Finally, My Top-Ten Favorite Albums of 2006

    This has been quite a year, hasn't it? And I don't just mean musically. However, musicologically* speaking, it's been pretty wonderful. I've discovered more great new bands and artists this year than any before. I know, that sounds hyperbolic, but it's true.
    Not only have I found new musicians to love and enjoy, I've found a whole new community of people who also have this love and passion for music. And best of all, they like to share their music with others! So thanks to everyone whose blog I read this year or who sent me a song and whose generosity of spirit introduced me to all this goodness. It's been a real pleasure.
    OK, sappiness is over. Down to business. Let me explain my criteria for these albums to make the list. Number one, I actually own them. Yep, I have strict standards. And I really like the whole thing. I've bought a number of albums this year after hearing one or two songs only to be highly disappointed with the whole record. So anything here is recommended in its entirety. And lastly, I'm not making any claims about any of these records being "the best" of the year. They're simply my favorites. The ones that meant the most to me. The ones my family got sick of hearing over and over and over again . . . .
10. Supernature by Goldfrapp This one's for my husband, who tells me he really likes this stuff, and I think it must be true, because he can actually identify it when it's playing, which is usually NOT the case. I like it too, of course. It's synthy and sexy and smartly does exactly what it sets out to do--which is to seduce you, of course. "Fly Me Away" mp3.
9. From the Cliffs by Guillemots The Guillemots really launched me on my way this year. "Trains to Brazil" is such a powerful track, and Fyfe Dangerfield's musical genius takes that song and the rest of the album to places I'd not visited before. The rest of the band's not too shabby, either, and together they explore melody and rhythm and meaning with the kind of zest for life you don't always feel from other groups. "Who Left the Lights Off, Baby?" mp3.
8. Return to Cookie Mountain by TV on the Radio Ah, Tunde Adebimpe, you have raised the bar for all other performers. I must confess that I don't absolutely love this album, but I'm including it because the songs I do love I really love, and after seeing them in concert, I was blown away by their power and intensity. TVOTR is definitely one of the best finds of 2006. "Hours" mp3.
7. How We Operate by Gomez Gomez is like a gift that your first impression of is "Oh, I think I already have one of those, thanks anyway," but upon reflection, you realize, hey, this is not what I thought it was, it's much deeper and richer and long-lasting, and now you can't imagine why you ever thought it was anything else. "How We Operate" mp3.
6. Bring Me the Workhorse by My Brightest Diamond Wow, talk about musical brilliance and someone whose soul is evident in every note she sings. Shara Worden is without a doubt the best female singer I heard this year. What am I saying, she's one of the best singers I've ever heard. I love the way she combines elements of classical music and pure rock 'n roll, both in her vocals and the music. I can't wait to hear what she does next. "Something of an End" mp3.
5. Curse Your Little Heart by Devotchka I know it's only an EP, and an EP of almost all covers, but it's got more great songs on it than a lot of full albums do. I can't explain why these songs make my heart ache the way they do. Maybe it's the strings, maybe it's Nick Urata's emotional delivery, maybe it's the gypsy-flavored melancholy that infuses the music. Who cares? In the end, all I care about is hearing more from them--and seeing them in concert. They seem to avoid Philadelphia for some reason. "The Last Beat of My Heart" mp3.
4. Dreamt For Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain by Sparklehorse I find I have a lot in common with Mark Linkous, fortunately and unfortunately. I'm taken with this album for the melodies and the dream-like feelings it invokes. It's got its sad moments, but it lifts me up, too, and not in a forced way. It's an extremely gentle reminder that eventually, everything will be OK, which is about the best I can hope for right now. And that's why I love this. "Some Sweet Day" mp3.
3. The Great Big Sea by Beat Radio Yes, I love this album this much. Every time I hear it, I discover a little bit more about it. For instance, the last time I listened to it all the way through, I was struck by the recurring images of dreams and stars and the sea. It's so well written. Every phrase rings true emotionally and musically. It's a well-known fact that I am an indie-rock addict, and this serves as a perfect example of everything that keeps me hooked. "Mexico" mp3.
2. Shut Up I Am Dreaming by Sunset Rubdown Up until a month or two ago, this might have been my number one pick. There really was no other album released this year that sounds like this. Spencer Krug writes on a whole other plane than most musicians, and the warbling wonder that is his voice sounds like no other. I'm not always sure what he's singing about, but I know he makes me feel, and that's what matters to me. "Shut Up I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings" mp3.
1. Begin to Hope by Regina Spektor I picked this as my number one because I needed to. I need to hold tight to the idea of beginning to hope. It's not a perfect album, I don't listen to it every day, I simply need it. The beauty of her piano playing, the audacious way she uses her voice, the stories she tells, they all give me something to hold on to as I face the future. And that's really the best thing any music can do, you know? Give you hope. "Samson" mp3.
    So there you have it folks. I'm sure tomorrow I'll remember something else that I should have said or included or whatever. But that's OK, right? I mean, it's a work in progress, life, that is, and all I can do is trust that the process and journey will reveal what I need to make it through.
Buy all these lovely items at amazon, except, of course, for Beat Radio, which you can get from their website. I just realized I've seen 4 of these bands live--that's pretty good for me. And of course, I have one honorable mention. I finally got my Pink Nasty cd in the mail, but as it's too late for me to really listen to it properly and absorb it, I'll save it for next year. But I have a feeling I'm going to love it, so think of it as number 11--that's right, my list goes to 11.
*thanks mentok

tags: goldfrapp  guillemots  tv on the radio  gomez  my brightest diamond  devotchka  sparklehorse  beat radio  sunset rubdown  regina spektor  

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