Another F-ing list
Sorry, I had to jack and revise Antonella’s title. Oh yah, NewMusic team, did you guys listen to any rap albums this year???
Ok here we go, a few of my faves of ’06 (in no order)
Ghostface Killah – Fishscale
This album was every rap aficionado and pitchfork/hipster’s wet dream. Plus any album with a Sponge Bob Square Pants mention is already a classic.
Favourite Tracks: Underwater, 9 Milli Bros, Be Easy, Big Girl, R.A.G.U., Whip You With A Strap
Phoenix – It’s Never Been Like That
Way too many good times this year with this album playing in the backdrop.
Favourite Tracks: Sometimes in the fall, Long Distance Call, Rally
J.Dilla – Donuts
I was having lunch at La Hacienda on queen when Lightworks came on. That track somehow made my chicken nachos 10x better.
Favourite Tracks: This album works best listening to it as a whole.
Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury
Another Pitchfork/Hipster wet dream. Nonetheless, HHNF is ruthless, jovial, and terrifying all wrapped up together.
Favourite Tracks: Hello New World, Momma, I'm So Sorry, Wamp Wamp, Mr. Me Too, Ride Around Shining
Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds
I still like Sexyback, I don’t care if it’s played. It made every crappy party I went to this year a bit tolerable for 1-2 mins pending on how nippy the dj was.
Favourite Tracks: Summer Love/Set The Mood, SexyBack, My Love
Tv On The Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain
I was at this bar the other night and it turned into a full fledged dance party which eventually spilled out on to the street. What started it all? Tv On The Raido’s Wolf like Me, that‘s what started it all.
Favourite Tracks: Wolf Like Me, Dirty Whirl, I Was A Lover
Notable Mentions: The Roots – Game Theory, The Game – Doctor’s Advocate, Rhymefest – Blue Collar, Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor
Posted by Manny at 11:58 AM | Comments (1)
December 27, 2006another list, checkin' it twice...
hi, i'm new to this blog, but i do believe that the best way to introduce myself is to give you a list of the year's dopest albums, according to my ears.
so, here it is.
1. band of horses - everything all the time
one listen and i was hooked. matt brooke peaced out of the band in 2006, but the horses continued to gallop. phew. let's see what they can do despite his absence.
2. lily allen - alright, still
best break-up record of the year, hands down.
3. rocky votolato – makers
favourite votolato brother (see: the blood brothers) releases second solo disc, this time going down the country road, and i like it. a lot. also one of the best shows i've seen all year. (thank you, detroit rock city)
4. brand new - the devil and god are raging inside me
this album was AP magazine's most anticipated disc of 2005. that says a lot about this mysterious band. they also canceled their last two interviews with muchmusic this year. let's hope we get to chat with them in the new year.
5. bob dylan - modern times
best album dylan's released in years! seriously though, what's with his alicia keys obsession? i can't listen to track one anymore.
6. mates of state - bring it back
best couple in music. ever.
7. cursive - happy hollow
their performance at the lollapalooza festival this year was one of my favourites. check them out and they'll blow you away. pinky promise.
8. the bronx - the bronx
speaking of amazing performances, this band kills the stage. rock n' roll with a smile. literally.
9. the stills - without feathers
a much needed departure from logic will break your heart. it's good to have both dave and tim on vocals. they're a mean team, i tell you.
10. willie nelson - songbird
willie nelson teams up with ryan adams to release a cover album with the cardinals as backing band. genius idea. sure, it caused adams to push back the release of the two albums they had scheduled for 2006 but that's ok because, well, willie's a legend. who says no to working with him? exactly.
honourable mentions:
saves the day - sound the alarm
owen - at home with
the little willies - the little willies
head automatica - popaganda
morrissey - ringleader of the tormentors
sparta - threes
justin timberlake - futuresex/lovesounds
Posted by anto+nella at 03:43 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2006in the year 2006: top singles
continuing with the 2006 wrap-up, here’s a tidy list of my top 20 singles of 2006. some are totally irresistable and undeniable, while others are challenging and take time to fully embrace. regardless, they’re all exception pieces of music.
