Top 10 (Purchased or Otherwise Acquired) Albums of 2006

It's time once again for my (un)famous Top 10 list. Started last year, it compiles the Top 10 albums I purchased or otherwise acquired during the year. I don't always buy a lot of newly released albums, and somehow find myself behind the curve buying old ones. So, I have a good mix of old and new for the whole year. Because, as I always say, if I haven't heard it, it's new to me.

This year I purchased or otherwise acqured about 37 albums. Trying to narrow down the list was hard, but I think I finally managed. Admittedly, three of the albums on the list are by the same artist, but sometimes that happens, and I apologize for the, perhaps, lack of variety. But, just a thought, the albums do offer variety. It's why they're on the list. So without further ado, I give you the

Top 10 (Purchased or Otherwise Acquired) Albums of 2006

10. Augustana, All the Stars and Boulevards, (Sony 2005) – This album was added to my collection a few days before the end of 2006, and I’ve only given it a few listens, but I can tell that it’s actually a very decent album. It’s kind of pop-y but still maintains some semblance of rock (something that seemed to be lacking this year). Actually, they sort of sound like the Fray. Or the Fray sounds like them. They actually both came out around the same time. Decent lyrics, decent guitars, fun plinky pianos. It’s good. Better than a lot of what I found this year. Recommended Tracks: #4 Boston; #5 Stars and Boulevards; #9 Sunday Best.

9. Under the Influence of Giants, Under the Influence of Giants, (Island 2006) – This little gem was sort of found by accident. I won a Best Week Ever CD from Old Navy over the summer featuring UTIOG’s first single “Mama’s Room.” It was… different. It was rock, but it had this funky disco feel. It was great, refreshing. And when I purchased the album, I found out that all of their songs are the same way. The tracks on this album are new and fun. The lyrics are, at times, a little irking (like talking about having sex in your mother’s room, and enjoying the effects of the morning-after pill), but looking beyond that, you have a pretty kick-ass record. They’re also pretty cool guys (the bassist especially, haha). Recommended Tracks: #1 Ah Ha; # 2 Got Nothing; #5 Mama’s Room.

8. Radiohead, The Bends, (Capitol 1995) – Okay, I remember some of these songs. Nostalgia always plays a part in liking something. But that’s not the whole case with this album. Having always been a so-so fan of Radiohead, this album actually showed me what I was missing. The sound really does embody what I remember of the 90s, heh. The mellow but rock sound mixed with the always intriguing lyrics of Mr. Thom Yorke create an enjoyable musical experience. Great for just hanging out or driving around town. Recommended Tracks: #3 High And Dry; #4 Fake Plastic Trees; #8 My Iron Lung.

7. Travis, 12 Memories, (Sony 2003) – Another album found by accident. Browsing through the depressingly small rock collection at the local library, I came across an album by a band whom I had heard of but had never heard. Listening to it on the way home, I was reminded of the words of Chuck Klosterman (an intriguing music and pop-culture writer) when he said that Travis was just a mediocre copy of Radiohead. And that Coldplay was a mediocre copy of Travis. Well, he may be correct, but being a fan of both other bands already, Travis was a good find. The guitars are almost haunting, as are the vocals, throughout the entire album. The music provides for an almost enlightening experience. Every subsequent track seems to fit like a puzzle piece. Recommended Tracks: #1 Quicksand; # 4 Peace The Fuck Out; #10 Happy Hang Around; #11 Walking Down the Hill/Some Sad Song.

6. Editors, The Back Room, (Kitchenware 2005) – A few words come to mind when trying to describe the sound of this album. Taunting and haunting are two. Rhyming aside, these two words only begin to paint the picture that is The Back Room, the band’s debut album. And for a first effort, it is not at all disappointing. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it’s rock the way rock should be. The music is hard and fast, loud and fervent. And the lyrics are the same. Their sound is similar to that of Doves, and perhaps even the Killers (maybe), and maybe even Radiohead (and the likes), but Editors are somehow refreshingly rock. It’s definitely an album I was glad to find (listen to the first few lines of “Munich.” My sentiments exactly). Recommended Tracks: #2 Munich; #3 Blood; #4 Fall; #7 Fingers in the Factories; #8 Bullets.

