Listmania!
Top 40 Finds of 2006
By an Amazon.com customer
The AttractionThe Attraction by EVENING OCEAN
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $35.39
Best New Artist of 2006 Evening Ocean's The Attraction is a breathtaking masterpiece that inspires complete and utter abandon into musical bliss. The styles shift from ambient to dance and from pure pop to mesmerizing electronica. This is more than music, this is art. The more I listen to this album the more there is to experience. Truly magical!
5:555:55 by Charlotte Gainsbourg
Buy used from: $4.35
Wistful and creative poetic lyrics make Charlotte Gainsbourg seem wise beyond her years and at times she reminds me of her mother, Jane Birkin on her Fictions album. Charlotte's shyness in singing, which is very attractive in a delicate way, will in no doubt give way to a full range of vocal ecstasy in future albums.
The Only Thing I Ever WantedThe Only Thing I Ever Wanted by Psapp
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.53
Original and experimental with melodious appeal, Psapp weaves an intriguing spell as they present playful and especially creative electronica.
Tri-StateTri-State by Above & Beyond
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $8.99
Tri-State echoes within deep cavernous melodies, dissolving reality and awakening into a mesmerizing trance with oceanic reverberations.
The GardenThe Garden by Zero 7
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $4.99
Electronica with a soulful edge, Zero 7 invites you into a warm captivating world of shaggy carpet moods. Acoustic guitar accentuates as catchy lyrics flow into addictive grooves. The vocals are especially dreamy and I feel like I'm seeing the sound in psychedelic swirls.
This Binary UniverseThis Binary Universe by BT
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $8.95
In this masterpiece of electronic modern art, BT invites you into an experience of visual and audio meditation. The mood is one of spacious mesmerizing textures that envelop and warm you from within. BT takes his time to reach orchestral perfection and studies elements of chaos and harmony with a sense of elegance.
The Last KissThe Last Kiss by Original Soundtrack
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $4.91
The Last Kiss soundtrack has a mature introspective flavor that is still exciting and ambitious all while delving deeply into the heart of life's conflicts and complexity.
Urban AngelUrban Angel by Natalie Walker
Buy used from: $7.95
Soft and dreamy, this is an escape into solitary contemplation, memories and sultry moods. Chill dreams throughout keep the music within a relaxing nighttime mood with the appeal of falling helplessly in love.
The InformationThe Information by Beck
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $2.41
I think I'm in love with the way his voice navigates the poetry and plays with sensuality within technology. The lyrics tease and taunt the listener in the most intriguing ways. Complexity within creativity...
Elysium for the BraveElysium for the Brave by Azam Ali
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $8.48
Haunting and beautiful. Azam Ali’s poetic genius births itself into beauty as ancient strains of exotic memories weave spells of intrigue around her expressive voice. This is an album into which you may feel you are slowly immersed in a subtle warm intoxication.
Into the Blue AgainInto the Blue Again by The Album Leaf
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $5.01
Shimmering ambient meets translucent edge in a creative fusion with artistic appeal. An escape into satisfaction that leaves you filled with anticipation. The warmth is exciting and the casual coolness leaves you in mystery.
LoveLove by The Beatles
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.74
LOVE captures the excitement of the initial intention, blending perfection into a swirl of absolute heart-stopping ecstasy. At times it is a wild Beatles party and at other moments, an introspective solitude.
Eye to the TelescopeEye to the Telescope by KT Tunstall
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $2.05
KT Tunstall has poetic appeal and the songs on this album seem to reflect KT's heart and bring out the rapturous elements in her voice.
The Flower BookThe Flower Book by Émilie Simon
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $6.66
Many of the songs are like wild roses winding their way up castle walls and others are flower petals floating in watery worlds with electronic raindrops splashing into warm reverberations. This album expands into a richly textured garden of blossoming otherworldly atmospheres.
Dreaming Through the NoiseDreaming Through the Noise by Vienna Teng
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $7.61
Dreaming Through the Noise presents beautifully intimate lyrics with smooth silky vocals. Vienna Teng, who left the world of computer science to become a songwriter, invites you into a world of introspection. Her piano-driven songs may remind you of Tori Amos.
Nuages du MondeNuages du Monde by Delerium
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.94
Delerium captures a beautiful spirituality in this hypnotic ambient masterpiece. Etherial voices and acoustic perfection lead you into to a eloquent world-fusion with ecstatic perfection. Once you start listening to this album, you fall into a world of captivating otherworldly experiences.
The TourniquetThe Tourniquet by Magnet
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.13
Moody and Introspective. If you enjoy his music, you might also want to look for Imogen Heap. I listen to Magnet because I like being able to listen to dreamy romantic contemplations savoring each inflection of his voice in his magical electronic landscape. Comforting, relaxing, and definitely for those who enjoy each moment in music and the weaving of a delicate intimacy between souls.
StromataStromata by Charlotte Martin
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $3.30
Stromata is an encapsulated thunderstorm that breaks free in brief lightning in "Just Before Dawn" and then seems to soften in splashes of rain in "The Dance" that mingles the dry earth with a beautiful saturation of moods and places and completes the energetic infusion of all the previous songs.
SadhanaSadhana by Maneesh de Moor
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $8.99
Sadhana is a spiritually fulfilling and all-encompassing ambient journey led by sitar, piano, Persian santoor, African kalimba, haunting flutes, chanting, guitar, percussion and vocals expertly mixed with water and animal sounds.
