* Books: check out Amy’s somewhat famous “best books of the year” list (pdf link). I say “somewhat famous,” because this is the sixth annual list and previous versions have made their way to Australia, Ireland, and England. She gets emails from friends of friends of friends asking for the list. If you dig it, please let her know at amy [at] amypurcell.com.
* Music: here’s my much less famous, much less literate list of the best music of 2006. I had good intentions to provide links for all of the bands, but I’m too busy (and besides, that’s what Google is for). If you’re interested in receiving a downloadable version of my “best of 2006″ mix, email me at info [at] pike27.net.
Top 10 records of 2006:
1. You Am I – Convicts
The best rock band in the world, period. You’ll find more hooks in one song than you will in an entire Wilco record.
2. Eleventh Dream Day – Zeroes and Ones
A great band ages gracefully and learns to balance their experimental and straightahead sides better than ever before. The keyboards are a welcome new touch.
3. Pearl Jam – Pearl Jam
Go ahead and laugh, but this might be the best punk record of the year. “Life Wasted” and “Worldwide Suicide” are the best opening 1-2 punch of the year.
4. Los Lobos – The Town and the City
Years ago, I said that Los Lobos were the best American band in any genre, and that the Smithsonian should fund them to do whatever they want. I still think that’s a good idea.
5. Willie Nile – Streets Of New York
A tremendously underappreciated songwriter. There seems to be so little love for good, straightahead rock. Willie should be huge.
6. Glossary – For What I Don’t Become
One of only two interesting newer bands in Americana right now. The record tails off a bit at the end, but I love what these folks are doing. Soulful vox, pretty harmonies, solid songs.
7. ISWHAT?! – The Life We Chose
A Cincinnati favorite blending hip-hop, jazz, huge grooves, and smart lyrics. They’re starting to do some touring in Europe. I guarantee they’ll follow DJ Hi-Tek’s trail and get major notice, it’s just a matter of time.
8. Deadstring Brothers – Starving Winter Report
The other interesting new band in Americana. The high points aren’t quite as strong as their last record, but this is still solid as hell. They’re derivative, borrowing heavily from classic Stones, but they’re so good that it doesn’t matter.
9. The Coup – Pick a Bigger Weapon
Another band who are just too smart for the mainstream. Boots Riley is the man.
10. Mission of Burma – The Obliterati
This one didn’t stick with me as well as ONoffON, but it’s still a masterpiece. It still amazes me that they’re returned and are better than ever.
* Almost made it/honorable mention:
- Graham Coxon – Love Travels At Illegal Speeds
I like Happiness In Magazines better, but this is still a great slab of bratty powerpop.
- Dirty Royals – Obsessed America (EP)
They used to be Samuari Seven. I’ve seen them at the last two Midpoint Music Festivals. Great pop songs, great live act. Surely a deal can’t be far behind?
- Jon Dee Graham – Full
I love JDG’s songwriting, but this one felt less inspired. He’s had a lot going on, including a very sick son and label troubles, so maybe he’s distracted. Still, it’s more solid than 99% of what’s out there.
- Tom Verlaine – Songs and Other Things
Not at the peaks of Television’s finest moments, but classic Verlaine, nonetheless.
* Solid records with less staying power than the others:
- Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
- Steve Wynn – tick…tick…tick
- Yo La Tengo – I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass
- Warren Zanes – People That I’m Wrong For
* Big disappointments:
Scott Miller – Citation – Just a terrible record.
Kenny Roby – The Mercy Filter
* Fave 2006 jazz releases:
Ornette Coleman – Sound Grammar
Nels Cline – New Monastery – A View into the Music of Andrew Hill
Nils Petter Molvaer – An American Compilation
Vandermark 5 – A Discontinous Line
* Best concerts:
I was blessed to see some amazing shows this year, including a handful I thought I’d never get to see live: You Am I, Tom Waits, Mission of Burma, World Party, and the reunited Libertines US. Other great shows were: Eleventh Dream Day, Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Pearl Jam, Los Lobos, Ernest Dawkins’ New Horizons Ensemble, and Talib Kweli + Hi-Tek.
* Fave songs of the year:
- It Ain’t Funny How We Don’t Talk Anymore, By My Own Hand, Friend Like You – You Am I – Convicts
- World Wide Suicide – Pearl Jam – Pearl Jam
- The Saints Are Coming – U2/Green Day
- Standing On My Own Again – Graham Coxon – Love Travels At Illegal Speeds
- I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
- Lately I’ve Been Thinking – Eleventh Dream Day – Zeroes and Ones
- Poor Boy – Glossary – For What I Don’t Become
- Sacred Heart – Deadstring Brothers – Starving Winter Report
- Something Wonderful – Jon Dee Graham – Full
- The Road to Gila Bend – Los Lobos – The Town and the City
- Cell Phones Ringing (In The Pockets of the Dead) – Willie Nile – Streets Of New York
- Obsessed America – Dirty Royals – Obsessed America
- In Deux Time – Deux Process – In Deux Time
- The Life We Chose – ISWHAT?! – The Life We Chose
* Favorite musical discovery of the year not related to a 2006 release: Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls
np: Jon Brion – I Heart Huckabees soundtrack
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Sorry Dave, but the best punk record of the year was Public Enemy’s “Beats and Places” which redefines both the “album” and “punk” for the 21st Century, and has more punk cred than Pearl Jam (which isn’t saying a lot, so I’ll say more punk cred than Johnny Rotten and Jello Biafra’s bastard offspring might have were they to mate!).
I think of it like Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” for the modern world. It’s as much newsletter as album, and unlike PJ, PE actually has something to say that still needs saying. It doesn’t sound or look great, and the materials are cheap, but the message is dead on and more punk than anything I’ve heard since Refused.