20. Young Guv - Ripe 4 Luv
19. Swervedriver - I Wasn't Born To Lose You
18. G.L.O.S.S. - Demo
17. Stove - Is Stupider
16. Kurt Vile - B'lieve I'm Goin Down
15. Twerps - Range Anxiety
14. The Sidekicks - Runners In The Nerved World
13. Destroyer - Poison Season
12. Bully - Feels Like
11. Mountain Club - Time Waits For No One
10. Juliana Hatfield Three - Whatever, My Love
9. Jessica Pratt - On Your Own Love Again
8. Dream Version - Beginners
7. Grimes - Art Angels
6. Ought - Sun Coming Down
5. Father John Misty - I Love You Honeybear
4. Beauty Pill - Describes Things As They Are
3. Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit
2. Ryan Adams - 1989/Blue Light/Burn In The Night/I Do Not Feel Like Being Good/Willow Lane
1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
I moved Father John Misty higher up the list than the original one that was posted on SYGrecs. I've been embarrassed about liking him for so long that I wanted to pretend I didn't like the album as much as I do. But I do. It's great.
I also wanted to add these, but I didn't get into them until mid-December:
Tame Impala - Currents
Carly Rae Jepsen - Emotion
Braidedveins - BVLP
Major Head Injury came out this year. I thought it was pretty good.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Monday, December 28, 2015
Best of 2002 (from LJ)
this is not a very fair list to make because i can't say that i've given
enough albums a thorough listen (there are way too many), but here is
my top ten favorite albums of 2002.
in order (for now).
1.) jurassic 5: power in numbers. this album is terribly amazing. the songs are catchy, but not too poppy, the lyrics are smart and sometimes funny. i never thought i could like a hip hop album as much as i like this.
2.) nada surf: let go. this could have very well been number one, for it is also an incredible album. i believe it was only released in england, but not the u.s. it should come out sometime this year which means i get to use it again on the 2003 list! yeah!
3.) coldplay: a rush of blood to the head. i was kind of caught off guard by this album because it is nothing like parachutes which is also one of my favorite albums. this album is so much more complex and beautiful than the first but it took me a while to figure that out.
4.) piebald: we are the only friends that we have. for the longest time i swore this would be number 1 but, it just wasn't. it is still an excellent pop album.
5.) the flaming lips: yoshimi battles the pink robots. who can deny a concept album about robots trying to take over the world? i am such a fool for missing their tour with beck. i knew little to nothing of them until the end of this year when i fell head over heels for them. the soft bulletin is also a complete gem.
6.) koufax: social life. there was no way i was going to like this album, (i grew to hate the first) and then i loved it (i grew to like the first). it's just so well written, i couldn't not like it.
7.) sigur ros: (). this is so f'ing pretty, i just wanna bash its head in and gouge its eyes out.
8.) kylie minogue: fever. yeah. that's right. i'm not apologizing either. there's something about her music that's very european and all her dancers do these strange german looking moves that seem to fit the music perfectly, it's just really cool dance music.
9.) sleater-kinney: one beat. this was the first thing i heard from this band and i will definitely be checking out their other stuff. apparently, there was a guy who went to all of their concerts and masturbated to them, then he got arrested.
10.) motion city soundtrack: i am the movie. i saw these guys in 2001 at flintfest and they were not good. then i saw them at the magic stick and they were good. very good, even. the melodies are incredible on this album.
in order (for now).
1.) jurassic 5: power in numbers. this album is terribly amazing. the songs are catchy, but not too poppy, the lyrics are smart and sometimes funny. i never thought i could like a hip hop album as much as i like this.
2.) nada surf: let go. this could have very well been number one, for it is also an incredible album. i believe it was only released in england, but not the u.s. it should come out sometime this year which means i get to use it again on the 2003 list! yeah!
3.) coldplay: a rush of blood to the head. i was kind of caught off guard by this album because it is nothing like parachutes which is also one of my favorite albums. this album is so much more complex and beautiful than the first but it took me a while to figure that out.
