Wed 13 Dec 2006
FREQUENT CONTRIBUTOR & HARDWORKER, KEVIN’S BEST OF 2006
Posted by Krist under MUSIC , BEST OF 20061 Comment
IF YOU MISSED OUR FIRST BEST OF 2006 POST CLICK HERE.
THIS IS Kevin’s Best of 2006 list.
Make Believe – Of Course.
Make Believe – “Pat Tillman, Emmit Till”
Tim Kinsella returns, with what just might be his most realized project to date (with the possible exception of the quite perfect Owls record). Fans of his work both old and new will be pleased, as he retains the youthful vigor and feverish intensity of his salad days, while also offering up a polished, musically complex sound that doesn’t relent once it gets its canines dug into you. If you like dancing while reciting DaDa-esque verse about all manner of pop culture references at the top of your lungs, look into this record my friend. Personally speaking, any album that name checks Kurt Cobain, UFOs and Lindy England has my attention.
Bert Jansch – Black Swan.
Mr. Bert Jansch is perhaps better known for his work in the mighty folk ensemble Pentangle, but his chops as a solo artist are nothing to be trifled with. There’s a great deal being made about folk music these days, but it stands to reason that the original purveyors of the genre probably said/say it best, as opposed to the throngs of wild-haired Williamsburg hipsters that follow in their sizable footsteps. But just in case somebody does bring their kids along, Bert brings his friends Beth Orton and Devendra Banhart to the party too. And that’s nice and all - go team - but listen to the song “High Days” and tell me this is not the work of a seasoned master. And also, please pass the tissues, because a man in his upper 50’s just made me cry.
Joanna Newsom – Ys.
This little lady sure packs a wallop. Five songs on an album in any other artist’s catalog would probably constitute an EP’s worth of music. But Ms. Newsom bangs out a proper full length album in those five tracks, full of MENSA-worthy wordplay, playful variation, complex layering and an overall mastery of song craft. It doesn’t hurt that living legend Van Dyke Parks provided some absolutely gorgeous string arrangements either (he used to do scores for this indie film company called Disney). This album is leaps and bounds ahead of her last one (and I thought that was pretty darn great too). I can’t do it any justice, it has to be heard to be believed. And then heard many more times to be appreciated. Oh, did I mention she plays a god damn harp? Brilliant.
Bob Dylan – Modern Times.
Bob Dylan – “Spirit on the Water” (Aquarium Drunkard has it HERE)
So, there’s this guy Bob Dylan that you probably heard about. Yeah… You should look into him. Anyway, this is his latest and it’s… pretty damn good. Just because the dude is getting on in his years, doesn’t mean he’s fading in any respect. Ever the contrarian, Bob still throws out lyrical zingers that would cut to the quick even the sturdiest of offenders. And, in addition to zinging, at his age, he’s been around the block a few times and can write a love song that will remind you that you were so much older then, but you’re younger than that now. You know what? I can’t believe you’re actually reading my dumb opinion about Bob Dylan. Go buy this!
Bonnie Prince Billy – The Letting Go.
Bonnie Billy – “Cursed Sleep” (Aquarium Drunkard has this one HERE.)
Crazy Prince Billy turns out his latest chapter in his ever-expanding, ever-sprawling catalog. On the heels of an album as spectacular as Superwolf (his last offering), it would ordinarily be tough to maintain expectations. But, Sir William delivers. Superwolf seems to have shaken Billy of some of the idiosyncratic constraints that can stifle his songwriting at times (namely a lack of variation within albums, my chief complaint with otherwise lovely works like Master and Everyone). Oldham’s passion as a songwriter has never seemed more evident, nor more vibrant. The Letting Go is a lasting affair that stays with you well after the album ends.
Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions.
Okay, American bands, you’ve got some explaining to do: why is it the most passionate and lively performance I saw all year was by a man who is the same age as my father? Oh, what’s that? He’s the Boss? Yes, you’re right. He is. And even though he’s singing another man’s songs, he’s bringing his A game to the table. This album is a lovely amalgamation of spirited delivery, pleading earnestness, playful jamming and serious songwriting. By mining into the timeless subjects of death, struggle, poverty and heartache, Springsteen sheds a beam of much-needed light on the troubled times of today.
Six Organs of Admittance – The Sun Awakens.
Six Organs – “Black Wall” (The MUSO has it HERE.)
Ben Chasny is conjurer, an alchemist, a wizard of the first order. In a matter of minutes, he can introduce a song with fragile acoustic strumming, then build with a flourish of intricate finger picking to a sudden burst, creating a blistering wall of sound that will knock your ears flat on their respective asses. And then, just as suddenly as you were taken on the journey, he stops the train and brings you back around to square one again. If you can learn to appreciate the long and winding ride and trust that Chasny can steer the ship back to port, you’re in for a rewarding and engrossing listening experience. (Wow, lots of transportation metaphors today, huh?) Also, the last song on the album will effectively melt your brain.
Om – Conference of the Birds.
I can’t decide if this is the heaviest record I bought all year, or the most accessible. Om’s music is that ethereal and elusive, you’ll have trouble pinning it down. Which, generally speaking, is the mark of a true artist. Comprised only of bass, drums and chanted vocals, Conference of the Birds is deceptively simple. However, with repeated listens, you’ll catch little fills, shifts in tone, pace and other little sonic delights that you didn’t notice previously. And, eventually, you’ll realize that 17 minutes has gone by and you’re still listening to the same song. And you know what? Even when it’s over, it will seem too fleeting.
