decemberists') that will probably be in my absolute Top 20, but, again, not before the deadline. I will post my list with comments in the Best of 2006 thread instead of here.

1. Beirut - "Gulag Orkestar"
2. Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - "Etiquette"
3. Tom Waits - "Orphans"
4. The Knife - "Silent Shout"
5. Hello Saferide - "Introducing..."
6. The Fiery Furnaces - "Bitter Tea"
7. Mastodon - "Blood Mountain"
8. Jenny Wilson - "Love And Youth"
9. Thanasis Papakonstantinou - "I Vrochi Apo Kato"
10. Chainides - "O Giteutis Kai To Drakodonti"
11. Belle And Sebastian - "The Life Pursuit"
12. Sufjan Stevens - "The Avalanche"
13. Cat Power - "The Greatest"
14. Islands - "Return To The Sea"
15. Neko Case - "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood"
16. Peter, Bjorn, and John - "Writer's Block"
17. Calexico - "Garden Ruin"
18. TV On The Radio - "Return To Cookie Mountain"
19. The Liars - "Drum's Not Dead"
20. The Black Heart Procession - "The Spell"

quote:

Dude, these are just personal lists with music that people have listened to, and liked, this year. It is for fun. It is not a scientific study based on Metacritic rating. How about we stop questioning people's taste and just let them post what they want?

Good call. You need to lay off everyone, FragileKidA. People like what they like. Do you want people questioning your list like that? Plus, is it really even critical enough to insult someone or make enemies over?

Here goes:

1. The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
2. Midlake, Trials of Van Occupanther
3. M. Ward, Post-War
4. Yo La Tengo, I am not Afraid of You....
5. The Hold Steady, Boys & Girls in America
6. Richard Buckner, Meadow
7. Sol Seppy, The Bells 1 2
8. Josh Ritter, The Animal Years
9. Nathan Fake, Drowning in a Sea of Love
10. The Thermals, The Body The Blood The Machine
11. Howe Gelb, 'Sno Angel Like You
12. Band of Horses, Everything All the Time
13. Shack, The Corner of Miles & Gil
14. The Twilight Singers, Powder Burns
15. Adem, Love and Other Planets
16. Guillemots, Through the Windowpane
17. Sufjan Stevens, The Avalanche
18. The Brother Kite, Waiting for the Time to be Right
19. Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins, Rabbit Furcoat
20. Bob Dylan, Modern Times

notice omissions TVOTR and Liars. just couldn't get into either.

quote:

Originally posted by goathouse:
Sorry about the descriptions, but I had already written them prior to finding this thread. Don't know if it's appropriate or not.

Personally, I would much rather see some insight and explanation than a simple list, so thanks!

Oh, and good call with the summary at the bottom, too. That has to make RL's life easier!

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quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
Did you listen to anything else this year besides rap/hip-hop? Half of these albums (2Pac, Ras Kass, Dilated Peoples, The Game and Busta Rhymes) are poor albums not just in the music community's eyes but also the rap community's eyes as well. I have heard zero talk about the Boot Camp Clik album though. And for a list that only has one genre, how can you not have Clipse anywhere and The Roots at the very bottom?

"Hey everyone, no one here listens to enough hip-hop. Carlito'sWay, you listen to way too much hip hop. Basically, everyone should listen to exactly what I listen to. I only listen to albums that have meta-scores over 80. My suggestion is that we forget about everyone else's list and use my top 20 as the be all and end all. That way we can all listen to the right music and we'll all get along great"

Sincerely,

FragileKidA

I'm actually a big fan of explanations, especially if it's a band that most people aren't likely to have heard. To me, one of the main points of having these lists is to help other discover new music, and writing descriptions makes that a lot easier.

And as LT said, the summary was a good idea as well.

quote:

Originally posted by mejis:


notice omissions TVOTR and Liars. just couldn't get into either.

Me neither.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
I'm actually a big fan of explanations, especially if it's a band that most people aren't likely to have heard. To me, one of the main points of having these lists is to help other discover new music, and writing descriptions makes that a lot easier.

