2006 Revisited

Yeah, I find may way into my local record store at least twice a month, and I never leave empty-handed. And yikes -- I've discover eMusic! But it's been a slow start to 2007 -- not much new that's compelling. So I'll kick off my music reviewing with a recap of 2006. Plus, you don't expect Top 10's at this time of year.

2006's top ten: Out of the hundreds of candidates, these albums still find their way into my cd player.

1. Belle & Sebastian -- The Life Pursuit: This from a band that usually flies well below my radar. The production is slick and polished, and the sound is rich. The songs here rock a bit harder than the typical B&S fare, yet they do retain the charm and grace usually asscoiated with this band. And the lyrics often belie the "prettiness" of the music, as in "so fuck them too. . ." It is pop music that's as sophisticated as it gets. And no empty calories here.

2. The Hold Steady -- Boys and Girls in America: Pure and simple, this one rocks, and hard. Craig Finn adds a little more singing to his unique lyric-speaking style, and we willingly follow the drug and Jesus fueled characters in these songs as they wander between parties and introspection. This is the album I wanted to put at #1; however, even though it's much more listenable than the group's previous effort Separation Sunday, it loses some edge in giving us that accessability. Yeah, we wanna "walk around and drink" too.

3. Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band -- We Shall Overcome: When I first heard about this project I was dismayed and disheartened. I admit, I hate Pete Seeger, and Peter Paul and Mary, and The Kingston Trio, and well, any of those acoustic only, pre-Dylan folkies. But . . . this record has nothing to do with that music. Yeah, Seeger may have sung these songs, but he didn't write them, and the treatment they recieve here bears no resemblance. The sound of this album is a mixture of Dixieland, Memphis roadhouse and Kansas City honky tonk with a dash of Celtic and a pinch of Chicago Blues, and that probably doesn't cover it. The songs on this work are quite simply brought to life like never before. Note: two versions were released. the extended version includes five additional songs that were added in as the tour unfolded.

4. Lloyd Cole -- Antidepressant: I really don't know why this has gotten so much play in my machine. On it's surface it's a bit ordinary. But the turns of phrase sneak up on you, and the tunes stick in your head and follow you around the next day. Not a rocker by any means, yet not bubble gum either. It grabs this spot simply because it keeps finding it's way back into my changer, like a kid brother you can't quite shake. Plus one of the most apt lines for many of us writers: "I said I'm tryin' to write my novel, she said, neither am I, and either way I saw you reading No Depression . . . with my medication i will be fine."

5. The Dears -- Gang of Losers: Seems to be a concept album. Seems to take a stand against what's going on in the world, specifically the world that the U.S. may be trying to create. The songs tie together well, and the material has an edge, though not overly so. Wouldn't call this independent rock, but it's not quite mainstream either. It is infectious and well crafted.

6. Peter Mulvey -- The Knuckleball Suite: I admit, I buy some albums merely because the title grabs me. And sometimes I'm rewarded far beyond expectations. This just sounded like it would be good, maybe because I like baseball, who knows. This is big city folk music. The songs are poems here, though a cryptic line creeps in here and there, the images and characters are clear and welcome. The music, while not fully acoustic, owes something to the early part of the twentieth century. There's some swing and some waltz-time to go along with the rock rhythms that typically accompany city folk artists.

7. The Twilight Singers -- Powder Burns: A darker, slower burning compainion to Boys and Girls in America. The content covers many of the same themes; however, the tone is less joyous, and you feel that the characters here are in more imminent danger. While the Hold Steady's album begs to be played loudly in your car on a sunny day, rolling along at 70 mph, with the windows rolled down, this one asks you to wait for the night to come down before popping it in, a shot of whiskey in hand.

8. Destroyer -- Destroyer's Rubies: Can someone, anyone, tell me what the hell Dan Bejar is singing about? Really, it just seems like a ton of random thoughts strung together until nothing makes much sense. Yet I love it. The music casts some really good magic, with rambling melodies and la-la-las all over the place. It seems like an organized mess, and there's the sound of beauty in it.

9. Jon Auer -- Songs From the Year of our Demise: Sometimes when an artist bears his soul, exposes his venom and goes through a cathartic creative process, the result not only entertains but instructs as well. It seems as though Jon Auer went through quite an ordeal, and I'm not sure he could have left much out by the time this one finishes. Some of the material may be dark, but the album doesn't depress. More bitter than sweet to be sure, but some hope does reside, some redemption.

10. Tommy Keene -- Crashing the Ether: You mean, crashing guitars, burning guitars and more guitars. Layered and building, and sometimes fierce. This one's all about electricity with an overdrive pedal. No Blues or Jazz noodling, nor any Marchall stack speed metal. Just some notes and chords and double stops all mixed up mid-tempo and authentic. Something Keith Richards could be proud of. Yeah, there's words and singing, but you come here for that guitar sound.

ALSO RANS: Cracker -- Greenland; Sacnners -- Violence is Golden; Ray Davies -- Other People's Lives; Hamell on Trial -- Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs; The Format -- Dog Problems; The Frames -- The Cost; Rodrigo y Gabriela -- Rodrigo y Gabriela; Cold War Kids -- Robbers and Cowards.

BEST BOX SET: Richard Thompson -- RT: The Life And Music of Richard Thompson. The songs on these five discs are alternate and live versions, so almost all were never released before. The way to do a boxed set.

BEST LIVE ALBUM: Paul Weller -- Catch Flame: The Jam, Style Council, and solo cuts all rocking harder than in the studion (ignore the drum solo). Bruce Springsteen -- Hammersmith Odeon, London '75: As good as it ever gets. Worth it just for the epic version of Kitty's Back.

BEST JAZZ ALBUMS: Pat Metheny & Brad Mehldau -- Metheny/Mehldau; Kenny Garret -- Beyond the Wall; Paul Motian Band -- Garden of Eden.

If 2007 doesn't liven up I might just post a 2005 recap. It's all up to you New Pornographers.

Tele