Listmania!
Best Music of 2006
By an Amazon.com customer
PassoverPassover by The Black Angels
Buy used from: $8.98
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + The Dandy Warhols x Clinic = The Black Angels. It also adds up to an awesome cd.
Gulag OrkestarGulag Orkestar by Beirut
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.67
Good lord! A teenager is responsible for this? It's not fair!
Future WomenFuture Women by The M's
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $0.78
A ridiculously good cd. One catchy song after the other. I really hope you check it out.
The LoonThe Loon
Buy used from: $0.01
Another one of those hyped MP3 blog/Pitchfork approved indie rock bands. And they actually deserve the hype! They're like the Pixies meets Wolf Parade.
Robbers & CowardsRobbers & Cowards by Cold War Kids
Buy used from: $4.75
If you like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Wolf Parade, Tapes 'n Tapes, etc ... then you're going to like this. A solid live act too!
Be He MeBe He Me by Annuals
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $0.77
A very, very impressive debut from this indie-pop-folk-rock (whatever you want to call it) band from North Carolina.
You in ReverseYou in Reverse by Built to Spill
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $2.99
Why the five year wait between releases? I don't know but this has probably been my most anticipated cd for the past two years and it doesn't disappoint.
Post-WarPost-War by M. Ward
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.99
More arrangements and production this time around without losing the appeal of his low-key earlier albums which are all fantastic.
What the Toll TellsWhat the Toll Tells by Two Gallants
Buy new: $12.98 / Used from: $3.12
An eclectic mix of songs. One seems punk. Another folk. Another blues. And they take their name from a James Joyce short story. Check 'em out.
Declare a New State!Declare a New State! by The Submarines
Buy new: $10.97 / Used from: $6.20
I can't articulate this very well but a record that gets you from the very first song and then all of a sudden you've finished listening to the entire thing only to press play and start over again.
Till the Sun Turns BlackTill the Sun Turns Black by Ray LaMontagne
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $5.25
Comparisons to Nick Drake are inevitable but this is almost 180 degrees from his first album "Trouble" but in the very good way.
How We OperateHow We Operate by Gomez
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $4.05
A very underrated band. They're hard to categorize because each release is generally different from the one before it. But you really must check them out, especially live.
Curse Your Little HeartCurse Your Little Heart by DeVotchKa
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $4.03
You really have to get their amazing 2004 album "How It Ends" but this release along with the "Little Miss Sunshine" soundtrack should be a nice introduction to this incredible band.
Tell MeTell Me by Catfish Haven
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $0.74
The review called this a "break-up cd" which I suppose is true once you listen to the lyrics. But musically, it's so fun to listen to.
Every Waking MomentEvery Waking Moment by Citizen Cope
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $3.69
Musically he's so diverse. Think of a "funkier" Ray LaMontagne.
Ways Not to LoseWays Not to Lose by The Wood Brothers
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.69
I'm a fan of Medeski Martin & Wood so I was looking forward to this cd when I heard about it. The songs are very simple and very good. It's a great cd to listen to on a summer evening.
All This TimeAll This Time by Heartless Bastards
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $7.99
Awful band name! Awesome cd!
Things Go Better with RJ and AlThings Go Better with RJ and Al by Soul Position
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $0.97
RJD2 is the best producer in hip-hop (sorry Kanye) and Blueprint is one of the most underrated MC's. Together, they're Soul Position and this is good, good stuff.
Nux VomicaNux Vomica by The Veils
Buy used from: $3.96
Very nice follow up to the awesome debut album from essentially a solo artist because he has a whole new band on this record.
Show Your BonesShow Your Bones by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $5.91
I had kind of written them off as just another one of those New York garage bands but a friend lent me this and it's such a strong release compared to their first full length, which is a good sign.
Be Your Own PetBe Your Own Pet by Be Your Own Pet
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $0.65
Sure, compare it to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Gossip but it's just a cd with good old fashioned two and a half minute garage rock songs.
Magic PotionMagic Potion by The Black Keys
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.99
I have loved every release by this two piece (this is their fourth full length) and still don't know why they aren't more popular?
EingyaEingya by Helios
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $9.50
A very cool album. Easy listening, indie-style. It could be the score for a movie.
Last SecretsLast Secrets by The Like Young
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $0.14
A solid release from this married two-piece band. If you enjoy short, catchy songs then this should be for you.
Standing in the Way of ControlStanding in the Way of Control by Gossip
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $6.94
Man, can this girl ever sing. And it rocks too. Check out tracks 2, 6 & 7 and tell me otherwise.
With Love and SqualorWith Love and Squalor by We Are Scientists
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $2.34
Sure, there's nothing really groundbreaking here but it's still quite a catchy cd and there's potential for a lot more from them in the future.
It's Never Been Like ThatIt's Never Been Like That by Phoenix
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $7.98
I loved their last cd. This one moves in a little different direction but in a good way.
Nuclear DaydreamNuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $2.50
Very underrated and I don't know why. Please check him out.
Gravity Won't Get You HighGravity Won't Get You High by The Grates
Buy new: $38.99 / Used from: $2.78
This has been a good year for indie bands fronted by women. Add this to the mix.
Professor Murder Rides the SubwayProfessor Murder Rides the Subway by Professor Murder
Buy new: $8.98 / Used from: $2.67
One of the most promising EP's I've heard. They're like LCD Soundsystem meets TV on the Radio.
Black Holes and RevelationsBlack Holes and Revelations by Muse
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $9.97
A lot of people seem to love these guys and at the same time a lot of people hate them. I never understood the comparisons to Radiohead but they continually put out good cd's. This is no different.
ClassicsClassics by Ratatat
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $11.31
In the same vein as Helios in the sense that it's a pretty cool indie instrumental record.
SkeletonSkeleton by Figurines
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $1.68
Pretty much the Danish version of Modest Mouse.
Sing SongSing Song by The Little Ones
Buy used from: $0.60
A promising EP from this band, especially the song "Cha Cha Cha". I'm looking forward to their full length.
Derdang DerdangDerdang Derdang by Archie Bronson Outfit
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.54
They're like a British version of The Black Keys.
Under the SkinUnder the Skin by Lindsey Buckingham
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $0.95
Very nice. And unexpected too since I didn't even know he was working on a new album. Awesome guitar player.
WolfmotherWolfmother by Wolfmother
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $2.33
Their hype seems to have died down but this is still a good old fashioned rock cd.
The Audience's ListeningThe Audience's Listening by Cut Chemist
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.10
It's too bad he left Jurassic 5 because their new album was less than impressive. This solo album from him, however, is very impressive.
DrowatonDrowaton by The Starlight Mints
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $2.43
I had never heard of these guys before. It's a very fun cd to listen to. It was described perfectly with the phrase "bubblegum psych".
A Hundred Miles OffA Hundred Miles Off by The Walkmen
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $0.75
Very comparable to The Strokes. Especially in the sense that following a very, very good second album, the third release is at times hit or miss. Still, that half of the cd is good enough to warrant repeat listenings.