The Sleepy Jackson – Personality: One Was a Spider, One Was a Bird.
Sleepy Jackson – “You Needed More” (Renaissance Men Don’t Surf has it HERE.)
I don’t know what kind of drugs Luke Steele is taking, but man, I want some. Although he drenches his songs in infinite melodies, countless chord progressions and enough psychedelic lyrical imagery to make your head spin, the end product is surprisingly easy to stomach. What’s more, its sincerity is palpable. You get the sense Steele takes his flighty, trippy songs very seriously. I suppose when you take three years between albums, you can afford to be picky the details. All I can say is, it was worth the wait and I can’t wait to see what Steele has in store for us in 2009.
Boris & Sun-O))) – Altar.
Boris/Sun-O))) – “The Sinking Belle (blue sheep)” (Our friends at INDIES FOR BUNNIES has it HERE.)
In Back to the Future, when Marty McFly says, “This is heavy,” Doc Brown responds with “Weight has nothing to do with it!” Well, it’s clear that Doc never heard a Boris record. Because not only is Boris heavy in a philosophical sense, they’re kicking it to you on a gravitational level too. Following their fantastical 2005 offering, Pink, they’ve now come together for a full length collaboration with the heaviest of heavies, Sun-O))). One could argue that a meeting of these minds might reverse the earth’s gravitational pull. And they might be right. If the sun is shining, and birds are chirping outside your window, this is not the album to put on. But if you’re sitting in your room at night writing existential poetry by candlelight (rhyme), I think you’ll find this album to be complementary to the equation.
Destroyer – Destroyer’s Rubies.
Destroyer – “Painter in your Pocket”
I don’t pretend to know what Dan Bejar is talking about 95% of the time, nor do I really care. This guy is like a rock n’ roll encyclopedia and listening to him spout off at the mouth is something like listening to the exquisite corpse poetry of Lester Bangs, with the eccentric delivery of a young Dylan. Yeah, I know, those are big names, but Bejar knows what he’s talking about. I think. Regardless, his music is oddly infecting. You’ll find yourself singing along to the most ridiculous lyrics, song structures and instrumentation – and you know what? It will make all sense.
Comets on Fire – Avatar.
Comets on Fire – “Lucifer’s Memory” ( Robosexual has it HERE.)
Wow, to say this album is a step in an awesome direction is an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, I loved their previous “Blue Cathedral” to pieces, but it did get a little grating on the ears after a while. I’m pleased to report that, yes, the Comets have changed directions, and yes, it was a great move. This album still has so many intricate psych-heavy grooves, jams and freak-outs, you’ll think you slipped into a hallucinatory vortex of some kind. But don’t worry, it’s okay. You’re just listening to one of the best albums of the year. Next to the Boss, this was also the most spirited live show I saw in 2006, totally face melting. And the song “Lucifer’s Memory” is my number one bike ride anthem of the year. Pick this up!
Current 93 – Black Ships Ate the Sky.
Granted, this is my third Ben Chasny-related recommendation in this list (he’s also in Comets on Fire), but homeboy is coming correct this year! Ben played guitar for this album, which is really the brainchild of an altogether spooky, literate and biblically-inspired fellow named David Tibet. Tibet paints pictures of the trials of Jesus Christ (no, seriously, it’s fucked up), the decline of the Roman empire and apocalyptic images of floating doomsday ships that come to tear humanity a new one. I mean, this guy could have been a character on Twin Peaks. Throw in some kickass cameos from Bonnie Billy, Shirley Collins, Antony (of the Johnsons), Marc Almond, Baby Dee and the aforementioned Six Organist, you’ve got yourself one creepy jamboree.
Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped.
Yes, yes, yes. The “Youth” tag is getting less amusing as time goes by, but luckily this bunch still holds up the “Sonic” end of the bargain. From the opening riff of “Reena,” they get their hooks in you. In addition to serving up smoking guitars, however, what I am constantly taken by is how smooth this album sounds. With repeated listens, you get the sense that the Youths are growing tired of their more rambunctious ways of yesteryear. There is a sense of polish to this album that I personally welcome, because after making an album called Dirty, they really sort of brought it on themselves to tighten things up. You can’t stay too dirty after Dirty, right? Right. And when I say clean, I don’t mean sterile or overproduced. I just mean they’ve grown into a more mature, economically-minded Youth. Our little baby’s all growns up.
Yo La Tengo – I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass.
First of all, I don’t care if this album was recorded in a toilet bowl with a toothless man playing a one-stringed guitar – with a title like that, it deserves at least one listen. And once you hear this album, you’ll want to hear it many more times. I really didn’t jump on the wagon with their S-heavy releases “The Sounds of the Sounds of Science” or “Summer Sun” albums (though the previous 2 before that were marvelous) but this album is the Yo La that I Tengo deep in my heart. It’s a real mixed bag too – it runs the gamut from 10 minute guitar anthems like the opening track (also of exceedingly long title), fast paced piano jams, slow burns (usually the ones with Georgia’s vocals), lovely love ballads and frenzied keyboard spazz-a-thons. In short, everything you loved (or didn’t know you loved) about YLT, with a pretty little bow on top and an ass-kicking title to boot.
If you like what Kevin has to say or just think he’s funny (looking) check out his blog HERE.
CHECK OUT SOME OTHER TOP TEN’S LISTS HERE AND HERE.
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