1. Phoenix - LONG DISTANCE CALL (Arts+Crafts)
2. The Killers - WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG (Universal)
3. Hot Chip – BOY FROM SCHOOL (DFA/Astrawerks)
4. Peter Bjorn & John – YOUNG FOLKS (Wichita)
5. Sonic Youth – INCINERATE (Geffen)
6. Joanna Newsom – EMILY (Drag City)
7. Headlights – PUT US BACK TOGETHER (polyvinyl)
8. Malajube - ÉTIENNE D'AOÛT (Dare to Care)
9. The Thermals – A PILLAR OF SALT (Subpop)
10. Cold War Kids – HOSPITAL BEDS (Downtown)
11. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – CHEATED HEARTS (Interscope)
12. Voxtrot – MOTHERS, SISTERS, DAUGHTERS & WIVES (playlouder)
13. Mates of State – FRAUD IN THE 80’S (Barsuk)
14. The Dears – TICKET TO IMMORTALITY (Maple)
15. The Strokes – HEART IN A CAGE (RCA)
16. Guillemots – TRAINS TO BRAZIL (Polydor)
17. The Hold Steady – CHIPS AHOY! (Vagrant)
18. Love Is All – MAKE OUT FALL OUT MAKE UP (What’s Your Rupture?)
19. Band of Horses – THE FUNERAL (subpop)
20. The Good Soldiers – LEAD US WHERE (independent)
Posted by Geoff M at 12:49 PM | Comments (1)
December 20, 2006in the year 2006 cont...
there's a few things I’d like to add to the big 2006 wrap-up post from the other day. one artist from the list of my 20 favorite records deserves further mention, while another wasn’t mentioned at all…
The Thermals. Maybe the best power-pop/punk band around today? The kids should be all over these guys. MuchMusic fans especially – if you like Green Day, Billy Talent and any of the bands from the latest wave of pop-punk, I guarantee you – you’ll love the Thermals. They write incredibly tight, efficient, searing rock songs. Their 2006 album, ‘the Body, the Blood, the Machine’ was totally one of the years’ best rock albums. If you don’t believe me – download these two songs right now, courtesy of Subpop records. Instant proof:
The Thermals - Here's Your Future.mp3
The Thermals - A Pillar of Salt.mp3
Joanna Newsom. I only had my first listen to Joanna Newsom’s record Ys about a month ago and it struck me instantly that this is absolutely a unique work. 24 year-old Joanna plays the harp – and sh*t, does she ever play it well. Backed by lush, warm, orchestral arrangements, Ys takes the listener on a journey to a magical place. Certainly the most original album I heard all year. Her personal story is fascinating too, how she grew up in the mountains and went to special alternative/artistic schools. (Exclaim! magazine has a great article on her in their latest issue). I was just saying to my father the other week how I really wanted Ys for xmas and how it’s the kind of record I could totally give to him, my cousin, or even my grandmother – especially my grandmother. Its one of those records that’s for everyone, though actually not for everyone – if that makes sense..
Here’s a youtube clip of Joanna Newsom performing Emily, the first track on Ys. one of my favorite tracks of the year.
Joanna Newsom – Emily pt.1
Joanna Newsom – Emily pt.2
On the record, Emily spans 12 minutes and 8 seconds. You instantly notice the dramatic lyrics and beautiful, haunting arrangements, but what sneaks up on you is the mind-blowing song-craft. The song almost seems to work in a cyclical manner, with moments where it feels like you’re right back at the start, but each time Newsom amps up the emotional intensity. (eg. 4 minutes and 33 seconds into pt.1 above). Its absolutely chilling in the most wonderful way.
Posted by Geoff M at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2006in the year 2006
2006 was unquestionably an amazing year for music. too many highlights to mention, but here are a few... and a list of my 20 favorite records (below)
- HOT SH*T - the emergence of Hot Chip, armed with a sophomore record that perfectly married pop, rock and electro like no one before.
- GANG OF WINNERS! - the Dears returned with Gang of Losers, a fantastically focused, smart and irresistible pop album that's so good, it makes their earlier work (which i once loved) practically unlistenable by comparison.
- STROKED - way back in January, The Strokes delivered a killer third album which pretty well reaffirmed their status as leaders of a rock revolution. beyond reminding us all of their unmatched ability to write searing, hooky rock songs, First Impressions of Earth proved that The Strokes have grown into exceptional musicians. Guitarist Nick Valensi especially, who on songs like Ize of the World and Heart in a Cage sounds like he's showing off. amazing!
- BABY BANDS - 2006 was also a year of new discoveries and excellent EPs. debuts from Voxtrot, Land of Talk and The Good Soldiers were played endlessly. all bands show amazing promise and are off to fantastic starts.