4.) piebald: we are the only friends that we have. for the longest time i swore this would be number 1 but, it just wasn't. it is still an excellent pop album.
5.) the flaming lips: yoshimi battles the pink robots. who can deny a concept album about robots trying to take over the world? i am such a fool for missing their tour with beck. i knew little to nothing of them until the end of this year when i fell head over heels for them. the soft bulletin is also a complete gem.
6.) koufax: social life. there was no way i was going to like this album, (i grew to hate the first) and then i loved it (i grew to like the first). it's just so well written, i couldn't not like it.
7.) sigur ros: (). this is so f'ing pretty, i just wanna bash its head in and gouge its eyes out.
8.) kylie minogue: fever. yeah. that's right. i'm not apologizing either. there's something about her music that's very european and all her dancers do these strange german looking moves that seem to fit the music perfectly, it's just really cool dance music.
9.) sleater-kinney: one beat. this was the first thing i heard from this band and i will definitely be checking out their other stuff. apparently, there was a guy who went to all of their concerts and masturbated to them, then he got arrested.
10.) motion city soundtrack: i am the movie. i saw these guys in 2001 at flintfest and they were not good. then i saw them at the magic stick and they were good. very good, even. the melodies are incredible on this album.
Best of 2003 (from LJ)
welp, this definitely isn't researched very well, it's mostly off the
top of my head, so if i'm forgetting something, it's for that very
reason.
13. Cursive - The Ugly Organ
12. Rainer Maria - Long Knives Drawn
11. The Neptunes - Clones
10. The Postal Service - Give Up
9. Nanang Tatang - Muki
8. The Thrills - So Much For the City
7. Jay Z - The Black Album
6. Anathallo - Holiday at the Sea EP
5. The Rapture - Echoes
4. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak
3. Junior Senior - d-d-d-don't stop the beat
2. Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism
1. Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Fave 3 songs of the year:
3. Beyonce - Crazy In Love
2. Q and Not U - Book of Flags
1. Mates of State - HaHa
13. Cursive - The Ugly Organ
12. Rainer Maria - Long Knives Drawn
11. The Neptunes - Clones
10. The Postal Service - Give Up
9. Nanang Tatang - Muki
8. The Thrills - So Much For the City
7. Jay Z - The Black Album
6. Anathallo - Holiday at the Sea EP
5. The Rapture - Echoes
4. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak
3. Junior Senior - d-d-d-don't stop the beat
2. Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism
1. Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Fave 3 songs of the year:
3. Beyonce - Crazy In Love
2. Q and Not U - Book of Flags
1. Mates of State - HaHa
Best of 2005 (from LJ)
Because I happen to like music and thought 2005 to be an excellent year
of music, I comprised a list of my favorite albums. It seemed as if on
the whole there were a lot of really well crafted albums, and I couldn't
tell if I had lowered my standards or if everyone was aiming to make a
landmark record. This list is based on my personal favorites, but was
influenced by the "greatness" and "bestness" factors.
20. M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us (Gooom)
I bought this album in philly on perhaps the best weekend of the year, after playing a huge show. I was sick and listened to it driving home with kent and mar and sometimes when I hear it, I feel sick, but not because the album's sickening! Sometimes melodramatic, but really nice tones and atmosphere.
19. Supersystem - Always Never Again (Touch and Go)
After seeing them at the best show of 2004 as El Guapo, I was interested, but heard the El Guapo albums were a bust. This came out, and owned. Nothing new really, somewhere in between Q and Not U and !!!, but it's fun.
18. Coldplay - X & Y (Capitol)
Not a hip choice, Trav. Have you grown into a high school girl? Everytime I see them or read about them, I really dislike Chris Martin more and more. If that were not the case, this would probably be higher because it's a really solid album. Sounds like it was recorded in 2015, awesome synth / organ combos, funkier drumming than last 2 albums. 'Future Music' for malls.
17. Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die (Bar None)
I thought this was an uncreative creative album. Uncreative: steals premise of polyphonic spree, who steal from the flaming lips. Creative: Songs. Really happy, I guess annoying if you're not happy. Hippies, beards, excess instrumentation. Sounds like I don't like this. I do though.
