Albums of 2006
I don't think last year was a very good year for album releases, though on the other hand, I went to many gigs and ran out of money for cds anyway. I've not really liked many of the 'mainstream' releases, or the wave of indie bands to hit the shelves. I thought the new Razorlight album was poor (especially compared to the first one), the Killers single is awful, new Keane album wasn't brilliant. The list goes on... Still, there were a few cds I got that I enjoyed so here's a mini-list (in no particular order) of my favourite albums from this year!
1 . Scott Matthews - Passing Stranger
This album may have been released on a smaller label towards the end of last year, but I found out about it in the summer so it's on my list! His debut album, but it's very good. His voice is similar to Chris Cornell (though not as powerful), and his guitar playing is awesome. There are even some tabla tracks to break the thing up a bit. My fave tracks are Dream Song (here!), Elusive and the Tabla Jams.
2. Rodrigo Y Gabriela - (Self-titled)
I think this album would fit into the category of world music, somewhere between flamenco and jazz-fusion. There are some very cool covers, including Stairway to Heaven, but the guitar-playing is phenomenal (it's all instrumental). Check out Diablo Rogo here.
3. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
I've been converted to a Dylan fan this year after hearing his more recent albums. Actually, after hearing a live show... The album has a mixed reception but I like it - it's a mix of slower tracks and rockin' stuff. Fave tracks include Thunder on the Mountain, The Levee's Gonna Break and Beyond the Horizon. (On a side-note, has anybody seen the ad with a cover of Hard Rain's A'Gonna Fall? It is awful! Jason Mraz does an awesome cover of it though.)
4. Nightmare of You - (Self-titled)
I love this album! It makes me smile biggly. Ex-members of The Movielife and Glassjaw. They are one of my few exceptions to 'dislike indie bands' rule, though the music is a little different. Fave tracks are The Days Go By Oh! So Slow, Ode to Serotonin and In the Bathroom Is Where I Want You.
5. Neal Casal - No Wish to Reminisce
The current 'second' guitarist in the Cardinals, he's got an awesome voice - a little like Rufus Wainwright. I saw him do a solo set in September (with Ryan Adams drumming!) and it was pretty special. The album is very good, though I prefer him playing acoustic. Fave tracks include Sleeping Pills in Stereo, Grand Island and Lost Satellite (here, with Ryan Adams on drums).
6. KT Tunstall - Acoustic Extravanganza
I'm happy to have more KT Tunstall to listen to this year! My favourite track is Throw Me a Rope, but there are loads of new songs on here, as well as a few old tracks redone. Check out here cover of I Want You Back.
7. Tenacious D - Pick of Destiny
I don't care that it's only the soundtrack, it's an awesome album! I love the mix of acoustic to metal, and Dave Grohl is on it so kudos. There are some amusing soundbites from the movie, but the best tracks are the metal ones (as well as Classico!). Hurrah for the D.
8. Tool - 10,000 Days
For ages this was my fave cd out this year. I've not listened to it so much recently, but still... I love the sound, how it's so ominous and brooding, and it builds up and up. It's an awesome album to listen to in the dark and feel the atmosphere. I can't remember which tracks were my favourite 'cos I never knew the names in the first place, but nevermind.
9. Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia
Dresden Dolls at the Roundhouse was one of the best gigs I've seen this year (especially the awesome cover of Mad World [though not from the show I went to!], here). All of the songs are very fun, some cabaret-style, and lots of dodgy lyrics, but I like it lots. My favourite track is Mandy Goes to Med School, but My Alcoholic Friends and Backstabber are awesome too!
10. Tom Waits - Orphans
This is my favourite album of the year - three cds of Tom Waits. Whooo! I've not had a chance to listen to it properly yet because I only got it the other day, but I love what I've heard so far. There's even a cool stop-motion video made for the first song, shot by Danny Clinch.
Those are about all I can be bothered with for now (since I've been writing this for hours now... I'm easily distracted!). The new Dashboard album was pretty good (I loved the track with Adam Duritz though!) I also liked The Boy Least Likely To album and Angels & Airwaves. Best new discoveries of the year though come in the form of Tori Amos and The Divine Comedy. Ryan Adams has still be rocking my world (especially with his online album releases haha!). I'm looking forward to albums from him next year, as well as the new Counting Crows. Huzzah! Jason Mraz has taken a large amount of my listening time too!
