I know I missed the deadline, but here's my top 20 for 2006 
anyway.  This list is less worked over than usual for me, but I let 
it sit for a while and it still feels right.

1 Jim Crego - Caught Sleeping
A perverse choice, especially for a #1 pick, because it's basically 
unreleased, existing only as a CD-R that Crego (ex-God's Favorite 
Band) has given away to friends and associates.  If only all the 
records I *paid* for were this good!  With some songs dating back a 
decade (when they were live favorites with Truck Stop Love and TV 
Fifty), there are no duds here.  Some have that ramshackle Mats-esque 
Minneapolis rock feel, while others are surprisingly jangly.  I have 
permission to copy this for anyone interested, especially if you were 
a GFB fan--so if that's you, get in touch.

2 The Anderson Council - The Fall Parade
Superb.  My first full album from this band, though they've provided 
highlights on a couple of compilations in recent years.

3 Buzzcocks - Flat Pack Philosophy
Still going strong.

4 Sloan - Never Hear the End of It

5 The Pernice Brothers - Live a Little

6 Jon Auer - Songs from the Year of Our Demise

7 Mission of Burma - The Obliterati

8 Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Her star is climbing.  I actually don't like this as much as previous 
efforts "Blacklisted" and "Canadian Amp," though.

9 Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass

10 The Keene Brothers - Blues and Boogie Shoes
Robert Pollard and Tommy Keene are a winning combination.  I haven't 
been so happy with Pollard's other releases of late, but Keene's 
melodies keep him on track.

11 Aimee Mann - One More Drifter in the Snow
I know it's a Christmas record, but it still belongs.

12 The Futureheads - News and Tributes
A slight letdown after the first record, but not as much as first feared.

13 The Dears - Gang of Losers

14 Cheap Trick - RockFord
Thank god they came back from "Special One."  This is their best 
since the must-have Red Ant album.

15 Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs - Under the Covers, Vol. 1

16 Mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You

17 Built to Spill - You in Reverse

18 Dead Girls Ruin Everything - What a Perfect Ending
A local act featuring the rhythm section from Ultimate Fakebook and 
the frontmen from Podstar.  Available nationwide, with loads of cheap 
promos on Amazon and Half.com, if you're inclined to buy 
those.  Recommended for fans of the heavier sides of the Posies and 
Teenage Fanclub.

19 Ray Davies - Other People's Lives

20 The Figgs - Follow Jean Through the Sea
Could be higher, but I probably haven't had enough time with it yet.



And that's that.  I've enjoyed seeing all the other lists.

Randy