Thursday, December 28, 2006

Our Friends' Favorites of '06

While the staff of N&UR work day and night to complete our "best of 2006" lists, here's a rundown of some of the favorite albums from our partners in crime...

Allison, Just My Opinion
Through the Windowpane
The Guillemots

"Each time I listen to this album I fall more and more in love with it. Today, my favourite song is 'Redwings.'" (Runners up: Show Your Bones, Yeah Yeah Yeahs; The Crane Wife, the Decemberists; Atlantis - Hymns for Disco, K-OS; News and Tributes, The Futureheads; Best Stop Pop, The Oohlas; Broken Boy Soldiers, The Raconteurs; We Are the Pipettes, The Pipettes; Trompe l'oeil, Malajube; Eyes Open, Snow Patrol; Awoo, The Hidden Cameras; Cuff the Duke, Cuff the Duke). Read "Top Picks of '06."

Barbara, Bad Tempered Zombie
The Crane Wife
The Decemberists

"The Decemberists make me glad to be alive. As long as people can make music like that, the world is still a beautiful place .... I have been listening to the Decemberists a lot lately, and in particular I have been fascinated by one song, "The Crane Wife Pt1," which to me is so perfect that it's almost painful to listen to. (Runners up: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Neko Case; The Eraser, Thom Yorke).

Arthi Meera, solo artist
Rabbit Fur Coat
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins

"I love anything Jenny Lewis touches. I like listening to this album right after the very first Rilo Kiley record and hearing how much she's grown as a vocalist." (Runners up: Gang of Losers, the Dears; Let's Get Out of This Country, Camera Obscura; High Society, the Bees; Ys, Joanna Newsom). Arthi's favorite concerts of '06: 1). Sigur Ros, 2). The Dears, 3). Jenny Lewis, 4). Nada Surf, 5). We Are Scientists.

Nick and The King, Rewriteable Content
Ys
Joanna Newsom

"It is understandable how many have had trouble with the ascent up Newsom’s peak but those that have taken the challenge have gotten lost in its crevices and valleys with their secret chambers of story and treasure. Ys is a masterful collection of montages of story telling adventure wrapped together with the playful tickle of Newsom’s tongue and lyric and the imaginative orchestrations of Van Dyke Parks." (Runners up: Drums Not Dead, Liars; Boys and Girls in America, the Hold Steady; Shut Up I'm Dreaming, Sunset Rubdown; Six Demon Bag, Man Man; Gulag Orkestar, Beirut). Read The Ten Best Albums of 2006, along with Nick's Personal Favorites and The King's (Extra) Picks for 2006.

Jamie, karaoke revolution/bad movie club
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Neko Case

"This cd did not leave my small office stereo for three months. I think my cubicle mates wanted to punch me towards the end of it's run. I would put the song 'Star Witness' on repeat for hours at a time. I guess re-reading this, I would want to punch me too." (Runners up: Lets Get Out of This Country, Camera Obscura ("There isn't a song on this album I don't like. I purchased this right before I left for my London trip and it seemed appropriate. Dreamy!"); Ys, Joanna Newsom ("The song 'Emily' is amazing. Ms. Newsom's lyrics are always amazing. This album is amazing!"); The Best Party Ever, the Boy Least Likely To ("Technically this is not an '06 album, but I don't care. This makes my list. I read Will's posts about them and bought the album. I like to be a huge dork and dance around my apartment to 'Be Gentle with Me.' Too bad 'Monsters' isn't on Karaoke Revolution, because I would kick some ass and probably score diamond"); Pink, Boris ("This album turns me into an aggressive driver, but is ultimately best suited for trips on the road. Looking over the rest of my list, I am surprised I enjoyed this album as much as I did. 2006 was the year of a mellow, poppy Jamie and this album was always on hand for my angry, angsty days. 'Farewell' and 'Blackout' were my song favs)).

Aaron Sunshine, The Passionistas
B'Day
Beyonce

"[I]f nothing else, the most focused, angry and consistent album I've heard- it's a straight shot of rage and desire from the first moment B starts to sing- the tremble of her voice when she talks about seeing her lover everywhere. I feel like the Jay-Z flow is like a little warm-up to get you ready for the tidal wave. The pre-quake, you know? It's also an 'ALBUM' like Pet Sounds or something- every song is connected and it tells a story about someone losing there lover, and what happens to a relationship, how someone gets twisted and bitter. It tracks the evolution, how fitful and startling it can be as you get twisted into shapes you never wanted to be. (Runner Up: Hell Hath No Fury, Clipse).

Ben Heller, The Record Room
Through The Windowpane
The Guillemots

"[A] phenomenally unique culmination of Fyfe Dangerfield's undeniable songwriting talent, a prized possession. The overall sound is like nothing else, top songwriting supported by ingenious instrumentation and produced with an affectionate attention to detail you'll rarely hear on any album this year." (Runners up: Black Holes and Revelations, Muse; Broken Boy Soldiers, the Raconteurs; The Corner of Miles and Gil, Shack; Damaged, Lambchop; The Warning, Hot Chip; The Trials Of Van Occupanther, Midlake; Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, Arctic Monkeys). Read Ben's Guillemots review.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was a good year for music, wasn't it? Thanks for indulging my Decemberists' obsession. I'm really looking forward to N&UR's list and I shall be expanding my own.

Anonymous said...

My goal for '07 is to make everyone listen to the Guillemots. Looking forward to reading your best of list. Next year I really need to put more thought into mine.

Anonymous said...

That's a most venerable goal, Allison. I plan to make everyone listen to Nickelback. KIDDING! But I do have a list of bands that I want to get to know better next year.

Anonymous said...

I've got myself a rather long list of '06 albums I need to give their proper due ...

first, I need to see what these Guillemots are all about, plus the Rapture, Grizzly Bear, Joanna Newsom, TV on the Radio, the Thermals, the Knife, ack it's a lot.

And of course I want the whole world listening to the Passionistas.

Anonymous said...

I need to hear these Guillemots as well! Allison's plan is working.

Anonymous said...

Excellent (said in mr.burns voice), glad to see my plan shaping up.

I gave Joanna Newsom a try this summer, but it really didn't take. I have taken a liking to TV on the Radio as of late, 'Wolf Like Me' finally wore on me. Took awhile though.

Anonymous said...

That's what I get for being to busy for words. Missed out on all the fun. Great list gang.
New's Years Resolution...try and be more interactive. Yes, that seems to be the perfect one.