Over and out, kiddies.
1 . Scott Matthews - Passing Stranger
This album may have been released on a smaller label towards the end of last year, but I found out about it in the summer so it's on my list! His debut album, but it's very good. His voice is similar to Chris Cornell (though not as powerful), and his guitar playing is awesome. There are even some tabla tracks to break the thing up a bit. My fave tracks are Dream Song (here!), Elusive and the Tabla Jams.
2. Rodrigo Y Gabriela - (Self-titled)
I think this album would fit into the category of world music, somewhere between flamenco and jazz-fusion. There are some very cool covers, including Stairway to Heaven, but the guitar-playing is phenomenal (it's all instrumental). Check out Diablo Rogo here.
3. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
I've been converted to a Dylan fan this year after hearing his more recent albums. Actually, after hearing a live show... The album has a mixed reception but I like it - it's a mix of slower tracks and rockin' stuff. Fave tracks include Thunder on the Mountain, The Levee's Gonna Break and Beyond the Horizon. (On a side-note, has anybody seen the ad with a cover of Hard Rain's A'Gonna Fall? It is awful! Jason Mraz does an awesome cover of it though.)
4. Nightmare of You - (Self-titled)
I love this album! It makes me smile biggly. Ex-members of The Movielife and Glassjaw. They are one of my few exceptions to 'dislike indie bands' rule, though the music is a little different. Fave tracks are The Days Go By Oh! So Slow, Ode to Serotonin and In the Bathroom Is Where I Want You.
5. Neal Casal - No Wish to Reminisce
The current 'second' guitarist in the Cardinals, he's got an awesome voice - a little like Rufus Wainwright. I saw him do a solo set in September (with Ryan Adams drumming!) and it was pretty special. The album is very good, though I prefer him playing acoustic. Fave tracks include Sleeping Pills in Stereo, Grand Island and Lost Satellite (here, with Ryan Adams on drums).
6. KT Tunstall - Acoustic Extravanganza
I'm happy to have more KT Tunstall to listen to this year! My favourite track is Throw Me a Rope, but there are loads of new songs on here, as well as a few old tracks redone. Check out here cover of I Want You Back.
7. Tenacious D - Pick of Destiny
I don't care that it's only the soundtrack, it's an awesome album! I love the mix of acoustic to metal, and Dave Grohl is on it so kudos. There are some amusing soundbites from the movie, but the best tracks are the metal ones (as well as Classico!). Hurrah for the D.
8. Tool - 10,000 Days
For ages this was my fave cd out this year. I've not listened to it so much recently, but still... I love the sound, how it's so ominous and brooding, and it builds up and up. It's an awesome album to listen to in the dark and feel the atmosphere. I can't remember which tracks were my favourite 'cos I never knew the names in the first place, but nevermind.
9. Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia
Dresden Dolls at the Roundhouse was one of the best gigs I've seen this year (especially the awesome cover of Mad World [though not from the show I went to!], here). All of the songs are very fun, some cabaret-style, and lots of dodgy lyrics, but I like it lots. My favourite track is Mandy Goes to Med School, but My Alcoholic Friends and Backstabber are awesome too!
10. Tom Waits - Orphans
This is my favourite album of the year - three cds of Tom Waits. Whooo! I've not had a chance to listen to it properly yet because I only got it the other day, but I love what I've heard so far. There's even a cool stop-motion video made for the first song, shot by Danny Clinch.
Those are about all I can be bothered with for now (since I've been writing this for hours now... I'm easily distracted!). The new Dashboard album was pretty good (I loved the track with Adam Duritz though!) I also liked The Boy Least Likely To album and Angels & Airwaves. Best new discoveries of the year though come in the form of Tori Amos and The Divine Comedy. Ryan Adams has still be rocking my world (especially with his online album releases haha!). I'm looking forward to albums from him next year, as well as the new Counting Crows. Huzzah! Jason Mraz has taken a large amount of my listening time too!
Over and out, kiddies.