16. The Boy Least Likely To - The Best Party Ever (Too Young To Die)
Cool! I really liked the theme of "Be Gentle With Me" which is about the fragility of life, but with a disco beat! I ended up putting it on almost every mix I made this year. Folky, 70's AM Gold harmonies.
15. Deerhoof - The Runners Four (Kill Rock Stars)
First Deerhoof album I've heard. People that like Deerhoof LOVE Deerhoof and swear they're the almighty band of bands. I don't really get that, but they are unique and creative and kinda charming. The selling point is the guitar solo in "You Can See."
14. Brendan Benson - The Alternative To Love (V2/Startime International)
This reminds me a lot of Novi because, I believe, this was the last album I bought living there and ended up listening to it a lot while knowing I would be getting out soon. So there's a lot of hopeful excitement that I attached to this. I like where Dude's head is at, but this is also the second album that features a song for a car commercial...and the other isn't even coldplay! Gah...i'm not doing so hot here...
13. Alec Jensen - Oh! Brother (King of Hearts)
The Great White Hope of Michigan Indie (Segernomics being the Diaper Dandy/Freshman Phenom of 05 for Michigan Indie). This is really awesome and authentic. Very appropriate production and great songwriting. It's exciting to me that there is a guy just around the corner, full of creativity that's just getting started.
12. Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (Arts & Crafts)
This was not "You Forgot It In People" and it was not supposed to be...or was it? I don't expect them to make the same album, but maybe at least to keep up. Production was a bit too slick, songs were a bit too catchy, it's just a bit "too," you know? The restraint and emptier points of YFIIP were what made it great. This album is balls to the wall from start to finish, and to that I say, "Hey. Guys. Take your balls off the wall sometimes."
11. Spoon - Gimme Fiction (Merge)
I swear when I bought this I thought "D+, maybe C at best" and considered trading it in. Foolish! What a cool rock album! Swagger rock! Britt Daniel seems to be a bit pretentious, but maybe I misread him. Good luck on Veronica Mars, dude!
10. Kanye West - Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella)
I don't like Kanye West. If I knew how to change the font to a smaller size, this would be the album I would do it for. Maybe more embarassing than Coldplay. Now, initially this may seem hypocritical because I have decided in recent past that I don't think I could integrate rap albums with indie rock albums because it's kinda like comparing apples and oranges. But I don't see this as a rap album or even a hip hop album. True, there is "rapping" on the album, but musically it's a jazz/pop album. If this said Jon Brion "Late Registration" it would probably be bumped up 5 spots.
9. Of Montreal - The Sundlandic Twins (Polyvinyl)
In the summer this was my favorite to be number 1, but pop don't last, bro. Still a really neat one man show. Bright, funky, jazzy, poppy, happy.
8. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans (Atlantic)
Oh where to begin. Kinda shallow, fellas. The songs are mostly steady, moderate, stable (no pun intended). Didn't really take a lot of chances. I guess the end of "Different Names..." is new for the band, but they're really just incorporating the Postal Service which is kinda whoring themselves, I think. It is hard to take them at their word anymore, and their credibility is kinda shot. But "Marching Bands of Manhattan" is one of the best songs they've ever written. Oh, and The OC. I think there's an unwritten law that says I'm obligated to mention that somewhere.
7. Sufjan Stevens - Come On! Feel The Illinoise! (Asthmatic Kitty)
The overwhelming pick for album of the year, the definitive 2005 album. This probably should have been much higher on my own list. When I was making my list, I seemed to think there was a lot of unnecessary noise tracks that broke up the flow of the album. I don't know why. I was really really wrong. I don't have a lot of emotional ties to this as I did with Seven Swans but this is an excellent, excellent album and deserves all of the praise it's receiving.
6. Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary (Sub Pop)
This album was quick to be awesome. But it was obviously awesome to many people and was a bit overhyped (SAT analogy - Death Cab: The OC, as Wolf Parade: Isaac Brock). Fun fact: I once listened to this album two times in a row, maybe the only time this feat was accomplished with a 2005 album. It was still 1000 times easier and more fun than one listen of Frances the Mute.
5. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! (Self-Released)
Best band name of the year until I heard of "Let's Get Out Of This Terrible Sandwich Shop" on The Onion. This is really smooth and jerky at the same time. Each song is great and maybe the best on the album. I don't know how much staying power this will have or what the next album will sound like. Hopefully they won't go the way of other NY bands like The Rapture or The Strokes and fade away.
4. Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift (Barsuk)
Nada Surf, you wounded bird, I will love you when nobody else does. This is maybe the album that I hold nearest and dearest to me for the simple fact that no one else liked it. Which is fair. At first, I thought the lyrics were super campy and the music was too simple. But it eventually blossomed, much like "Gimme Fiction," and I saw all of its wonderful-ness and have come to love it maybe more than "Let Go" which is an all-time fave.
3. The Decemberists - Picaresque (Kill Rock Stars)
They were next in line to absorb the "favorite indie band" title from death cab, but had to go and totally blow it. Capitol's cool though, say hi to Yellowcard for me. Another slow-growing album, but aren't those always the best? If this is their last great album, I can live with that.
2. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema (Matador)
13 bombs of exploding joy! Super dense power pop, way better than the last album. It has lots of variety and great hooks; each song has its own quirks. Carl Newman is 37! Holy crap! Do you know Neil Diamond, man?
1. Jens Lekman - Oh You're So Silent, Jens (Secretly Canadian) - This is my most favorite album that I heard all year. It has redefined what I love as a "sound": Clever like Moz, lush like Belle & Sebastian, lo-fi like Yo La Tengo. This album also has 100% awesome individual songs, each unique and special. "Pocketful of Money" has booming backup bass vocals that sound like Thurl Ravenscroft singing that one song about the grinch. "A Man Walks Into A Bar" is lyrically funny like Atom and His Package, but endearing; the perfect balance of humor and sincerity. "Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill" is awesome block party music for hot summer nights with an neat Warren G reference. I heard that Jens is hanging it up for a while, which bummed me out, but that might make this album even more special.
20. M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us (Gooom)
I bought this album in philly on perhaps the best weekend of the year, after playing a huge show. I was sick and listened to it driving home with kent and mar and sometimes when I hear it, I feel sick, but not because the album's sickening! Sometimes melodramatic, but really nice tones and atmosphere.
19. Supersystem - Always Never Again (Touch and Go)
After seeing them at the best show of 2004 as El Guapo, I was interested, but heard the El Guapo albums were a bust. This came out, and owned. Nothing new really, somewhere in between Q and Not U and !!!, but it's fun.
18. Coldplay - X & Y (Capitol)
Not a hip choice, Trav. Have you grown into a high school girl? Everytime I see them or read about them, I really dislike Chris Martin more and more. If that were not the case, this would probably be higher because it's a really solid album. Sounds like it was recorded in 2015, awesome synth / organ combos, funkier drumming than last 2 albums. 'Future Music' for malls.
17. Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die (Bar None)
I thought this was an uncreative creative album. Uncreative: steals premise of polyphonic spree, who steal from the flaming lips. Creative: Songs. Really happy, I guess annoying if you're not happy. Hippies, beards, excess instrumentation. Sounds like I don't like this. I do though.
16. The Boy Least Likely To - The Best Party Ever (Too Young To Die)
Cool! I really liked the theme of "Be Gentle With Me" which is about the fragility of life, but with a disco beat! I ended up putting it on almost every mix I made this year. Folky, 70's AM Gold harmonies.
15. Deerhoof - The Runners Four (Kill Rock Stars)
First Deerhoof album I've heard. People that like Deerhoof LOVE Deerhoof and swear they're the almighty band of bands. I don't really get that, but they are unique and creative and kinda charming. The selling point is the guitar solo in "You Can See."
