Air: Pocket Symphony single
It seems fitting to start things off by introducing a single from one of the albums off the “most anticipated” album list of 2007. If you’re a proud owner of the Air collection - Premiers Symptomes (you must be very proud if you own this one), Moon Safari, 10,000 hz, Talkie Walkie - you’ll probably be jumping all over their forthcoming album, Pocket Symphony (if you haven’t already jumped on it). My introduction to Air didn’t come from Moon Safari, their first critically acclaimed album, but rather from Talkie Walkie. So you can imagine I’m a bit bias when it comes to their sound. In Talkie Walkie they were more accessible and a ton more poppy then on Moon Safari where they found exploration and experimentation to be their main focus. 10,000 hz is an album in between that doesn’t quite no where it’s going. There are wonderful moments on the album and some might even argue it’s their riskiest album to date. But with their new installment, Pocket Symphony, we’re taken far deeper in to Air’s dark side and sarcastic side.
With the addition of Jarvis Cocker and The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon, we stray away from Talkie Walkie quite a bit. The latter album brought along some hard hitting singles like Surfing on a Rocket (watch video on YouTube). Some of you may remember this track from a Nissan car commercial. But Pocket Symphony offers us no real pounding moments. There are only a few tracks that could have been on Talkie Walkie, “Napalm Love” and “Mu du Japon.” The latter being one of my favorite moments on the album.
But it’s tough for me to make too many more passing judgments about the album. I’ve got a couple more listens in me yet till I make my decision. I do like the subtle nuances of Asian music. According to Stereogum Nicolas Godin has been taking some music lessons from this guy apparently from Okinanwa. In “Mu du Japon” you get the full taste of their Asian influences. The first single off the album, “Once Upon a Time”, is a good introduction to Pocket Symphony. The main chorus is a bit hocky for me, “I’m a little boy, your a little girl, Once Upon a Time” but the overall tone sets the mood for the album. It’s a soft ride and reflects more early day Air rather than the Talkie Walkie sound.
Important Info: Album releases in the US on March 5th and February 5th in the UK Pre-Order from Amazon (US) or Amazon (UK) Myspace Page and listen to the single, “Once Upon a Time” Official website
Top Ten Albums of 2006
Here we go. I won’t bore you with any philosophical introduction as I have a tendency to do. Lets jump right in to it and then get back on track in 07 with a new website design and focusing on the coming year in what I anticipate to be a year where indie rock staples come out with some of their best material to date. Should be fun.
10. - M. Ward “Post War”
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Website: www.mwardmusic.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/mward
Download: “Chinese Translation”
One of two albums in my top ten that came to my knowledge just a little over a month ago. Some might say that you need more time than a month to decide if an album will be a stand-by album for time to come. Thats essentially what these lists are all about. It’s not really the best albums of 2006 rather a visionary list. I envision that every album in my top ten will be with me until time will tell. I have put Post War on when I can’t think of anything else. I’ve sat back in my car, in my living room or in the coffee shop and listened to the whole album almost without realizing. I’ve always had a sweet spot for singer/song writer music. From Nick Drake to less complex artists like Josh Ritter, I’m always finding time for this style of music. I look forward to discovering more m. Ward music and rediscovering as my musical listening career wanes on.
9. - Six Organs of Admittance “Sun Awakens”
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Website: www.sixorgans.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/sixorgans (Note: not an official myspace page. This is a fan page. They have no page of their own.)
Download: “Bless Your Blood”
Earlier we discussed the essence of the band Comets on Fire and how I feel their contribution to music is helping to bring back the true blues and rock sound. Well, I guess maybe not the “true” sound in the sense that they resemble Led Zeppelin but the basic structure of their music is formed around the blues with rocked out guitar sound. Here we have another installment of Ben Chasney’s ingenious rock anthem music. When an album can put me in a trance for a period of time long after the album is over, there is no doubt in my mind it will be a staple album down the road. In Sun Awakens, Ben brings together haunting and enchanting tribal music with psychedelic rock. His vocals float over the music almost to the point where you can barely recognize he’s singing. If you’re curious where he gets his influences, all you have to do is go to his website, www.sixorgans.com, and click on Communique and you’ll find Ben’s favorite guitar jams (via YouTube). Hands down, my favorite solo from this list, AC/DC.
8. - Gnarls Barkley “St. Elsewhere”
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Website: www.gnarlsbarkley.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/gnarlsbarkley
Download: “Who Cares?”
It’s interesting, a lot of the albums I find myself retreating to when all else fail are commonly albums I didn’t enjoy at first listen - Illinois, Cellar Door (Vanderslice), We Are Little Barrie (Little Barrie). And then there are albums like Twin Cinema that I love at first but have now almost forgotten about. St. Elsewhere is an example of an album that at first I put to the side. Maybe it was because I heard “Crazy” for 1 millionth time and thought I would throw up if I heard Cee Lo’s voice one more time. But once I started to jam out the entire album in the car I started to jam it out at home and during parties. From start to finish (and maybe a skip over “Crazy” every now-and-then) this album has a lot going for it. Cee Lo and Danger Mouse are truly on to something hear and I hope they keep collaborating. There is room to grow and the possibilities seem endless from where I’m standing.
