2006 was another good year for music. I attended SXSW in Austin, Lollapalooza, Intonation, Pitchfork and The Hideout/Touch & Go Party, plus some other local outside stuff. I went to other shows at most of the local venues, probably not as much as other years, but enough that you probably saw me out at some point. I doubt I'll see quite as much next year.
For the CDs that were in my player the most, they're listed below in no particular order.
The Life Pursuit by Belle & Sebastian: You'll have to go back to the first week in February for this one. If you remember back that far you might remember that you played that CD every day for a month. Almost perfect pop, with fresh and rich songs throughout.
Everything All The Time by Band Of Horses: Contains my favorite song of the year, the nearly anthemic "The Funeral". There are a few misses, but overall the dense and mostly mid-tempo songs are loud and raw, extremely full and layered.
News & Tributes by The Futureheads: More grown up than their last and just as catchy. Energetic Post-Punk for the masses.
Inside In / Inside Out by The Kooks: I don't approve of the way that their people are trying to get these guys on American Top 40 radio. None the less, they have an endearing pop sound all their own.
Return To Cookie Mountain by TV On The Radio: The album that's on everyone's list. Rightfully so. They've went back to the sound of their earlier EPs and have added creative and atmospheric elements for probably the biggest and ambitious album of the year.
Putting The Days To Bed by The Long Winters: An Indie version of Michael Stipe? I think they're a little more Okkervil River, more complex and full. Nice to see someone bring the rock back to Indie.
The Loon by Tapes 'n Tapes: Not sure all the songs stand on their own, but the full CD covers many forms of Indie Rock and for that I love it.
This Harness Can't Ride Anything by Chin Up Chin Up: My local music entry for 2006. Less quirk, more pop. Smart and intriguing all the way through.
Gang Of Losers by The Dears: What's a list without an entry from Canada? Moody and intense, very dramatic and offer a wide range of emotions.
The Warning by Hot Chip: Great harmonies, up-tempo dance floor fun. I call it this year's LCD Soundsystem.
Yes, Virginia by Dresden Dolls: If I were making a "Best Of" list I'm not sure this one would be on there and I'm not sure that I'll love this CD a year from now. You are not going to find a more elaborate drum and piano duo than Amanda and Brian. Their cabaret blend of alternative and bizarre I found fulfilling and throughly creative. "She's the kind of girl who leaves her condoms on the bedroom dresser, Just to make you jealous of the men she fucked before you met her".
Oh yes, there are others too. Arctic Monkeys, Phoenix, Rapture, Hold Steady, Decemberists, Built To Spill, Dirty On Purpose, Asobi Sesku, Thom Yorke and The Editors. See you at the next show!
i can't figure out why everyone loves TV on the Radio. just doesn't do it for me. yours is the second list i've seen tapes on tapes hit tho. i bought it but not sure i ever got around to listening to it, so i'll have to check it out now! :)
Posted by: carolyn | December 13, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Oh hey! Just checked this list out. I agree Return to Cookie Mountain should be on everyone's list.
Posted by: K. | December 13, 2006 at 02:23 PM
I love TVOTR. Soul meets rock meets ??? I like my music mostly up tempo, so this one fits in perfectly.
Posted by: Bill V | December 13, 2006 at 02:43 PM