2006 in Review

These end-of-year reviews are harder and harder because I often find that I do not purchase the albums right away. I might download a few tracks and then eventually go back and find a cheap used copy of the CD. Or not. Or a few years after the release. I can't hardly bring myself to pay retail prices for CDs these days, especially if the only local outlets are B*rders or B*rnes & N*ble. (As a good friend once said, “It makes my butt itch just thinking about it.)

And thanks to those kind folks who have been upset that I haven't completed these year-end reviews in a timely fashion. For you, and you know who you are, Brian, here's my stab at 2006. Again, these are not necessarily albums which were released in 2006, but which found their way into my collection and especially into my ears during the year. Best first.

Stereolab: Fab Four Suture

I first downloaded “Eye of the Volcano” and what an excellent track! So we went and saw Stereolab at the 9:30 Club. An excellent show as well. I believe I bought Fab Four Suture at the show. I find it hard to resist playing this album over and over, though I know I should refrain, because if I do play it over and over, I'll just get tired of it.

Peter Murray: Ants and Angels

Another download, except this time I downloaded the entire album. The opener, “Gen X DJ on E” is most excellent and hilarious, too, in a sad sort of way. I like the description on the CD Baby page: “Intelligent, thoughtful, melodic pop that rocks”. Yeah, that's pretty good. Again, later on I bought the physical medium.

Luke Haines: Luke Haines is Dead

Hey, I still think Luke Haines is one of the best songwriters of his generation. And I know he's the most cynical and ascerbic. C'mon, name someone else. In any case, this box set gathers up many of the best tracks in his œuvre, using rare alternate versions and otherwise unavailable recordings whenever possible. Yeah, perhaps the original album or single versions are better in some cases, but really, who cares? I had to pay full price for this import because I wanted it. Now. Well, the now that was then, if you know what I mean.

Bert Lams: Nascent - Bach Preludes (on the steel string guitar)

And of course this is not just any steel string guitar. This is a steel string guitar in “New Standard Tuning”. Capo-ed up two frets. These are excellent performances of classic works by Bach. But I repeat myself. My only complaint, and it's a minor complaint at that, is that there seems to be a high-frequency ringing in the recording, which probably should have been rolled off. However, if audio verité is your thing, this recording perfectly captures the sound of the guitar.

P. Hux: Homemade Spaceship (The Music of ELO Performed by P. Hux)

An award-winning recording, if Hux is to be believed. Some of these interpretations are very very cool, but a few of them fall flat. I mean, how can you possibly dream that you can better the original recordings? Nonetheless, Hux has the cojones to put different chord structures and arrangements around the original classics, and pulls off what is in the end a great tribute to ELO. That said, “Don't Bring Me Down” might actually improve upon the banality that was the original hit single.

The Flaming Lips: At War with the Mystics

Not as good as Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots but still better than most of the tripe and dreck which is modern music. This album aims its bow and stinging arrows at modern life, skewering neatly many timely topics of the day.

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs: Under the Covers Vol. 1

A long time ago in a college far far away, I listened to a live interview with The Bangles. It came to light that Susanna Hoffs did not have a boyfriend. The interview was saying on air that perhaps likely candidates should call in. I was sorely tempted. After all, she's very cute, has a beautiful voice, and plays that Rickenbacker. Well, all those things are still true, except that she doesn't play the Rickenbacker on this recording. Matthew plays just about everything, but oh those gorgeous harmonies!

Petra Haden: Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out

A completely wacky idea, carried off wonderfully by Petra. And if you don't have it already, you should also find her Imaginaryland. No, I take that back. If you don't already have it, you simply must find her cover of The Beach Boys' “God Only Knows”.

Johan: THX JHN

A bit of the disappointment after the excellence of Pergola, but still, very listenable.

Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas

The funny thing is that I downloaded most of this set long before the box went on sale, so I didn't need to open the box since I could just slip my burned CD in the player instead. I have since opened this box. Essential Christmas listening.

Andy Partridge: Fuzzy Warbles Vol. 7

Partridge Andy: Fuzzy Warbles Vol. 8

Two more CDs of brain dump from the guy whose rejected songs are better than most people's best efforts.

P. Hux: Mile High Fan

Overproduced gems from one of our great songwriters. A glimpse backward in time.

The Nines: Calling Distance Stations

More baroque pop music in the vein of XTC, Brian Wilson, etc. Nice guys, too.

Smoosh: Free to Stay

I was a bit underwhelmed by the album, but the single “Find a Way” is excellent. My drummer friend Todd is quite impressed by the drumming. Did I mention that at the time of the recording these girls were 12 and 14 years old? Amazing.

Anton Barbeau: In The Village of the Apple Sun

Francine: Airshow

The Frank and Walters: Renewed Interest in Happiness

Aimee Mann: One More Drifter in the Snow

Cud: Rich and Strange: The Anthology

Electric Light Orchestra: Face the Music

Electric Light Orchestra: A New World Record

Electric Light Orchestra: Out of the Blue

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