TOP 50 RECORDS

50. DJ BOBA FETTUCINI ARCADE BREAKS

All your favorite 80's video games backed by breakbeats. From Dig Dug to Mario this record will make you long for your Atari.

Best Heard: When a game console is unavailable.

49. FREESCHA HEAD WARLOCK DOUBLE STARE

Californian Electric duo makes the scariest warble freakshow soundtrack.

Best Heard: When you are in the carnival fun house looking at the mirrors.

48. THE KNIFE SILENT SHOUT

Brother & Sister duo gets less synth pop and more, well, bizarre. This record would be much higher if the Knife didn't insist on ruining the vocals.

Best Heard: When.. Errr... ???

47. FLESHIES SCRAPE THE WALLS

Bay Area punk band keeps it very lo-fi & fun with songs about High Fiber diets & titles like; "Half Werewolf, Half Vampire...You Are in B I G Trouble!"

Best Heard: When you are hanging out with your dipshit friends.

46. MISSION OF BURMA THE OBLITERATI

Easily the weakest of the Burma records but still has it's fine moments.

Best Heard: When all your other Burma records are lost.

45. ANTI-FLAG FOR BLOOD AND EMPIRE

Anti-Flag should change their name to Anti-Everything. This record is catchy but there is only so much politics this boy can take.

Best Heard: At the impeach Bush rally at your local college.

44. THE TELEVISION PERSONALITIES MY DARK PLACES

 

Dan Treacy has been writing the cutest pop songs since 1977 & My Dark Places keeps legacy in-tact. Like most T.P. releases (excluding 1980's And Don't The Kids Just Love It) half the material is great & the other half, not so great.

Best Heard: When you pine for a girl who will never have you.

43. RACONTEURS BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS

Jack White's overly polished other band of "superstars". That is a condecending "superstars" because I hadn't a clue who the other guys were before The Raconteurs.

Best Heard: When you are at a soap box derby with ultimate saboteur Paul Reubens.

42. JUNIOR BOYS SO THIS IS GOODBYE

Canuck synth pop with great dancey grooves but very, very, very lame vocals & lyrics.

Best Heard: On the dancefloor while drunk.

41. MAHOGANY CONNECTIVITY!

Shoegaze's Belle & Sebastian make a reverb filled dream soundtrack. This album would be a whole lot better if they had more tracks of boy/girl vocals.

Best Heard: When Belle & Sebastian is too "poppy" for you.

40. SONIC YOUTH RATHER RIPPED

21 albums! Sonic Youth has made 21 damn records. Most of them fine pieces of work & "Rather Ripped" has it's moments like the superb "Incinerate", which is easliy one of my favorite songs of the year.

Best Heard: When you need alternate tunings & art-rock.

39. SNOW PATROL EYES OPEN

When a band gets as big as Snow Patrol it's easy to fall off." Eyes Open" isn't near as impressive as 2004's "Final Straw" but it gives the fans what they want, more big sing-along choruses & solid tunes.

Best Heard: When you need the sound of global domination.

38. ROCKIN' RYAN & THE REAL GONERS CRY OF MIDNIGHT

This record sounds more like a genuine 50's rockabilly record instead of one made in the 00's. Ryan makes the most gloomy Pure rockabilly record ever. That statement excludes all those lame psychobilly bands.

Best Heard: When you want to drown your old lady for being unfaithful.

37. BELLE & SEBASTIAN THE LIFE PURSUIT

Stewart & gang make another chamber pop filled record of sweet melodies & sugary lines.

Best Heard: On a rainy day when you wish it was dry outside.

36. THE SEMS ANY DAY AGO

Pete Bogolub wears his influences on his sleeve (mainly the great band Moose) & produces a wonderful shimmering shoegaze record.

Best Heard: When you feel like your life is mono-chromatic.

35. PIA FRAUS NATURE HEART SOFTWARE

My favorite Estonian band returns with another batch of blissed out songs. Okay, so I don't know any other bands from Estonia but if I did I bet I'd still like Pia Fraus best. Of course this album would be 50 times better if head songwriter Rein Fuks would sing more songs instead of lead singer Eve Kemps.

Best Heard: When you are planning that vacation to Estonia.

34. ROCKETSHIP HERE COMES...

Neat-o Sacramento pop maestro DustyReske makes the most kaleidoscopic record of the year. This time around there is less My Bloody Valentine & more organs, drum machines & harmonies.

Best Heard: When you're looking for a record that isn't very cohesive.

33. INFADELS WE ARE NOT THE INFADELS

The Infadels debut blends a pefect mixture of Rock & Electronic music backed by danceable grooves & great energy.

Best Heard: While cleaning your apartment, butt-naked.

32. THE MEETING PLACES NUMBERED DAYS

Sophmore effort by the wonderful Dream pop band filled with lovely melodies & sweet reverb.

Best Heard: When you are planning that vacation to Estonia.

31. AMUSEMENT PARKS ON FIRE OUT OF THE ANGELES

"Out Of The Angeles" is the most layered Shoegaze record of 2006. Drenched in reverb, synths, distortion & sounds as if there are 20 guitars.

