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I remember starting this last year, may as well do it again. It would be great to have some discussion about which albums have really stood out for you in 2006. There have been some fantastic releases this year, from both new and established acts, and a discussion would be great if only to draw attention to some great albums which, for whatever reasons, didn't get the publicity or the success they deserved.
I'll kick things off with a few of the albums that have stood out for me:
Yellowcard - Lights and Sounds
I never thought a violin added to a traditional guitar band could sound so good. And just as I thought it peaked, they bring in a full strings section onto a couple of tracks. Wonderful songwriting, heartfelt lyrics and an imperial tonne of enthusiasm add up to a brilliant album which I just adore.
Guillemots - Through the Windowpane
A fascinating soundscape and an album that stands up to repeated listens. The recent Electric Proms performance was mind blowing.
Bertine Zetlitz - My Italian Greyhound
Best pop album of the year. Fact. Zetlitz is to pop kids what Annie is to indie kids. She finally nailed the creepy fairytale motive on this album and through repetition of themes and lyrics it remains incredibly cohesive.
Nelly Furtado - Loose
The most innovative album of the year I'd say, bringing on Timbaland as a producer was one of the best things Nelly/the executives could have ever done. 'Promiscuous' and 'Say it Right' really shine, but top honours go to 'All good things' which is a blast from the Folklore era, produced by Chris Martin (which may not necessarily be a good thing). A beautiful song. There are few letdowns on there though.
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
Obviously this was always going to be there. Always going to be in the albums lists for the year. Always going to be the album that no one can disagree on. The evolution was nothing but extraordinary, but I have gone through long periods of not listening to it which is never the best sign.
And my best of the year, despite not being what I expected at all:
Joanna Newsom - Ys
I was a big fan of hers after The Milk-Eyed Mender, so the first things that hit me about this were the things that it wasn't. Her first album were short, sweet tracks- pretty throughout, but not all cohesive.
Ys is a different beast entirely, and it's not an easy first listen. The album consists of a handful of long (5 I think?) tracks... her voice, a marmite factor in the first place, is even more prominent throughout. And the focus is less on the harp this time (although still as rich and beautifully complex as ever), instead bringing in a full orchestra and some guest vocalists too.
The songwriting is epic. Everything about how a conventional song should work it seems, were forgotten. She threw in shifts of melody, rhythm and tone all over the place. Her voice - wow. More so than on the first album, she goes from cooing like a seven-year old to bellowing like a banshee to holding a note any classically trained vocalist would be proud of. And I don't understand how, but it works.
More than anything else, it makes me think of Joni Mitchell not because they sound similar, but for boldness,ambition and managing to get away with it. Every time I listen I go through a gamut of emotions, I'll catch myself smiling at the cheery bits, hiding my face at the melancholy ones and wearing an expression of confused wonder when she somehow manages both at the same time. Pure brilliance.
Other notable mentions: Thom Yorke - The Eraser, Pipettes - We are the Pipettes, Muse - Black Holes and Revelations, Mars Volta - Amputechture.
I'll kick things off with a few of the albums that have stood out for me:
Yellowcard - Lights and Sounds
I never thought a violin added to a traditional guitar band could sound so good. And just as I thought it peaked, they bring in a full strings section onto a couple of tracks. Wonderful songwriting, heartfelt lyrics and an imperial tonne of enthusiasm add up to a brilliant album which I just adore.
Guillemots - Through the Windowpane
A fascinating soundscape and an album that stands up to repeated listens. The recent Electric Proms performance was mind blowing.
Bertine Zetlitz - My Italian Greyhound
Best pop album of the year. Fact. Zetlitz is to pop kids what Annie is to indie kids. She finally nailed the creepy fairytale motive on this album and through repetition of themes and lyrics it remains incredibly cohesive.