And as LT said, the summary was a good idea as well.

Oh, crap. Then my posting of the comments separately is kind of redundant. Could perhaps a moderator replace my list in this thread by the one in the "Best Records of 2006" thread?

...I became a bit confused...Should our list be more like a very personnal top 10 or 20 or you expect that people choose a more "objective", from a more critical point of view top 10-20 list about all the 2006 albums? Because sometimes, the critical final score I put on an album is not always the same score compared to my personnal taste. Maybe that kind of question has been discussed before, so sorry to ask again...

I wouldn't say so, M. The only downside of comments here, is it could make RL's tally a little (just a little) more time-consuming. I should have mentioned that I thought your posting a list here and explanations elsewhere was a good idea as well.

Oh, and that your list was really wonderful. I should have mentioned that, too.

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quote:

Originally posted by eggTweedyegg:
...I became a bit confused...Should our list be more like a very personnal top 10 or 20 or you expect that people choose a more "objective", from a more critical point of view top 10-20 list about all the 2006 albums?

Despite the regular topic headings of "Best" this and that, my own lists have always reflected nothing more than my personal tastes, specifically my favorite releases of the year. More often than not I think I could argue that my top five to ten could stand on their own critical merits as well, but I would never defend my list as anything other than the twenty or so albums I liked best over the past twelve months.

I'm always curious what other people are listening too, what they think of their favorite music, and happy to share my own opinions about favorite (and sometimes not so favorite) artists. Do I care what anybody thinks of my own personal taste? No. Not so much. I'll close the books on 2006 as I have most of the past twenty-plus years, having listened to more albums for the first time than the vast majority of listeners may listen to in a lifetime. I have that luxury since music has, directly or indirectly, been a profession as well as a passion. If you ask me, "What are the most critically important albums of the year, decade, century, I'll chime in with a list that probably includes a lot of music I'm not all that fond of personally. Ask me what I think is best and you're stuck with what's best for me and that means I like it.

Now Playing: NPR's Most E-mailed Stories podcast

I agree with LT on that one. Islands - Return to the Sea is my #1 album of the year because it has given me the most enjoyment over the last several months. Do I think it's the KidA or YHF of 2006? No. It's all personal. It's also the most appropriate way to keep everyone's lists diverse.

ok. thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Malondron:
Dude, these are just personal lists with music that people have listened to, and liked, this year. It is for fun. It is not a scientific study based on Metacritic rating. How about we stop questioning people's taste and just let them post what they want?

quote:

Originally posted by Musicalifragilistic:
"Hey everyone, no one here listens to enough hip-hop. Carlito'sWay, you listen to way too much hip hop. Basically, everyone should listen to exactly what I listen to. I only listen to albums that have meta-scores over 80. My suggestion is that we forget about everyone else's list and use my top 20 as the be all and end all. That way we can all listen to the right music and we'll all get along great"

Sincerely,

FragileKidA

quote:

Originally posted by less_success:
Good call. You need to lay off everyone, FragileKidA. People like what they like. Do you want people questioning your list like that? Plus, is it really even critical enough to insult someone or make enemies over?

Everyone says that I start arguments while I think that I post my opinion like EVERYONE else does and then I guess people get so infuriated with what I say that they start an argument with me, along withe everyone's buddies. All I was trying to do was ask Carlito's Way a simple question and to get his insight on why he only has rap and why no Clipse album. It wasn't meant as "starting an argument" or proclaiming my list to be great, or stating that I only listen to above 80 metascores or anything like that--and I never say anything to insulte anyone--actually you guys do by sitting there and writing some dumb letter and saying it's from me; that on the contrary is insulting.

FKA, don't you think it was a tad hypocritical of you to comment on Carlito's Way's list for being all hip-hop, when you were slamming the rest of us on the previous page for not listening to enough hip-hop?

And if everyone is accusing you of starting arguments, maybe you should ask yourself why that is. Hint: The answer is not that we're all out to get you.