Best Heard: On a perfect nighttime drive.

30. MOGWAI MR. BEAST

"Mr. Beast" has that great balance of mind-blowing highs & slow dramatic lows. Mogwai sounds tighter than ever on this record & keeps progressing to become the all-time best post-rock/experimental band ever.

Best Heard: When you want to do the nasty.

29. ¡FORWARD RUSSIA! GIVE ME A WALL

!Forward Russia! is the best uniform worn band of 2006. "Give Me A Wall" continues FR's idiotic song titling system of, "four", "twelve", "fourteen", etc. I was hoping that was a passing phase from their early singles of 2005. Since the band doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon, let's hope we keep adding to those numbers.

Best Heard: When you want to listen to something loud with yapping & yelping.

28. THE GOTHIC ARCHIES THE TRAGIC TREASURY

Stephin Merritt pens the official soundtrack to the Lemony Snickett books with his usual Gothic Archies pop-goth genius. All songs pertaining to the characters & their terrible dismay bring a smile to your face as you hear about their doom & gloom tales.

Best Heard: When you feel sweet & sour.

27. FILM SCHOOL FILM SCHOOL

San Francisco shoegazers Film School deliver a set of dark melodic tunes with the volume turned up.

Best Heard: In the car, during the night.

26. CLEARLAKE AMBER

Clearlake teeters on Dream pop & Indie rock with their third effort. "Amber" is a vibrant slice of modern British music & ranks the band among other contemporaries like British Sea Power.

Best Heard: When you forgot to wear your union jack t-shirt.

25. DARKER MY LOVE DARKER MY LOVE

"The music of California's Darker My Love is guitars drenched in blissed-out fuzz, pulsing drums crashing like waves, and echoing harmonies stretching sky-high. Features ex-members of Distillers and Nerve Agents. " - Amazon.com

What I say about DML is "Awesome!"

Best Heard: When you are missing that LSD flashback.

24. YO LA TENGO I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU AND I WILL BEAT YOUR ASS

Quite possibly the worst record title of all-time! Yo La Tengo serve up another heaping serving of great pop tunes that clocks in at 80 minutes. Even though the record is a little long, it never tires on your ears & somehow leaves you feeling happy all over.

Best Heard: When that sugar tooth aches & best served with a milkshake.

23. CHILDS YUI

Wow, where did the best new electronic act of 2006 come from? You'll never guess... Ensenada, Mexico! Yui blends the most electronic sounding lullabies I have ever heard. Elements of dreamy shoegaze noise mixed with warmth & electronic backdrops makes this perfect dreamscape for nap-nap time.

Best Heard: when you want to snuggle beside that special someone.

22. FLAMING LIPS AT WAR WITH THE MYSTICS

The always cosmic Flaming Lips come back with a blissed-out record perfect for loud volume. AWWTM adds their old psychedelic ways with their slicker produced later records, resulting in a truly rewarding listen.

Best Heard: When you are about to go to the moon.

21. ARCTIC MONKEYS WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT'S WHAT I AM NOT

When the Arctic Monkeys first hit the scene with last year's singles, I was a huge supporter and advocate for their domination. To say that I was a bit disappointed with the first record is a bit of an understatement. A lot of the songs seem redundant and there is only so much songs about being in the Arctic Monkeys that I can take. Still nevertheless, you won't find a more bouncy record this year.

Best Heard: When you dream about being on the other side of the pond.

20. TIGER BABY NOISE AROUND ME

Wow, where did the best new electronic act of 2006 come from? You'll never guess... Ensenada, Mexico! Yui blends the most electronic sounding lullabies I have ever heard. Elements of dreamy shoegaze noise mixed with warmth & electronic backdrops makes this perfect dreamscape for nap-nap time.

Best Heard: when you want to snuggle beside that special someone.

19. BASEMENT JAXX CRAZY ITCH RADIO

I hate House music. Oh, but I do not hate Basement Jaxx who is not only the best House group but the best electronic dance group! Last record had a slew of famous singers that brought more diversity & fun to the group. I was a bit sad to see them not go in the same direction, but nevertheless whoever does the vocals is secondary to the dancey jams.

Best Heard: When you need to shake that tush you've been sitting on.

18. ALCIAN BLUE ALCIAN BLUE

Part Joy Division, part MBV = 100% Darkness!

Best Heard: When you want to make-out with that certain goth someone.

17. DARKEL DARKEL

Jean-Benoit Dunckel goes solo from his partner Nicholas Godin of Air. Darkel's first record is basically an Air album. It's a fine listen even though it isn't as strong as the past few Air records. If you ever had any wonder who was behind the strange mutated vocals that Air sometimes employ, the wonder ceases within the first 20 seconds of the record.

Best Heard: when you have listened to "Talkie Walkie" too much.

16. PET SHOP BOYS FUNDAMENTAL

The Pet Shop Boys can be summed up in one word... Consistant. Consistantly the PSB have been making cinematic synthpop for over 20 years & Fundamental is their most upbeat record since 93's "Very". Most people I know find the vocals of Neil Tennant to be annoying but I have always found him to be refreshing & bittersweet. A must for PSB fans of the past.

