The Music Post

The top 10 albums in 2006, according to me. After reading and re-reading this I have come to the conclusion that I am not, nor will ever be, a music critic.

It took me almost 2 weeks to compile a list that I was happy with. I keep shifting things around and I had about 20 honorable mentions, but I think that this is a list I argue about.

In no particular order:
1. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat. I must have listened to this CD a million times. The Watson Twins really balance her out and the songs are so heartfelt and well written. I loved Rilo Kiley but I think she's almost better on her own (also, speaking of RK...I was completely disappointed by The Elected).
2. Ghostface Killah - Fishscale. First off, this man is a really good story teller. The best thing about his rhymes is that his attitude comes across. On "Back Like That" you can hear how hurt and annoyed and pissed off and betrayed he feels when he talks about how his girlfriend cheated on him (and with whom), despite the fact that he cheated on her first. Every single song sounds different and that is a good thing.
3. Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds. God, I don't want to include this CD, but here it is. Timberlake (with Timbaland) is just so damn good; I hate to love him, but I sing and dance right along everytime I hear anything by him. He kills it and brings it back to life. Fucker has me doing choreography in my mind.
4. Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor. Lupe is like hip-hop lite. His analogies are brilliant and he proves that you don't have to push drugs (or hos) to be a great rapper. Plus, there's dancing.
5. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife. First off, there is the fued with Stephen Colbert. Second off, their lyrics are great (very old school....like 1800s). Third, they are consistent, despite the fact that some of the songs are like 12 minutes long.
6. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. I can't think of anyone else that sounds remotely like Neko. "Star Witness" is one of my favorite songs of the year. It's country, but not. It's rock, but not.
7. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black. Damn. This CD is listed because at her age she is writing and singing about things that most people her age know nothing about. "Love is a Loosing Game" should be sung by someone much, much older, but she pulls it off believably and beautifully. She sings jazz/funk/soul fusion better than anyone and I can't wait to see what she is gonna do next.
8. Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites. Obscure Danish Band who occasionally sing songs in Japanese. Ummmm, yeah. Also? AWESOME.
9. Cat Power - The Greatest. A recovery from alcoholism and recording with Al Green's Band (You have no idea how much I love Al Green) made this an immensly enjoyable album. I had never heard anything from her before, but now I just want more. And let's just be honest for a second here: if the Reverend Al blesses you with his band then you know its gonna be good.
10. Robin Thicke - The Evolution of Robin Thicke. This CD was a gift, so I wasn't really expecting too much. I have a friend who would refer to this album as "baby making music", which is pretty much what it is. If Robin manages to keep up with his evolution he may one day be as good as Luther.


Honorable Mentions
1. Kate Havnevik - Melankton
2. We are Scientists - With Love and Squalor
3. Amos Lee - Supply and Demand
4. Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit (disclaimer: I love all things Scottish. Except Haggis.)
5. Sia - Colour the Small One