Nelly Furtado - Loose
The most innovative album of the year I'd say, bringing on Timbaland as a producer was one of the best things Nelly/the executives could have ever done. 'Promiscuous' and 'Say it Right' really shine, but top honours go to 'All good things' which is a blast from the Folklore era, produced by Chris Martin (which may not necessarily be a good thing). A beautiful song. There are few letdowns on there though.
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
Obviously this was always going to be there. Always going to be in the albums lists for the year. Always going to be the album that no one can disagree on. The evolution was nothing but extraordinary, but I have gone through long periods of not listening to it which is never the best sign.
And my best of the year, despite not being what I expected at all:
Joanna Newsom - Ys
I was a big fan of hers after The Milk-Eyed Mender, so the first things that hit me about this were the things that it wasn't. Her first album were short, sweet tracks- pretty throughout, but not all cohesive.
Ys is a different beast entirely, and it's not an easy first listen. The album consists of a handful of long (5 I think?) tracks... her voice, a marmite factor in the first place, is even more prominent throughout. And the focus is less on the harp this time (although still as rich and beautifully complex as ever), instead bringing in a full orchestra and some guest vocalists too.
The songwriting is epic. Everything about how a conventional song should work it seems, were forgotten. She threw in shifts of melody, rhythm and tone all over the place. Her voice - wow. More so than on the first album, she goes from cooing like a seven-year old to bellowing like a banshee to holding a note any classically trained vocalist would be proud of. And I don't understand how, but it works.
More than anything else, it makes me think of Joni Mitchell not because they sound similar, but for boldness,ambition and managing to get away with it. Every time I listen I go through a gamut of emotions, I'll catch myself smiling at the cheery bits, hiding my face at the melancholy ones and wearing an expression of confused wonder when she somehow manages both at the same time. Pure brilliance.
Other notable mentions: Thom Yorke - The Eraser, Pipettes - We are the Pipettes, Muse - Black Holes and Revelations, Mars Volta - Amputechture.
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Stadium Arcadium - The Red Hot Chili Peppers
A two disc masterpiece from the American funk-rockers. It really captures the excitement and energy of their live shows which is often lacking on a studio album.
A two disc masterpiece from the American funk-rockers. It really captures the excitement and energy of their live shows which is often lacking on a studio album.
I remember starting this last year, may as well do it again. It would be great to have some discussion about which albums have really stood out for you in 2006. There have been some fantastic releases this year, from both new and established acts, and a discussion would be great if only to draw attention to some great albums which, for whatever reasons, didn't get the publicity or the success they deserved.
I'll kick things off with a few of the albums that have stood out for me:
Yellowcard - Lights and Sounds
I never thought a violin added to a traditional guitar band could sound so good. And just as I thought it peaked, they bring in a full strings section onto a couple of tracks. Wonderful songwriting, heartfelt lyrics and an imperial tonne of enthusiasm add up to a brilliant album which I just adore.
Guillemots - Through the Windowpane
A fascinating soundscape and an album that stands up to repeated listens. The recent Electric Proms performance was mind blowing.
Bertine Zetlitz - My Italian Greyhound
Best pop album of the year. Fact. Zetlitz is to pop kids what Annie is to indie kids. She finally nailed the creepy fairytale motive on this album and through repetition of themes and lyrics it remains incredibly cohesive.
Nelly Furtado - Loose
The most innovative album of the year I'd say, bringing on Timbaland as a producer was one of the best things Nelly/the executives could have ever done. 'Promiscuous' and 'Say it Right' really shine, but top honours go to 'All good things' which is a blast from the Folklore era, produced by Chris Martin (which may not necessarily be a good thing). A beautiful song. There are few letdowns on there though.
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
Obviously this was always going to be there. Always going to be in the albums lists for the year. Always going to be the album that no one can disagree on. The evolution was nothing but extraordinary, but I have gone through long periods of not listening to it which is never the best sign.
And my best of the year, despite not being what I expected at all:
Joanna Newsom - Ys
I was a big fan of hers after The Milk-Eyed Mender, so the first things that hit me about this were the things that it wasn't. Her first album were short, sweet tracks- pretty throughout, but not all cohesive.