Piece by PiecePiece by Piece by Katie Melua
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $7.96
Eternal love, haunting flute, guitar, piano, sweet sexy lyrics and everything you could wish for in a romantic dream of a collection of songs. Katie Melua's crystalline voice is like the comfort of cold milk from a cold glass after taking a bite of a rich chocolate brownie.
PrécisPrécis by Benoît Pioulard
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $9.19
Intense and veiled, the first track builds into a ecstatic release and sudden closure. The mood is one of a dark forest near the ocean. The second song contains a certain dissonance that speaks of an emotional depth that is being unveiled. Static echoes turn to melodious revelations as the album starts to escape, although the vocals still seem to be swirling underneath a sea of haunted solitude.
Lady in the WaterLady in the Water
Buy used from: $8.96
James Newton Howard creates rich textures that ebb and flow through mysterious ghostly sways that come alive in sheer orchestral magnificence. Suspense runs rampant throughout peeking out, hiding and then jumping at you in terrified grandeur.
Tower of LoveTower of Love by Jim Noir
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $1.54
This is an album you can put in the CD player and listen to without a worry in the world. If you love Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, The Beach Boys or The Beatles, you might really fall in love with this sound.
Gold and WaxGold and Wax by Gigi
Buy new: $10.97 / Used from: $5.00
You honestly don't need to understand one word of Amharic to be completely entranced by each melodic rendition, although the layers of meaning may be hidden within the beauty. I love "Salam" and the images my mind forms as I imagine her singing this song out in an African night blissfully lost in her own ecstatic wild and sweet ziraleet.
AwakeAwake by Josh Groban
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $2.43
The lyrics on his new album are all deeply romantic and idealistic with sweeping lush textures and enveloping intoxication.
MoonWaterMoonWater by Rudy Adrian
Buy new: $14.99
MoonWater sweeps across stillness embracing moody textures and unveiling invisible dimensions of soul escape. The consistent mood throughout makes this perfect for relaxation, meditation, contemplation and inspiration.
African DreamAfrican Dream by Shaman's Dream
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $7.55
Shaman's Dream invites you into the world of nature sounds, primal chants, exotic rhythms and soul healing beats. This is a fusion of African music and electronica with warm appeal. Lightening crashes across the sky as birds cry, flying against a darkening sky. You are no longer at home, you are in Africa walking along a beach while the sky pours down in tears...
La Perla: NoirLa Perla: Noir by Danilo Venturi
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $4.64
Mysterious movies, an intoxication by exotic perfumes, nights beneath a full moon lost in a kiss, these are the moods in La Perla: Noir. You almost feel compelled to dress up to listen to this CD, preferably in something by La Perla and perhaps wearing something like La Perla by La Perla perfume.
Moon Over the FreewayMoon Over the Freeway by The Ditty Bops
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $0.79
Refreshing lyrics and completely original creative miracle.
Autumn ContinentAutumn Continent by Between Interval
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $38.80
Spacious worlds warm into a delicate isolated ambience. Especially relaxing if you are sinking into a bath or spending the night in a calm dreamy mood.
The Idan Raichel ProjectThe Idan Raichel Project by Idan Raichel
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.99
Idan Raichel combines ancient traditions with modern technology to create enchanting rhythms that take off in the second track and melt with a warmth that is soothing and harmonious in beauty. At this point you almost fall into the music and let it take your soul on a journey.
Goodbye Alice in WonderlandGoodbye Alice in Wonderland by Jewel
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $3.40
Jewel's lyrics are still poetic and "Life without you is just passing time," and "Everywhere you are feels like home," brings a sense of longing and nurturing to her new album. She still seems to be looking into the mirror of a life she longs for, but in places she becomes realistic about the contrast between reality and fantasy.
Under the Iron SeaUnder the Iron Sea by Keane
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $3.03
Melancholy with Edge...Introspective and beautiful lyrics along with social commentary leave you wanting more. If you love Coldplay, you will adore Keane.
The Carnegie Hall ConcertThe Carnegie Hall Concert by Keith Jarrett
Buy new: $29.98 / Used from: $10.29
The Carnegie Hall Concert is completely overwhelming in the most beautiful of ways! This is the Ultimate Keith Jarrett experience! Keith Jarrett reaches beyond excellence and touches the divine in a spark of unequaled creativity born of an intimacy with music that defies definition on the mortal plane of existence.
Funnel CloudFunnel Cloud by Hem
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $5.44
Relaxing like being in the country watching the clouds go by.
Desert OceanDesert Ocean by Lanterna
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $7.99
Lanterna creates musical landscapes of high creativity while remaining centered in a crystalline perfection. This is a journey through guitarist Henry Frayne's world of ambient spaces.
U218 Singles [CD/DVD Combo]U218 Singles [CD/DVD Combo] by U2
Buy used from: $23.98
This album is a moment you won't mind being stuck in and it captures the excitement of the U2 experience that encompasses many musical angles from soothing melodious comfort to sharp awareness of what it truly means to be alive in a world filled with conflict.
Open SeasonOpen Season by Feist
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $4.44
Playful in beauty, Feist's Open Season is a mingling of richly orchestrated sounds and remixes.
On an IslandOn an Island by David Gilmour
Buy new: $8.98 / Used from: $3.50
While the lyrics are entertaining in content, it is how David Gilmour plays with the music and merges his voice into the notes with his signature pacing that captures my full attention. This Heaven is a vibrant selection with a spiritual sexy dimension.