14. Brendan Benson - The Alternative To Love (V2/Startime International)
This reminds me a lot of Novi because, I believe, this was the last album I bought living there and ended up listening to it a lot while knowing I would be getting out soon. So there's a lot of hopeful excitement that I attached to this. I like where Dude's head is at, but this is also the second album that features a song for a car commercial...and the other isn't even coldplay! Gah...i'm not doing so hot here...
13. Alec Jensen - Oh! Brother (King of Hearts)
The Great White Hope of Michigan Indie (Segernomics being the Diaper Dandy/Freshman Phenom of 05 for Michigan Indie). This is really awesome and authentic. Very appropriate production and great songwriting. It's exciting to me that there is a guy just around the corner, full of creativity that's just getting started.
12. Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (Arts & Crafts)
This was not "You Forgot It In People" and it was not supposed to be...or was it? I don't expect them to make the same album, but maybe at least to keep up. Production was a bit too slick, songs were a bit too catchy, it's just a bit "too," you know? The restraint and emptier points of YFIIP were what made it great. This album is balls to the wall from start to finish, and to that I say, "Hey. Guys. Take your balls off the wall sometimes."
11. Spoon - Gimme Fiction (Merge)
I swear when I bought this I thought "D+, maybe C at best" and considered trading it in. Foolish! What a cool rock album! Swagger rock! Britt Daniel seems to be a bit pretentious, but maybe I misread him. Good luck on Veronica Mars, dude!
10. Kanye West - Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella)
I don't like Kanye West. If I knew how to change the font to a smaller size, this would be the album I would do it for. Maybe more embarassing than Coldplay. Now, initially this may seem hypocritical because I have decided in recent past that I don't think I could integrate rap albums with indie rock albums because it's kinda like comparing apples and oranges. But I don't see this as a rap album or even a hip hop album. True, there is "rapping" on the album, but musically it's a jazz/pop album. If this said Jon Brion "Late Registration" it would probably be bumped up 5 spots.
9. Of Montreal - The Sundlandic Twins (Polyvinyl)
In the summer this was my favorite to be number 1, but pop don't last, bro. Still a really neat one man show. Bright, funky, jazzy, poppy, happy.
8. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans (Atlantic)
Oh where to begin. Kinda shallow, fellas. The songs are mostly steady, moderate, stable (no pun intended). Didn't really take a lot of chances. I guess the end of "Different Names..." is new for the band, but they're really just incorporating the Postal Service which is kinda whoring themselves, I think. It is hard to take them at their word anymore, and their credibility is kinda shot. But "Marching Bands of Manhattan" is one of the best songs they've ever written. Oh, and The OC. I think there's an unwritten law that says I'm obligated to mention that somewhere.
7. Sufjan Stevens - Come On! Feel The Illinoise! (Asthmatic Kitty)
The overwhelming pick for album of the year, the definitive 2005 album. This probably should have been much higher on my own list. When I was making my list, I seemed to think there was a lot of unnecessary noise tracks that broke up the flow of the album. I don't know why. I was really really wrong. I don't have a lot of emotional ties to this as I did with Seven Swans but this is an excellent, excellent album and deserves all of the praise it's receiving.
6. Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary (Sub Pop)
This album was quick to be awesome. But it was obviously awesome to many people and was a bit overhyped (SAT analogy - Death Cab: The OC, as Wolf Parade: Isaac Brock). Fun fact: I once listened to this album two times in a row, maybe the only time this feat was accomplished with a 2005 album. It was still 1000 times easier and more fun than one listen of Frances the Mute.
5. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! (Self-Released)
Best band name of the year until I heard of "Let's Get Out Of This Terrible Sandwich Shop" on The Onion. This is really smooth and jerky at the same time. Each song is great and maybe the best on the album. I don't know how much staying power this will have or what the next album will sound like. Hopefully they won't go the way of other NY bands like The Rapture or The Strokes and fade away.
4. Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift (Barsuk)
Nada Surf, you wounded bird, I will love you when nobody else does. This is maybe the album that I hold nearest and dearest to me for the simple fact that no one else liked it. Which is fair. At first, I thought the lyrics were super campy and the music was too simple. But it eventually blossomed, much like "Gimme Fiction," and I saw all of its wonderful-ness and have come to love it maybe more than "Let Go" which is an all-time fave.
