Top Albums of 2006: Part 1
Not the Best Albums of 2006 but they were Albums of 2006. It’s tough to squeeze a year of music in to a list. I guess it’s a lot easier when you’re capable of describing a drummers symbal hit in a 100 different ways. Online journals and the writers for those journals truly have a gift. One that I wish I was born with but unfortunately, I have trouble grabbing complex words and phrases out of the air like these cats – Pitchfork, Stylus, Filter, etc).
However, after giving props to some of the albums I’ve picked up this year and kept in the listening rotation, I’ll share my picks for the best ten albums of the year, which is just down right ridiculous. I tried to have a little bit of everthing on top of the two that no doubt fit in the top tier level.
So lets start things off, shall we…
Note: To purchase an album, click on the album image.
Website: www.davidpajo.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/davidpajo
Download: “We Get Along, Mostly”
Alternative and indie rock afficiando’s know David Pajo from his days with the band Slint who put out a couple of albums towards the late 80’s and early 90’s. Pajo recently joined a metal group, Dead Child, during their fall tour. But you’ll find very little metal in 1968. On occasion there is some rocking out like on the song “We Get Along, Mostly”, but for the most part it’s a smooth ride and I highly recommend soothing your ears to this gem.
Webiste: www.thebrightblackmorninglight.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/brightblackmorninglight
Download: “All We Have Broken Shines”
“Ohhh, yeah.” That’s what I want to just say when I listen to Brightblack Morning Light. And not just a normal, “Oh, Yeah”, but one that sounds like I’ve just taken a hit off of one of these things and as soon as I settle back in to reality my first comment is, “Oh, yeah.” Brightblack’s music is about as chilled out as you can get. If you got any more chilled out you might not even have music, you would just have a calm hissing sound slowly wooshing by your head, just tickling the little hairs in your ear giving you the chills. So, if you have a lazy chair and like to zone out for 50 minutes, buy their self-titled debut.
Webiste: www.capitolyears.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/thecapitolyears
Download: “You Can Stay Here”
One of the more recent albums in 2006 I got my hands on, this Philly based band really stands out as a band with a strong future. Their music will no doubt catch the years of many music fans and even your casual music listener. I envision their albums will only get better and the hype will only get greater. Many reviews relate the singing style of Shai Halperin’s to Beck but the music itself has a Beatle / 1960’s feel to it.
Webiste: www.7l-esoteric.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/7lesoteric
Download: “The Most”
Boston is an interesting place when it comes to original bands. You have a ton of bands up here that all sort of sound the same. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of talent but it’s almost as if they’re not taking risks. Then there’s 7L and his partner and crime, Esoteric. These fellas came out with A New Dope and just completely rearranged their approach towards hip hop. It was a risk but one that I feel paid off. Even their die hard fans were confused and upset. But if you’re a fan of music that bounces, flows and has a ton of humor, then you’ll fall head over heels for this hip hop outfit from good old Bean Town.
Webiste: www.wearemanman.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/wearemanman
Download: “Engwish Bwudd”
Take out the trash, bring home the bacon, make sure the kids are safe and your wife is happy cause you’re the man of the house. But even the man has to find time to unwind and let loose. This is where we find our favorite bar band Man Man. Everyone keeps talking about The Hold Steady as the ultimate bar band. I beg to differ. Man Man belong in a dingy old bar, with an old western piano, slightly out of tune, and in the background you’ve got a poker game going, a bunch of guys yelling at each other at the bar and patting each other on the back and doing as much womanizing as they can possibly mustar. Oh, and if you failed to see Man Man on tour this year, you missed one of the best shows of the year.
To be continued…
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About Editor
Name: Luke "Kip" Owen
Location: Boston, MA
Contact: kippy[AT]hip2besquare[DOT]net
Twitter: twitter.com/kipdog
Youtube: youtube.com/kipdog
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