5. Josh Rouse, Subtitulo (Nettwerk Records 2006) – This is another album that barely made the cut-off. Though I had heard of Rouse in years previous, and I had heard and liked one song (not on this album), I was not too familiar with him when this album was released. After listening to a few other records, I finally decided that I was ready for the most recent, post-Rouse-moves-to-Spain album. I wasn’t really sure what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. This is so much better. The sound is more like 2003’s 1972 than 2005’s Nashville, which makes sense seeing as Rouse now lives in Spain, where soul is in the water. The music is funky and moving, and the words are, as always, delightfully simple but incredibly insightful. Even the instrumental track gets you humming along. Recommended Tracks: #1 Quiet Town; #3 It Looks Like Love; #4 La Costa Blanca; #6 His Majesty Rides; #9 The Man Who…

4. Josh Rouse, 1972 (Rykodisc 2003) – This album was actually semi-recommended by my favorite Manifest employee. After discussing Rouse a bit and listening to some of his songs, (and being the only used Rouse CD in the joint at the time) I decided to purchase it. An outstanding mix of rock and soul, this album instantly become one of my favorites. It’s perfect for that afternoon, or late night, of just relaxing. The music is funky and mellow all at the same time, while the lyrics suggest something deeper. Metaphors of love lost and detached loneliness are worded in ways that make you think “damn, I wish I thought of that.” Recommended Tracks: #4 James; #5 Slaveship; #6 Comeback (Light Therapy); #9 Sparrows Over Birmingham; #10 Rise.

3. Damien Rice, 9, (Heffa/Vector/Warner Bros. 2006) – This album was the brilliant follow-up to Rice’s 2003 album O (#1 on last year’s list). As expected, Rice delivered with his unique brand of heartwrenching melodies and lyrics. Rice’s vocals are perfectly complimented by Lisa Hannigan’s again on this album. Together their voices are too haunting to not leave an impression. Perfection in an album, is what this is. Though most of the songs are quiet and calm, mellow, like with O, there are a few songs featured on this album that provide just a little more life, with just as astonishingly sad lyrics. Depressing is too strong a word, but sometimes that feeling is needed. And this album gives it like no other (except maybe O). Recommended Tracks: #1 9 Crimes; #3 Elephant; #4 Rootless Tree; #5 Dogs; #7 Me, My Yoke, And I.

2. Chris Whitley, Dirt Floor, (Messenger Records 1998) – Another recommendation from the record store employee (so helpful!). He handed it to me and I headed over to the little listening station set up in the store. Now this album was different. The very first track on this album starts with a twang of strings that is way more country than anything I own. But surprisingly, it’s enjoyable. Whitley’s deep voice, mostly soft and smooth, with the ever so slight rough inflection seriously cascades over the melodies. And the liner notes actually include “foot stomp” with “vocals, guitar, banjo” as Whitley’s contributions to the album. How can you not like the foot stomp? Probably one of the most enlightening albums I’ve ever heard. The lyrics, the music. Overall, and enjoyable album. I can hardly find the words. Recommended Tracks: #1 Scrapyard Lullaby; #2 Indian Summer; #5 Ballpeen Hammer; #8 Dirt Floor.

1. Josh Rouse, Nashville, (Rykodisc 2005) – What can I say about this album? I purchased a lot of Rouse albums this year (four), but this has definitely got to be my favorite. I bought it sometime in August, and it’s January of 2007 now, and I still have not grown tired of it. iTunes labels it as country, and you can definitely hear sounds indicative of the album’s namesake, but the overall sound of the album strays away from that stigma. Rouse’s sweet, but slightly raspy voice floats over the upbeat melodies. It’s the last album he recorded as a resident of the United States (though released after he had moved), and those sort of end-but-beginning emotions can be felt throughout. Though more solidly rock (and country, I suppose) than the albums previous (1972) and after (Subititulo), Nashville is invigorating while still being able to maintain a tranquil tone. It’s great music that makes you happy you’re alive to hear it. Recommended Tracks: #1 It’s The Nighttime; #3 Streelights; #4 Carolina; #6 My Love Has Gone; #8 Sad Eyes.


Honorable mentions include both Cary Brothers EPs – All the Rage and Waiting for Your Letter; Built to Spill, You In Reverse; Snow Patrol, Eyes Open.