Well, the year is quickly coming to an end and I thought I would do some best of type things until the end of the year. Or maybe I’ll just do this one. I don’t know how time is going to be for the next week, so, we’ll just see.
I wanted to do a best of on albums for the year. I don’t know if the numbers will really mean anything, but I’ll try to put them in some semblance of order as I work my way through.
10 - Tom Waits - Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards
It’s Tom Waits. The man has been around forever and he still manages to come up with new and interesting music. Normally, Tom Waits is not my cup of tea, but I enjoyed this album. When an artist can transform enough to go from my “Well, if I don’t hear it I won’t feel bad” list to the top ten of the year, it impresses me.
9 - Tom Petty - Highway Companion
I’ve always liked Tom Petty despite the fact that I’m not really one for the smoky treats. This album is easy to listen to straight through and leaves you feeling fairly upbeat. The catchy music that Tom Petty is known for and the down to earth lyrics make this an album that really means something. I think this album will outlive the shininess of being new and thrive in a world of ever-changing music and bands. Kudos Tom Petty. Kudos.
8 - The Decembrists - The Crane Wife
Melodic and interesting, this album is on many people’s top tens for a reason. Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting to like this album as I’m not normally into the whole indy scene. (I’ve been mistaken for a Jewish Middle Aged Lesbian often enough without wearing a Belle and Sebastian shirt or Doc Martens.) But, the lyrics of this album make me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. It makes me thankful I have a robust vocabulary and some musical aptitude. I don’t know if I would appreciate this album if I didn’t possess those things. This is an album for musicians who read a lot.
7 - The Killers - Sam’s Town
When the lead singer of this band proclaimed that this would be the best album produced in the past 20 years and would be produced in the next 20 years, I scoffed. In fact, it made me want to kick him in the nuts. Arrogant prick. But, people still listen to Oasis and other asshats who front bands, so I decided to give this CD a listen. While not the best album in the past 20 years by any stretch of the imagination, it was a good album. However, based on this performance in a second album, I strongly suspect that The Killers Third album will fall into the third album stereotype and be crap. This one is quite listenable and a few of the songs are catchy. I especially like the fact that “he didn’t look like Jesus”.
6 - Keane - Under the Iron Sea
This album took a little while to grow on me. It doesn’t have the angsty “I want to curl up and die” vibe as their first album, but it is probably a better album. The songs stay with you once you hear them a few times. It was different from what I was expecting and overall, this is quite a good album. I think this may be one of the most underappreciated albums of the year in fact. it came out and then faded away. Give it a second and third listen and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
5 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show your Bones
I have to be honest, before this album this band was a blip on my angry chick music radar. They are not that talented as musicians. This album was a lot of fun. When I found myself humming “Gold Lion” in the lab after listening to it on the way to work, I knew I had to get the album. I like this album a lot. There are several songs on it that are catchy, a little bit poppy and make you want to bounce while still clinging to the angry chick band category. I like it. They aren’t The Raincoats or L7, but this is really a fun album.
4 - Tool - 10,000 Days
I make no secret about being a Tool fan. I love the complex melodies and underlying ethereal harmonies. I love his voice and I connect with the lyrics. As with most Tool albums, you forget that 8 minutes is normally a long ass song. Each song is dynamic enough through the course that it absorbs you and takes you into the mind of the band. You are transported to their state of being. This album is quite nice. With “Wings pt 1” and Wings pt 2” you find yourself almost flying through the music. This is probably Tool’s best album since Aenema.
3 - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
One thing I appreciate about the Chili Peppers is that they are able to adapt to the times and still remain true to their own form. This double CD album is a mix of upbeat funky grooves and slower melodic tunes. I will be honest, CD #1 is better than CD #2, but as a whole, the album was by far one of the best albums of the entire year. There is enough variety in the album that you can listen to it without getting bored. There is also enough depth in the album that you don’t have to be a 14 year old boy to appreciate it.
2 – KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope
Alright, I know this album actually came out in 2005, but it was imported to the States in 2006. Still, this album holds it’s own for both 2005 and 2006. I love this album. I love the versatility of Tunstall’s voice. I love how the music is so layered and intricate. I love how you find something new to enjoy on the album every time you listen to it. If all musicians had 1/10th the talent she had, we would be wallowing in excellent music. I love her rich voice. To me it sounds like rough wood, sanded and polished to a smooth gloss then formed into the most comfortable chair you’ve ever owned. Her voice is not only nostalgic, but also fresh. Of course, from what I understand, her music either something you love, or you hate. Well, I love it.
1 - My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade
If Freddy Mercury was still alive, Queen would have put out this album first. Sure, the singer doesn’t sound a god damned thing like Freddy Mercury, but this album is dipped in the school of the highest caliber glam rock. Pure and simple. This album takes you through the rollercoaster of emotions felt when facing death. Each voice in the album is different, yet the whole tone of the album is the same. I know there have been albums that presented better music, better lyrics and better talent this past year, but this album remains my favorite.
Posted by Utopia at December 26, 2006 10:49 AM
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