3. The Decemberists - Picaresque (Kill Rock Stars)
They were next in line to absorb the "favorite indie band" title from death cab, but had to go and totally blow it. Capitol's cool though, say hi to Yellowcard for me. Another slow-growing album, but aren't those always the best? If this is their last great album, I can live with that.
2. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema (Matador)
13 bombs of exploding joy! Super dense power pop, way better than the last album. It has lots of variety and great hooks; each song has its own quirks. Carl Newman is 37! Holy crap! Do you know Neil Diamond, man?
1. Jens Lekman - Oh You're So Silent, Jens (Secretly Canadian) - This is my most favorite album that I heard all year. It has redefined what I love as a "sound": Clever like Moz, lush like Belle & Sebastian, lo-fi like Yo La Tengo. This album also has 100% awesome individual songs, each unique and special. "Pocketful of Money" has booming backup bass vocals that sound like Thurl Ravenscroft singing that one song about the grinch. "A Man Walks Into A Bar" is lyrically funny like Atom and His Package, but endearing; the perfect balance of humor and sincerity. "Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill" is awesome block party music for hot summer nights with an neat Warren G reference. I heard that Jens is hanging it up for a while, which bummed me out, but that might make this album even more special.
Best of 2006
Here is a list of my favorite songs and albums of 2006. I did not
comment on all of the albums individually, but I will say that while my
love for each of these albums varies from "Somewhat" to "Intense", the
only ones I can't live without are the top 5. This strikes me as odd
because as much as I cared for some of these albums at one point, only
five will probably be timeless?
Favorite Songs of 2006 (That were not included on a Top 20 Album)
Arctic Monkeys - Leave Before The Lights Come On
Black Walls - Levitation Goggles
Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken
Camerata - The Golden Years
CSS - Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above
Field Music - You're Not Supposed To
The Futureheads - Skip To The End
The Never - Cavity
Oh No Oh My - I Have No Sister
Oxford Collapse - In Your Volcano
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks
Sound Team - Your Eyes Are Liars
Tiny Steps - Did You Get It All?
Voxtrot - Mothers, Daughters, Sisters & Wives
The Word Play - Long Winded
Zoos Of Berlin - Coliseum
Favorite Albums of 2006
20. Danielson - Ships
19. Thom Yorke - The Eraser
18. Cursive - Happy Hollow
17. Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies
16. Emily Jane Powers - Apple Blossom
15. Cat Power - The Greatest
14. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
13. The Walkmen - Pussycats Starring The Walkmen
12. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Broom
11. Jenny Lewis And The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
10. Gamenight - Simple Starts In The Mind
09. The Velvet Teen - Cum Laude
08. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
07. Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye
06. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
05. The Long Winters - Putting The Days To Bed
I have a thing for blandness sometimes. I listened to this album a few days before it came out and it did not register with me in any way. But I kept listening to it and eventually, I started to become really attached to it. Maybe it was the familiarity. It's really just straight forward three piece pop-rock band with some solid hooks and excellent production.
04. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
This album has the most beautiful, pristine sounding guitars. The opening chords of "The First Song" sound like waves of crystal clear ocean water crashing on shores of white sand. I think of this every time I hear this album and it immediately calms me and I feel like I'm on vacation. I also associate the album, specifically the song "Monsters," with Nat Mons' trip home from Indiana when I actually was on vacation, having a really nice moment, so one could see why I love this album.
03. Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Poor, poor foresight in the comments section: http://iibasilicaii.livejournal.com/358
02. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass
This album is epic and sprawling in every way I can imagine while maintaining boundaries of good taste. I will probably love this album forever because of its diversity. After 6 months of listening to this album, I still barely understand it and my favorite song changes upon each listen. They have also become one of my favorite bands over their last four albums.