7. - Junior Boys “So This Is Goodbye”
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Website: www.juniorboys.net
Myspace: www.myspace.com/juniorboys
Download: “So This is Goodbye”
Something about soft electronic grooves that gets me every time. Maybe the subtle 80’s synth beats are what grab me with So This Is Goodbye or maybe it’s just a fantastic album. I had picked up Last Exit earlier this year as well and thought the album had a lot of songs that didn’t really go anywhere and all seemed to sound the same. I felt at times, if they just added a few more notes here and there on the tracks that the album would be stellar. Well, once I saw their new album come out and the critics going nuts, I had to jump on it. Without disappointment, the critics were dead on and Junior Boys came out with a cleaner, more precise album for their second go around.
6. - Ghostface Killah “Fishscale”
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Website: www.defjam.com (Ghost Page)
Myspace: www.myspace.com/ghostface
Download: “9 Milli Bros. Ft. Wu Tang Clan”
There are certain ingredients that a rap artist must acertain before he or she can come out with an album like Fishscale. First, you need to be introduced to the world through a gang of collaborator rappers. Second, you need to completely vanish from the public eye while your gang breaks away to accomplish successful solo careers. Third, you need to be as sly and whimsical as Ghostface Killah. There is nobody out there right now that I can think of who flows as smooth as Ghostface. Nor is anyone out there as consistent with their albums as Ghost. No, really, I listen to Pretty Tony just as much as Fishscale. But there are tracks on Fishscale that warrant the album one of his best albums to date. 9 Milli Bros. was my pick for the song download because to me it’s one of those tracks ingenious enough to push Fishscale in to the rap album heavens. He brings his gang for the ride and as usual, their playfulness comes alive as the beat drops and they all come in with the first few verses and the song takes off from there. It doesn’t take long for the Clan and Ghost to take what is basically just one sampled beat, a few piano keys and a vamped guitar line to turn this song in to pure gold.
5. - Neko Case “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood”
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Website: www.nekocase.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/nekocase
Download: “Hold On, Hold On”
I was a little late to the party on this album as well. Both Neko and A.C. Newman invaded my iPod late in the year. I was and still am a fan of The New Pornographers but I must say, A.C.’s and Neko’s solo work might be a couple notches higher on the music listening scale in my book. In the Fox Confessor all that did it for me was “Hold on, Hold on”. Her voice sends chills up my spine and this one in particular gives me the chills. Now, I know, some of you may be saying, what about The Greatest. How come I don’t see that album in the top ten. Well, I may have only been listening to this album for a month but I literally just got Chan’s album. I just couldn’t see myself mentioning an album I’ve really only listened to once.
4. - Band of Horses “Everything all the Time”
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Website: www.bandofhorses.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/bandofhorses
Download: “Our Swords”
We had our fourth Thanksgiving Party this year and one of the first albums I put on during the day was Everything All The Time. It was this moment and this listen around that set this album in stone. It’s quite simply a perfect album. At first, I couldn’t get over the similarities of Ben Bridwell’s voice to that of Jim James from My Morning Jacket. But as I sat there and gave the music itself more of a listen it started to become clear to me this was the perfect indie rock album. Extremely polished and well worth the top ten list.
3. - Phoenix “Its Never Been Like That”
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Website: www.wearephoenix.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/wearephoenix
Download: “Rally”
I have yet to truly be disappointed by Phoenix. I wasn’t a big fan of Alphabetical but not necessarily disappointed. It took them just a few months later to come out with one hell of an album and one heck of a turn around. Here is another band that every time I throw on either United or Its Never Been Like That, anyone within a radius of 20 or 30 feet begins to gravitate to the speakers. Their songs, one after another, cause your body to shake and turn. I could listen to Its Never Been Like That twice maybe three times in a row and not get sick of “Rally”, “Napoleon Says”, “Long Distance Call”, etc. etc. etc.
2. - Hot Chip “The Warning”
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Website: www.hotchip.co.uk
Myspace: www.myspace.com/hotchip
Download: “And I Was a Boy From School”
Boom…the world domination begins and Hot Chip steps out from the fog. They step up to their synthesizers and the music begins. You see Joe with his funky glow glasses step up to his mike and start to sing, “And i was a boy from school helplessly helping all the rules…” The electronic drum beat, the repetitive synth line and their airy vocals hook you and you can’t stop singing along, dancing your ass off and telling your self that “Hot Chip will break your legs, Snap off your head, Hot Chip will put you down, Under the ground.” Your life is now no longer yours, it now belongs to a world where the synthesizer is thought of as God, his disciples are British and his message is to just shut up and shake it like you’ve never shaked it before.