Ys is a different beast entirely, and it's not an easy first listen. The album consists of a handful of long (5 I think?) tracks... her voice, a marmite factor in the first place, is even more prominent throughout. And the focus is less on the harp this time (although still as rich and beautifully complex as ever), instead bringing in a full orchestra and some guest vocalists too.
The songwriting is epic. Everything about how a conventional song should work it seems, were forgotten. She threw in shifts of melody, rhythm and tone all over the place. Her voice - wow. More so than on the first album, she goes from cooing like a seven-year old to bellowing like a banshee to holding a note any classically trained vocalist would be proud of. And I don't understand how, but it works.
More than anything else, it makes me think of Joni Mitchell not because they sound similar, but for boldness,ambition and managing to get away with it. Every time I listen I go through a gamut of emotions, I'll catch myself smiling at the cheery bits, hiding my face at the melancholy ones and wearing an expression of confused wonder when she somehow manages both at the same time. Pure brilliance.
Other notable mentions: Thom Yorke - The Eraser, Pipettes - We are the Pipettes, Muse - Black Holes and Revelations, Mars Volta - Amputechture.
I'll kick things off with a few of the albums that have stood out for me:
Yellowcard - Lights and Sounds
I never thought a violin added to a traditional guitar band could sound so good. And just as I thought it peaked, they bring in a full strings section onto a couple of tracks. Wonderful songwriting, heartfelt lyrics and an imperial tonne of enthusiasm add up to a brilliant album which I just adore.
Guillemots - Through the Windowpane
A fascinating soundscape and an album that stands up to repeated listens. The recent Electric Proms performance was mind blowing.
Bertine Zetlitz - My Italian Greyhound
Best pop album of the year. Fact. Zetlitz is to pop kids what Annie is to indie kids. She finally nailed the creepy fairytale motive on this album and through repetition of themes and lyrics it remains incredibly cohesive.
Nelly Furtado - Loose
The most innovative album of the year I'd say, bringing on Timbaland as a producer was one of the best things Nelly/the executives could have ever done. 'Promiscuous' and 'Say it Right' really shine, but top honours go to 'All good things' which is a blast from the Folklore era, produced by Chris Martin (which may not necessarily be a good thing). A beautiful song. There are few letdowns on there though.
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
Obviously this was always going to be there. Always going to be in the albums lists for the year. Always going to be the album that no one can disagree on. The evolution was nothing but extraordinary, but I have gone through long periods of not listening to it which is never the best sign.
And my best of the year, despite not being what I expected at all:
Joanna Newsom - Ys
I was a big fan of hers after The Milk-Eyed Mender, so the first things that hit me about this were the things that it wasn't. Her first album were short, sweet tracks- pretty throughout, but not all cohesive.
Ys is a different beast entirely, and it's not an easy first listen. The album consists of a handful of long (5 I think?) tracks... her voice, a marmite factor in the first place, is even more prominent throughout. And the focus is less on the harp this time (although still as rich and beautifully complex as ever), instead bringing in a full orchestra and some guest vocalists too.
The songwriting is epic. Everything about how a conventional song should work it seems, were forgotten. She threw in shifts of melody, rhythm and tone all over the place. Her voice - wow. More so than on the first album, she goes from cooing like a seven-year old to bellowing like a banshee to holding a note any classically trained vocalist would be proud of. And I don't understand how, but it works.
More than anything else, it makes me think of Joni Mitchell not because they sound similar, but for boldness,ambition and managing to get away with it. Every time I listen I go through a gamut of emotions, I'll catch myself smiling at the cheery bits, hiding my face at the melancholy ones and wearing an expression of confused wonder when she somehow manages both at the same time. Pure brilliance.
Other notable mentions: Thom Yorke - The Eraser, Pipettes - We are the Pipettes, Muse - Black Holes and Revelations, Mars Volta - Amputechture.
Page: