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| From | Rob Winder <rob_winder@yahoo.com> |
| Subject | My Top 20 albums for 2006 |
| Date | Sat, 6 Jan 2007 13:14:23 +0000 (GMT) |
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HI
OK... I'll play... after much thought and deliberation... though it has
to be said form 12 downwards the order could have changed on pretty
much any day...
Best of 2006
1 - The Damnwells - Air Stereo
Second album from a band I first saw supporting Cheap Trick a few years
ago in New Orleans. Great songs from start to end, a complete album.
2 - The Format - Dog Problems
Discovered via the web - a post on Kurt's Krap that led me to their
MySpace page. One of many albums discovered in a similar way this year.
Power pop of the highest order.
3 - The Twilight Singers - Powder Burns
Greg Dullli continues to be one of the most consistently excellent
songwriters out there. The ever-evolving Twilight Singers are at their
best here.
4 - Damone - Out Here All Night
I first heard them on The Cars tribute CD last year. In his Classic
Rock review Geoff Barton said it was Blondie with Motley Crue guitars.
He was just about right. Classy, catchy songs that bring back memories
of 80's rock crossed with Avril Lavigne (we can only hope her
forthcoming Butch Walker-produced album is this good).
5 - Under The Influence Of Giants - Under The Influence Of Giants
Another from the web. Where Air meet Jellyfish and Scissor Sisters.
Melodic dancey pop.
6 - Thirsty Merc - Thirsty Merc
The best Aussie record of the year. Wolfmother may have got the
plaudits globally, but this is a great album. One stone classic - In
The Summertime, which I still can';t believe their label could not get
away anywhere outside Australasia - and many other solid melodic rock
songs. Looking forward to their next album.
7 - Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death
I haven't thought much of any Maiden album since Number Of The Beast in
1982. But this was special and Bruce's voice sounds great. If you
haven't listened to Iron Maiden in 20 years this is surprisingly
melodic.
8 - Paul Westerberg - Open Season OST
Ok there were a few songs by other artists - and we really do not need
to hear Talking Heads' Wild Wild Life in another cartoon animals music
- but this was Westerberg's best collection of songs as a solo artist.
Especially exciting were the songs with the band he had out on tour in
2005 - His Only Friends - hope he can get back in the studio with them
when his hand recovers.
9 - Buckcherry - 15
The hard, sleazy rock'n'roll album this year. Cool, catchy songs.
Brought the fun back.
10 - Soul Asylum - The Silver Lining
It can be worrying when bands you really like decide to reform and
record again.That was not the case here, melodic pop-tinger rock. Up
there with their best. It's about time they toured the UK.
11 - Butch Walker - The Rise And Fall Of Butch Walker And The Lets Go
Out Tonites
Taking a break from producing emo bands and pop stars, Butch's third
solo album brings 70s-glam to power pop.
12 - Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
The rise of Neko continues and we can only hope it continues. Great
voice, great songs. Can't ask for more.
13 - Clearlake - Amber
By far the best they have done. Cool and melodic,
Brist-sixties-psychedelia meets desert-styled rock. They really should
get Chris Goss to produce their next one.
14 - Cheap Trick - Rockford
One of the best of their career, and that is saying something.
15 - Matthew Sweet and Susannah Hoffs - Under The Covers Vol 1
This is how a covers album should be done. Please can we have Volume 2
soon.
16 - The Wreckers - Stand Still Look Pretty
I never thought I'd buy an album by Michelle Branch, but this recorded
with one of her friends brings back the early-70s LA singer-song writer
style of Elektra, Asylum and Reprise. Full of good songs.
17 - OK-GO - Oh No
The videos on YouTube may have brought them to a wider audience, but
the album marks them out as one of the best power-pop acts out there.
18 - Wolfmother - Wolfmother
Very Led Zep - but very enjoyable. Mike Patton might disagree.
19 - Tool - 10,000 Days
Maybe not as great an album as Lateralus, but Tool still lead the way
in intelligent art-rock, with an eye to the whole package not just the
music.
20 - Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam
Surprising return to form. Their most consistent album since Vs. Where
the other hard-rock super stars Red Hot Chili Peppers (should learn to
edit, there was probably a good 45 minute album buried in there
somewhere) and Audioslave (still not reaching the heights of either
RATM or Soundgarden) struggled, Pearl Jam strode ahead musically, this
is melodic classic rock and it sounds great.
Just missing out - National Anthem - Radio On (70-s radio rock like
Cheap Trick and Starz), Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan - Ballad Of
The Broken Seas (was surprised how well this worked), The Veronicas -
The Secret Life Of The Veronicas, and My Chemical Romance - The Black
Parade (should probably have listened to this more, touring with Green
Day last year obviously did them good)
rob
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