1. - TV on the Radio “Return to Cookie Mountain”
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Website: www.tvontheradio.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/tvotr
Download: “Wolf Like Me”
Why even bother. Why should I even write another word? You’ve all probably heard it before. “TV on the Radio” is the most innovative band to date”…”They make the greatest art rock around and they’ll blow your mind.” Look, it’s simple. TV on the Radio is paving a new way to listen to music. You can either listen to music or you can LISTEN to music. This is not for everyone. However, I would suggest that if for some reason you have been living in a dark hole some where for the past year and don’t know about this album and you like artsy music or jazzy music or just really really really love music - do yourself a favor and buy this album.
Best Albums of 2006: Part 3
And the list continues… As noted before, no more commentary, just the facts. Please make comments where necessary. Like if you don’t think that Comets on Fire is helping to revive rock then say so. After this post I will be coming out with my Top Ten for 2006.
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Website: www.beck.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/beck
Download: “Soldier Jane”
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Website: www.espers.org
Myspace: www.myspace.com/espers
Download: “Mansfield and Cyclops”
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Website: www.marcata.net/walkmen
Myspace: www.myspace.com/thewalkmen
Download: “Lost in Boston”
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Website: www.fujiya-miyagi.co.uk
Myspace: www.myspace.com/fujiyaandmiyagi
Download: “Collarbone”
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Website: www.grizzly-bear.net
Myspace: www.myspace.com/grizzlybear
Download: “On a Neck, On a Spit”
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Website: www.ratatatmusic.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/ratatatmusic
Download: “Wildcat”
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Website: www.theknife.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/theknife
Download: “Silent Shout”
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Website: www.clipseonline.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/clipse
Download: “Keys Open Doors”
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Website: The Royal Stable This site is the best site to learn more about Will Oldham and his music as well as his movies.
Myspace: www.myspace.com/palacemusic Bonnie / Will Oldham does not have his own myspace page. But this is the best fan site out there.
Download: “Wai”
Best Albums 0f 2006: Part 2
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Website: www.islandsareforever.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/islandsareforever
Download: “Don’t Call me Whitney, Bobby”
It took me a few listens to get in to Islands. I was never a fan of Nick Diamonds former band The Unicorns. His band mate and drummer from The Unicorns, J’aime Tambeur, joined him and 5 other Montreal musicians to comlete this 7 piece indie pop extravaganza. Only shortly after the release J’aime quit the band but Islands promised to keep moving forward. There is so much music coming out of Montreal these days that it’s hard to take it all seriously. The sound on Islands has a playful and almost child like appeal to it, which didn’t sit well at first but with multiple listens it began to grow on me. But while I don’t feel they came out with the best album of 2006, they sure came out with one of the best song titles in “Don’t Call Me Whitney, Bobby.”
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Website: www.cometsonfire.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/cometsonfirerockinblues
Download: “Jaybird”
I was introduced to two Ben Chasny groups this year. First I picked up Six Organs of Admittance and then Comets on Fire. I remember hearing about them a year or so ago through Stereogum but it was just one of those passing glances that never ended in a thorough listen. I’m glad they resurfaced as their 4th and apparently their most subued album to date, Avatar, has the perfect mix of blues and hard rock. The rock legends would be proud of this 21st century group. You would only hope that some day true rock and roll will make a come back. These fellas sure are making a strong push in that direction.
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Website: www.yolatengo.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/yolatengo
Download: “Mr. Tough”
The laundry list of album’s from Yo La Tengo is now up to 15 with their 2006 release. That’s not including their covers album that released as well in 2006 but as the title entails, they murder the classics. So how does this wife/husband outfit keep things fresh, by calling their latest album “I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass.” It’s that simple. My favorite aspect of Yo La Tengo is their heavy focus on percussion. You can always find a clave beat hidden in the background of their songs. While percussion is a focus, the melody is never sacrificed.
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Website: www.partydream.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/partydream
Download: “Shadow Grip”
If you want to get the party started, you need to look no further. Gil Mantera and Ultimate Donny will make sure that your guests are on the dance floor, shaking their behinds to electronic porn, ehm, I mean rock music. And if you throw in a 30 rack of PBR, they’ll be your best friend for life. Brothers Gil Mantera and Ultimate Donny put out Bloodsongs this year but it was their live show that turned me in to a complete fan. The album grew on me once I saw their show. It’s one of those experiences you want to keep reliving and there’s no better way then tossing in Bloogsongs. Their album is on sale for $10 so get them while their hot.
I’m realizing that I can’t keep giving little descriptions for every album otherwise I’ll never get to my Top Ten. Jeez, there is just so much music that one year brings to the table. So, 2006 Albums of 2006: Part 3 will be just the album image, myspace page, official page and song download. And remember, you can purchase the album by clicking on the album image.
