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| From | Sam Smith <sam@lullabypit.com> |
| Subject | Re: 2006, let's hear it |
| Date | Tue, 12 Dec 2006 10:38:50 -0500 |
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This is a really hard year for me, in some respects. I've heard a LOT
that I like, but picking a VERY fave is tough. So a few nominees:
* Don Dixon: The Entire Combustible World in One Small Room - a nifty
concept album, with all the songs being about rooms, more or less.
Don's last outing was more pensive than his previous work, and this
one is even more so. It's not that it's without its hooky moments,
but the focus is on a deeper exploration of character and place, and
as such it's NOT Most of the Girls Like to Dance... Very rich,
extremely nuanced.
* Shiny Toy Guns - neo-'80s, and somebody been listening to some
Alphaville. This is probably my favorite 2006 release to listen to,
although I don't think it's the BEST CD of the year.
* The Strays: Le Futur Noir - A little hard to classify. Neo-punk in a
very Clash sort of way, but less fawning over the influences than
some nu wave bands of the last couple years. Really, just an
extraordinary record top to bottom - great songs, great performances.
* Arctic Monkeys - This band generated the biggest hype in the UK since
Oasis, sounds like, and for once the hype is deserved. I keep waiting
for the next big thing to come along, but all I usually get is a
rehash of the thing that happened 20 years ago. In this case, the
band sounds genuinely fresh, pulling influences from all over the
place without it seeming labored at all. Sort of like if Jet were
more concerned with 2006 than with 1976.
* Electric Six - okay, above when I said STG was my favorite to listen
to, I lied. This is big, dumb rock at its most gloriously, cleverly
big and dumb. My wife wants to hate it so badly, thanks to lyrics in
songs like "Infected Girls" and "I Buy the Drugs," but she just CAN'T
because the songs are so damned catchy. This is what Barenaked Ladies
could be like if they could just get over themselves.
* The Killers - Wow. For their second record they go all homage on Born
to Run? Didn't see that coming. I'm not sure they're quite as grand
as they think they are, but it's really nice to see a band TRYING for
something epic. More consistent songwriting, and aside from the fact
that it doesn't quite have the killer single that the debut did, an
altogether better effort.
* Jets Overhead - Swirling, etherial, atmospheric. GREAT songs - sort
of like if shoegazer had happened in SF in 1965. On the whole, this
is probably my pick for best disc of the year. And you can download
it free off their Web site.
* She Wants Revenge - 2 LA producer/musician/DJs with a hard-on for Joy
Division. Only unlike Joy Dividion, this is listenable. Very funny in
spots, too - at least they don't take the neo-post-punk angst too
seriously.
--
_______________________
Sam Smith, PhD
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