CRUNK ALMS' TOP 10 CDs of 2006:
| #10 |
Songs for Christmas
Orginally I did not want to put this album on the list for the sole reason that it is a Christmas album, but I quickly disregarded this after I found myself unable to stop humming these cheery, musicaly interesting, and sometimes depressing tunes. Sufjan made this five disc set over the span of 6 years and truly shows how much he has advanced as a songwriter. Read the full review.
| #9 |
Floating World
Year after year I would go to purple door and see all the cool punk/metal bands but there was always one band that seemed to stand out, and that group was Anathallo. In terms of live performance Anathallo is one of the best/most entertaining to watch. This year they blew me away and I instantly rushed to buy their CD. The CD, which is a concept album based on a Japaneese folk tale, is filled with interesting intricate arrangements, has awesome lyrics, and, though it's very slow sometimes, the variety of instrumentation makes up for it.
| #8 |
The Loon
I wasn't crazy about this album when I bought it at first, but luckily, I'm a lifeguard in the summer, and have nothing better to do then listen to CD's. I eventually got into and realized that this is very solid album. Their Modest Mouse influence shines throughout the record but yet they manage to but their own spin on it. just download "Omaha" and you'll see what I mean. Read the full review.
| #7 |
Hind Hind Legs
My friend Teddy Hanson is constantly trying to tell me about bands that I should listn to. One that he couldn't stop talking about was the Lovely feathers. I never really felt like dropping $14 on it so I never bought it and he was to lazy to burn it for me. Luckily one day I found it for $6 at a local music store. Thanks to its cool album art and my disposable income I bought. It's cool, fun, and has weird lyrics at times. Definitely a fun record that did not get much credit at all this year. Well focused, well produced, and very poppy. Nice job, Lovely Feathers.
| #6 |
Beast Moans
I don't listen to Destroyer. In fact, I don't listen to Wolf Parade, Frog Eyes, or any of the people involved in Swan Lake. However, after reading about them in Filter, I decided to find out what all the fuss was about. After listening to the whole CD, I found a few songs that I liked, listening to them again and again and again. Eventually, I got around to listening to the whole album, and realized it is an excellent space out CD. It offers some songs that just when you think you know where they're going, they change directions. Definitely a fun listen.
| #5 |
Ys
The first time I heard Joanna Newsoms voice on Milk Eyed Mender, I actually thought it was a joke. But I quickly let go of that and fell in love with both her voice and song writing. On Milk Eyed Mender, it was mainly Joanna and a harp, but on Ys, it's Joanna and an orchestra. The record, which has 5 songs and yet flows for a grand total of 55 minutes, offers a very soothing and beautiful array of imagery and music that your parents might like (that is, if they get over the voice). It's a really really really pretty CD.
| #4 |
Return to Sea
Islands is the product of Nick Diamonds (former frontman of The Unicorns). The thing I like about this album, is that a lot of the songs are about, or at least have something to do with, islands. It's kind of funny, actually, almost like a new genre. "Indie-island rock". Anyway, what I think is really cool is the production. Here is this well known indie rock band, and they record everything in their drummers bedroom. Sounds badass to me. Read the full review.
| #3 |
Dog Problems
So I'm a Format fan, no doubt. I was ready to hate the new CD, and at first, I didn't really like it. There are times where it's over produced, sounds way too clean, and a few tracks at the end are kinda weak. Nonetheless, this was the summer album. The Format is two guys (Sam and Nate) who have a great ear for melody and a good find for smart, catchy lyrics (exception: "The Compromise"). As I said earlier, the CD suffers from over-production, but I've learned to look past that. Besides, they had a lot of record label trouble anyway.
| #2 |
Fishscale
There was a point in my life when I thought rap music was dumb. I mean, seriously dumb. It wasn't until I actually starting finding stuff I like, artists who weren't so mainstream, that I started gaining an appreciation and quit ignoring an entire genre of music. My brother introduced me to Ghostface Killah a year or more back, and eventually I found out a lot my friends were into him as well. After playing The Pretty Toney album over and over, I picked up Fishscale. Damn this is a cool album. The beats: hot. Flow: crazy. Lyrics: weird as hell at times, but yet solid. This album shows off Ghost's talents, as well as his ear for production. He even makes fun of D4L, which is a treat. The only thing you need to know? This CD will pump you up.
| # |
Brother Sister
This album is possibly the most overlooked album of the year. With each album, mewithoutYou has progressed more and more, and Brother Sister is their most unique yet. The album flows nicely, starting out with "Messes of Men", a perfect introduction. Lyrically, the album is awesome, and I don't usually judge a lot of bands by their lyrics (unless they really suck). mewithoutYou uses a variety of different instruments on the album (horns, acoustic guitar, harp), and creates different mood while still remaining close to their roots. Go buy this CD, for real.