- KEYS - Mates of State and another new discovery, Headlights took keyboard pop to a new level. Mates' flawless record Bring it Back had an amazing energy to it, filled with some seriously intense pop hooks and undeniable harmonies. the Headlights record too, Kill Them With Kindness (how dear, i thought when i first heard the title) is equally as beautiful and also has more than a few soaring rock tracks.
- TWANG - alt-country and Americana-type records ruled supreme with the awesome debut from Band of Horses, Destroyer's Rubies and one half of Rilo Kiley's songwriting duo, Blake Sennett's side-project The Elected. thought i was going to say Jenny Lewis? yea, her album is good too, but it pales in comparison to The Elected's Sun, Sun, Sun - a warm and gorgeous, outlaw-pop album.
- VIVE LES QUEBECOIS - credit is also certainly due to the band that might finally unite French and English Canadian music fans - Malajube. the buzz started early in the spring and was certainly legitimized by their inclusion in the Polaris Music Prize shortlist. Trompe-L'oeil is a masterpiece - one of the most inventive and creative rock records i've heard in ages. (look out for a feature on Malajube and the French- Canadian new wave on the NewMusic early in the new year).
- two bands though, really took me by surprise in 2006 - Phoenix and The Hold Steady.
- THE HOLD STEADY - pitchfork i believe were first out the gate to hype up The Hold Steady's fall release, Boys and Girls in America and their enthusiasm was spot on. here's a band from Minneapolis via Brooklyn, New York who's written the quintessential American rock album, that speaks directly to young people and teenagers in every corner of the country. what's particularly remarkable is how it manages to speak to everyone else too and remind us all of what it was like to be young and irresponsible and carefree. the stories of the songs are universal and the writing is brilliant. the music and band absolutely recall a late 70s Born to Run era E-Street Band, but with an energy and intensity rooted in 2006. it perfectly suits the attitude of the songs. also, 'gonna walk around and drink some more' (Party Pit) - best refrain of 2006.
- PHOENIX - the story with Phoenix is much simpler. It's Never Been Like That arrived in May, just in time to be the record of the summer and ultimately the record of the year. the album is without a doubt the poppiest of their three records and also the most accessible. it's absolutely crammed with amazing moments, fantastic hooks and just downright clever songwriting. the lyrics are honest and raw and tell stories of love and longing. i couldn't have dreamed up a more enjoyable record if it tried. i literally, played it to death.
- without further a due, my 20 favorite records of 2006:
1. PHOENIX - It's Never Been Like That (Arts+Crafts)
video: Long Distance Call (live) / NewMusic story: Aug. 8, 2006
2. THE HOLD STEADY - Boys and Girls In America (Vagrant)
video: Chips Ahoy!
3. MATES OF STATE - Bring It Back (Barsuk)
video: Like U Crazy / NewMusic story: July 3, 2006
4. HOT CHIP - The Warning (DFA/Astralwerks)
video: Over and Over
5. MALAJUBE - Trompe-L'oeil (Dare to Care)
video: Pate Filo / (look out for NewMusic story Jan. 2007)
6. THE DEARS - Gang of Losers (Maple)
video: Ticket to Immortality / NewMusic story: Oct. 9, 2006
7. THE STROKES - First Impressions of Earth (RCA)
video: Heart in a Cage / NewMusic story: July 9, 2006
8. THE THERMALS - The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Subpop)
video: A Pillar of Salt
9. LAND OF TALK - Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss (Dependent)
video: Seafoam (live) / (look out for NewMusic story Jan. 2007)
10. HEADLIGHTS - Kill Them With Kindness (Polyvinyl)
video: Put Us Back Together Right (live)
11. BAND OF HORSES - Everything All the Time (Subpop)
video: The Great Salt Lake
12. DESTROYER - Destroyer's Rubies (Merge)
video: Rubies (live clip)
13. THE ELECTED - Sun, Sun, Sun (Subpop)
video: Not Going Home
14. FRENCH KICKS - Two Thousand (Startime/Vagrant)
video: Also Ran (live)
16. LOVE IS ALL - Nine Times That Same Song (What's Your Rupture)
video: Make Out, Fall Out, Make Up
17. SONIC YOUTH - Rather Ripped (Geffen)
video: Incinerate / the NewMusic story: Sept. 9, 2006
18. THE LONG WINTERS - Putting the Days To Bed (Barsuk)
video: Fire Island, AK
19. BECK - The Information (Geffen)
video: Nausea / NewMusic story: November 9, 2006
20. YEAH YEAH YEAHS - Show Your Bones (Interscope)
video: Cheated Hearts
Posted by Geoff M at 11:14 PM | Comments (1)
