My personal top 10 ... remember, music is the most subjective of the arts.
10. Mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You
Melding the sun-dappled world of 70's folk-pop with a sharply produced pop record that engagingly exceeds the earnest shine of similar outfits like Phoenix.
9. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
If you're in the freak-out-jam camp of Sonic Youth fans this one probably won't please, but for those of us who appreciate the sub 5-minute version of their tension/release style with a glittery bow this is the perfect present.
8. Psapp - The Only Thing I Ever Wanted
A "kitchen-sink melody" reference here likely refers to sounds you'd hear from your kitchen sink ... a gurgle or splash or clank that forms the percussive or melodic backbone to a particular tune. Even more amazing is that the songs hang together so deftly that the sampled source material is a secondary consideration.
7. Mylo - Destroy Rock and Roll
A true driving record on par with the best of Daft Punk or Vitalic. Which means plenty of danceable tunes filled out with lethally sharp hooks, knowing samples and (occasionally) delightful vocals.
6. Zapruder Point - It's Always The Quiet Ones
The left-field winner of the year. The tunes are likely not far from the lo-fi verve of the originals, combined with sharp lead vocals, some well-placed backing vocals and even the odd violin here and there it feels like one of those once-in-a-lifetime accidents of energy that just can't be manufactured.
5. The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes
The 60's US girl group sound is a favorite of mine, and the Pipettes take the spirit and energy of those tunes and thematically update them for the new century. The original girl group tropes of undying loyalty or unending crushes are replaced with one-night stands and flirtatious come-ons, one of those rare records where a promising concept gets a proper execution.
4. Tortoise & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Brave and the Bold
Probably the biggest surprise on the list for me, a covers album collaboration by two bands that separately have never been chart toppers for me. "Thunder Road" was the beacon that lured me here, their storming Springsteen revision is a pure home run.
3. Jesus H Christ - Jesus H Christ and the Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse
JHC don't try to shift reality, instead creating their own brand of grounded observational humor that questions our everyday social practices. There's a consistent theme at play here, as the lead singer can't quite believe that men are such willing targets for females intent on achieving their own goals.
2. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
Their don't-give-a-crap-what-you-think creative streak has been re-stoked, resulting in an album that darts from 10 minute long krautrock meets Sun-Ra inspired jams to plaintive folk tunes and VU blasts of druggy fuzz. There are few bands that can handle the sonic shifts as deftly as YLT and if it's all about the moments, you'll find them all here.
1. Futureheads - News & Tributes
While Wire and XTC namedrops are certainly accurate points of reference, lumping these guys in with the rest of the post-punk revival obscures the fact that they indeed are their own band, pounding out original and embracing tunes regardless of
the era. The guitars are grittier and vocals a bit less polished, but the songs are just as intricately performed and well-written as their wonderful debut. It's to the point now where I prefer this to the original, something I never would have predicted upon first listen.
Topic: Best new album of 2006 (Read 8869 times)
