Ten more of my favorite albums of 2006. Can you even handle all the suspense?
40. Oh No! Oh My! - Oh No! Oh My! (Self Released)
MP3 | Walk In The Park
An entire album of twee indie pop with plenty of catchy little "la la's" and "ba ba's" for me to sing to my daughter. I dare you to listen to this album and try to not to sing along.
39. Cursive - Happy Hollow (Saddle Creek)
MP3 | Flag And Family
If this is emo then count me in. Tim Kasher sings every syllable as if his life depends on it. Cursive is (also) always pushing boundaries and incorporating new stylisic elements into their melodic (yet abrasive) post-hardcore jamboree. Another great one from a band that refuses to be complacent.
38. Mission Of Burma - The Obliterati (Matador)
MP3 | 2wice
What band goes on a 20 year hiatus and comes back with guns blazing like this? It simply isn't fair for any band to be this good. It just ain't fair. These songs sound as vital now as "Trem Two" did in the early 80's.
37. Drag The River - It's Crazy (Suburban Home)
MP3 | Me And Joe Drove Out To California
This supergroup of former punks has made the best country album of 2006. Its probably the twangiest thing I'll listen to all year, and its damn good. Now where are my spurs?
36. Hammock - Raising Your Voice...Trying To Stop An Echo (Darla)
MP3 | Shipwrecked (Flat On Your Back)
Hammock's album Kenotic was featured on my best of 2005 list, and this is more of the same. Hazy ambient epic anti-rock that is as dense and beautiful as anything in the genre. RIYL: Cocteau Twins, Sigur Ros, Aphex Twin's Ambient Works
35. TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain (Interscope)
MP3 | Province
This album is probably on everyone's list. It should be.
34. Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards (Downtown)
MP3 | We Used To Vacation
Despite the massive amount of hype that these guys have gotten this year, they managed to put out two great EP's and and a mighty fine debut in Robbers & Cowards. It is California indie rock soul music that is electrifying to see the band play live.
33. Bound Stems - Appreciation Night (Flameshovel)
MP3 | Wake Up, Ma And Pa Are Gone
Chicago's own Bound Stems dish out jittery indie-pop rock with fractured melodies that is highly recommended for fans of Modest Mouse, The Arcade Fire, and The Walkmen.
32. The Flaherty Corsano Duo - The Beloved Music (Family Vineyard)
MP3 | The Great Pine Tar Scandal (Edit)
This improvisational free-jazz duo uses only saxophone and drums to create a cacophonous wall of noise. Their energy and synergism simply pours out of your speakers. This is compelling stuff that is challenging but rewarding. Fans of Wolf Eyes and Albert Ayler take note.
31. Converge - No Heroes (Epitaph)
MP3 | Hellbound
More textured like 2004's You Fail Me but crushingly brutal like their metalcore classic Jane Doe. This is loud, fast, intense, and exhausting music that approximates having your still-beating heart ripped from you chest.
2 Comments ↓
Thumbs up on picking Hammock's new LP.
FmGT's countdown begins sunday -- all 4 of us are gonna have a crack at lists [even though I know yr only interested in my list, j/k].
How do you do it? 50 albums? I wish I had the luxury man... this list is fantastic so far.
Nice, looking forward to the rest.
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