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Nov 21, 2006 21:07

I don't update much (ever?) but I'm home sick without much else to do. Nothing really worth writing about has gone on lately, but I've been completely blown away with music lately, and feel the need to share a few really amazing albums that have come out recently/are coming out soon (I am a sucker for bootlegs, what can I say?)

On second thought, let me make this a top10 albums of 2006 (thus far at least). Not exactly an easy feat, and this is by no means based on anything aside from what I like.

10. The Fray - How To Save A Life
I haven't listened to this a whole lot, but the two singles, How To Save A Life and Over My Head never get out of my head. The rest of the album is really beautiful, and I know I don't give it enough attention. They're a gorgeous (musically speaking here kids) band.

09. Matchbook Romance - Voices
One of my top bands, although again, they don't get the attention they deserve. These guys have come along way from being 'The Getaway' and they are one band I can truly say I have loved from nearly the start. I haven't listened to this in awhile sadly, but I actually pre-ordered it after I heard a download - that's saying something guys, I don't pre-order (or really actually but for that matter) anything. Monsters was a wicked lead-off single, Goody, Like Two Shoes became my anthem for awhile, and the whole album is just really, really good.

08. Morrissey - Ringleader of The Tormenters
Maybe I'm just too young, but I don't find anything bad about Morrissey's new stuff. Where I am concerned, any Morrissey is a good thing, alright? This album felt like a long time coming, with my other Morrissey/Smiths albums on a pretty steady rotation. I don't know if I can put it into words, but this album is pretty emotional, without being over the top. It's Morrissey which pretty much shoos it into any top-whatever I do, but even if it wasn't him, I think I'd love this a lot. The tunes are catchy and melodic, every track sounds different, yet they all fit together perfectly. You Have Killed Me hits home a lot, and everything else is just awesome.

07. The Game - The Doctor's Advocate
I haven't had this long enough to give it the listen it deserves, but after a single play the other day, I know it's pretty amazing. Game is easily my favorite rapper out there right now, there's just something amazing about him that I can't quite explain. His last album is a pretty constant staple in my playlist, he's my freakin' ringtone okay? I love this guy, and I love what I've heard from this.

06. Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
The first time I listened to this album, I just kind of sat there with my jaw dropped, because it was so pretty. Very Snow Patrol, they're a pretty sounding band. They seem to be a band I need to be in the mood for, so I can't listen constantly - but when I need them, boy do they do the job. I don't think there is a track on here I don't like, and while some of the songs kind of hurt, they're so good, it's worth it.

05. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
I will be the first to admit, I was way over the MCR thing a long time ago, probably before they redid the video for I'm Not Okay and started travelling with a legion of mall goth middle schoolers at their feet. Okay, so it was a bit past that, but I was definitely Chemed out for a long time. I had to listen to this though, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I heard. They didn't change anymore than a band should in the run of a few years, they grew, but they didn't completely morph into something new. I am ridiculously in love with these kids again, I love how this album is a themed one (I believe Gerard said it was about a guy - he had a name, but I can't remember - something about being dead, and joining the parade? I don't know man, but it was cool) and while the album tells a story, all the songs can stand on their own as well. It's still angsty enough to be angsty, but not so much that it gives me a headache, like a lot of the screamy-angry stuff does these days. I'm getting old - good thing these guys are growing up with me.

04. Fergie - The Duchess
If someone had told me a year (or less) ago that Fergie's solo album was going to get more than one half-hearted play from me, I probably would have laughed in their face and carried on. But not only did she get a hundred and seven or so plays, but she landed this high on my top 10. I don't know what it is about this album, but it's so... everything that I love. Hooks, beats, awesome to dance to and sing along with, lyrics that might not carry a whole lot of metaphor, but sure are fun to quote. Rock, rock, anyone? Wishin' that I didn't wear these shoes? I love it. She might not be the next prolific artist of our time, but she's fun man, and I love that.

03. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
This isn't even out yet, but my Gwennabe bff got an advance copy, and I gacked that in two seconds flat. I am in love with Wind It Up, and after hearing like, three tracks of this, I was so gone. Honestly, I am just giving this its first real listen as I write this, and I am not even done, but this shit is dope. With her last album, I ended up skipping through a lot, but I haven't even wanted to yet - in fact, I am not going to turn on the AMAs until after I finish this. This is another amazing dance record, and since that seems to be all I'm into these days well, it's a pretty perfect match - but at the same time, it's so much more than just pure dance. There's a lot of other influences on here, I could hear new wave and ska and hip hop and soul in here, which is a pretty strange, but pretty rad mix. Gwen is a musical Goddess. Gwen is life. Yeah. I went there.

02. Justin Timberlake - Justified
I am sort of pained by the fact JT is up here, in second place. Not because I don't love it - I do. But man, I was a Backstreet girl. Also, I fought this for so long, I refused to listen to Sexy/Back for a long time because I didn't want to like it - I knew as soon as I did, I'd be in love. Weird, I know, but I have issues with him, ha. Regardless, as soon as I gave this record a spin I was in love, there's the perfect mix of soul and hip-hop and dance on here, My Love is probably one of my favorite tracks in a longass time. There's nothing better to walk to than Lovestoned, Chop Me Up is sick, and (Another Song) All Over Again is just beautiful. Face it guys.... JT rules.

01. Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Of Me
Where do I even begin with this one? I've been waiting three years for a new Brand New album, I managed to avoid the demos that came out before this, and it was all so, so worth it. Since I've gotten this, it's barely been shut off, and I know it's going to be that way for awhile. Their last album hadn't gotten old yet, and I feel this one won't be any different. Beautiful doeesn't feel quite strong enough of a description, but it's the best I've got for now.

Honourable Mentions:
Billy Talent II, Alexisonfire - Crisis, T.I. - King, Nelly Furtado - Loose
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