quote:

Originally posted by Illiniq:

To me the most overrated aspect of the album isn't Newsom, but the string arrangements doen by Dyke Van Parks (or Park Van Dike or whoever).
That kind-of timeless acoustic string feel has been attempted before, to wildly greater success, on 60s classics ASTRAL WEEKS and FOREVER CHANGES.

Agreed.

Artic Monkeys will probably suffer from the British music press's habit of over praising a bands first major release, and them dumping on anything they subsequently release. I feel sorry for them already.

Scott Walker I found inpenatrable.

Ys I loved. I heard her first album briefly, but didnt get it - this one I got. I actually think it was the best release in 2006 (though I never voted it number 1). To me it is interesting that an album that is arguably not rock (whatever rock is) could do well on these boards - shows something good I dont see around my home town.

Savanne was the top rated album on metacritic this year - but I never really got - though I have other abums in this style. I liked the title track a lot.

^^^ Well, looks like they like thier 2nd album just as much as the first.. hopefully I'll like it more.

I didn't know there was so much dislike for Ys.. when did that happen, cause on the end-of-the-year list it's pretty damn high up.. it's my #3 also. Maybe you gotta be open-minded.. I think the only reason I got into her is cause I listen to Bjork.