01. Maritime - We, The Vehicles
I feel like if ever there was an album made specifically for me, this has to be it. It has everything I love about music: warmth, sadness, rhythm; it just sounds good. I have discovered that the parts in music I value above all else are chord structure and melody and how they intertwine. Melodically, this is almost perfect. I said earlier this year that I think it's probably my favorite album since 2003, and I'm pretty sure I believe this is true. It makes me feel nostalgic for times in my life when this album didn't even exist, and I've come to associate those moments with this music, which is a little weird. I had heard that this was supposed to be a big improvement on Glass Floor which sparked my interest, but I knew immediately the first time I heard it that it was a perfect album for me. I felt this way the first time I heard "The City" by The Dismemberment Plan, which was the first and maybe the only truly mind-blowing experience I've had from hearing a song. My mind wasn't necessarily blown when I first heard We, The Vehicles, but I instantly fell in love and I think it's saying quite a bit for me to even mention something in the same league as that song. I think if ever something should be elevated to those ranks, this album is it.
Favorite Songs of 2006 (That were not included on a Top 20 Album)
Arctic Monkeys - Leave Before The Lights Come On
Black Walls - Levitation Goggles
Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken
Camerata - The Golden Years
CSS - Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above
Field Music - You're Not Supposed To
The Futureheads - Skip To The End
The Never - Cavity
Oh No Oh My - I Have No Sister
Oxford Collapse - In Your Volcano
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks
Sound Team - Your Eyes Are Liars
Tiny Steps - Did You Get It All?
Voxtrot - Mothers, Daughters, Sisters & Wives
The Word Play - Long Winded
Zoos Of Berlin - Coliseum
Favorite Albums of 2006
20. Danielson - Ships
19. Thom Yorke - The Eraser
18. Cursive - Happy Hollow
17. Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies
16. Emily Jane Powers - Apple Blossom
15. Cat Power - The Greatest
14. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
13. The Walkmen - Pussycats Starring The Walkmen
12. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Broom
11. Jenny Lewis And The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
10. Gamenight - Simple Starts In The Mind
09. The Velvet Teen - Cum Laude
08. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
07. Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye
06. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
05. The Long Winters - Putting The Days To Bed
I have a thing for blandness sometimes. I listened to this album a few days before it came out and it did not register with me in any way. But I kept listening to it and eventually, I started to become really attached to it. Maybe it was the familiarity. It's really just straight forward three piece pop-rock band with some solid hooks and excellent production.
04. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
This album has the most beautiful, pristine sounding guitars. The opening chords of "The First Song" sound like waves of crystal clear ocean water crashing on shores of white sand. I think of this every time I hear this album and it immediately calms me and I feel like I'm on vacation. I also associate the album, specifically the song "Monsters," with Nat Mons' trip home from Indiana when I actually was on vacation, having a really nice moment, so one could see why I love this album.
03. Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Poor, poor foresight in the comments section: http://iibasilicaii.livejournal.com/358
02. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass
This album is epic and sprawling in every way I can imagine while maintaining boundaries of good taste. I will probably love this album forever because of its diversity. After 6 months of listening to this album, I still barely understand it and my favorite song changes upon each listen. They have also become one of my favorite bands over their last four albums.
01. Maritime - We, The Vehicles
I feel like if ever there was an album made specifically for me, this has to be it. It has everything I love about music: warmth, sadness, rhythm; it just sounds good. I have discovered that the parts in music I value above all else are chord structure and melody and how they intertwine. Melodically, this is almost perfect. I said earlier this year that I think it's probably my favorite album since 2003, and I'm pretty sure I believe this is true. It makes me feel nostalgic for times in my life when this album didn't even exist, and I've come to associate those moments with this music, which is a little weird. I had heard that this was supposed to be a big improvement on Glass Floor which sparked my interest, but I knew immediately the first time I heard it that it was a perfect album for me. I felt this way the first time I heard "The City" by The Dismemberment Plan, which was the first and maybe the only truly mind-blowing experience I've had from hearing a song. My mind wasn't necessarily blown when I first heard We, The Vehicles, but I instantly fell in love and I think it's saying quite a bit for me to even mention something in the same league as that song. I think if ever something should be elevated to those ranks, this album is it.
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