Best Heard: at the gay disco of course.

15. I LOVE YOU BUT I'VE CHOSEN DARKNESS FEAR IS ON OUR SIDE

Alright my drearies, here is the best post-punk goth record of the year! Austin's ILYBICD maintains their cool & dignity unlike recent poseurs like Interpol. In fact Interpol couldn't even hold the sack of ILYBICD, so quit being a GEMO (Goth-Emo) Kid and choose substance over pretentiousness.

Best Heard: when the eyeliner runs out and your heart breaks.

14. BRIEF CANDLES THEY LIVE WE SLEEP

Finally! A Shoegazer band who leans more towards RIDE rather than MBV. Most shoegaze-revival bands just stomp on the reverb & distortion pedals but BC doesn't have near of a harsh soundscape, incorporating acoustic guitars & some appregios. Also kudos to the Brief Candles for doing a cover of A Flock Of Seagulls' "Space Age Love Song".

Best Heard: Ehile driving on the Pacific Coast Highway.

13. THE RADIO DEPT. PET GRIEF

I've never heard a band who makes such distant foreground music like the Radio Dept. Does that make any sense? It sounds like it is coming through the speaker a mile away but unlike background music it's captivating.

Best Heard: when that headache of yours can't call for death metal.

12. MOJAVE 3 PUZZLES LIKE YOU

It sounds like Mojave 3, it say's Mojave 3 on the cover but could it really be Neil Halstead & Co.? Most M3 records sound as if the sun is setting on a lazy California day but Puzzles Like You sounds more like noon time. For a band who writes such somber music it's a suprise to hear all of these poppy & upbeat tunes. I do prefer the somber M3 to this newly reformed version but nevertheless this band still makes wonderful music.

Best Heard: with the click-clock of you in your flip-flops.

11. FLEETING JOYS DESPONDENT TRANSPONDER

Damn, this is the closest we will ever get to hearing a "Loveless" part II! The Sacramento natives don't even have a record contract & released this album on their own. It's a pity too, because this thing has been Out Of Print for a while now. I can't even fathom how great this band could be with real studio time backed by a label.

Best Heard: at the loudest possible volume imagineable!

10. MYSTERY JETS MAKING DENS

I am at a bit of a loss when it comes to describing the MJ debut record. There seems to be a lot going on, a little Kinks, a little Prog-Rock, whatever it is = A radical departure from most popular music. Making Dens is big & sweeping, filled with tons of multi-harmonies & lots of instrumentation.

Best Heard: On a road trip.

9. ROBBIE WILLIAMS RUDEBOX

Robbie Williams has the power to do anything he wants. So what did he want to do on his seventh record? Make it an electro/dance record with hip-hop flourishes, a very interesting departure from Williams' "wanky pop". Rudebox has a handful of strange covers, most of them very impressive, especially the two with the Pet Shop Boys & Lily Allen. Most Robbie fans would disagree but I think this is his best album to date! Did I mention Robbie has a gangsta rap song on here? Pure radness!

Best Heard: At the party you are throwing that is suffering from fun.

8. THE LEGENDS FACTS & FIGURES

The Legends are becoming less poppy & going more towards a synthetic post-punk sound. At least, that's what seems to be happening on their great latest record.

Best Heard: When you want to make a robot dance to the 60's beats.

7. THE FUTUREHEADS NEWS & TRIBUTES

The spazzoids return to make another great record! Okay, so maybe they are a little less spazzoid this time around but there is still great energy behind the songs but even more importantly the songs have are far more maturity & complexity. However with those later two qualities, the Futureheads obviously have to give up most of the fun that was the backbone of the first record.

Best Heard: Drunk and sung along to.

6. DIRTY PRETTY THINGS WATERLOO TO ANYWHERE

1/3 Garage rock + 1/3 Pirates + 1/3 Libertines = London's Dirty Pretty Things lead by ex-Libertine Carl Barat. If the Stones (when they were not fossils) were re-incarnated, I'd like to imagine that they would make Waterloo To Anywhere. Filled with a rollicking good time about women, booze & fuck-you's makes this one hell of a great debut. The more infamous Libertine Pete Doherty will never make a record this good & is what I always knew all along, an over-hyped loser junkie who doesn't deserve the limelight.

Best Heard: at the pirate pizza place with a pitcher of Sam Adams.

5. PLACEBO MEDS

Musically nobody makes better guitar oriented tunes than Placebo. The problem most people have with the very androgynous band is singer Brian Molko's almost Geddy lee like voice. If you can get past that then you have your new favorite band. Placebo is constantly making great records & is stillrelatively unnoticed in the U.S., I guess us Americans like our Jay-Z too much.

Best Heard: Strungout while kissing boys & girls.

4. MUSE BLACKHOLES & REVELATIONS

Muse finally step-up to the big leagues & deliver the biggest sounding record I have heard in quite some time. Before the epic Blackholes... came out I predicted the band would finally reach superstardom. The band has finally hit it's stride & have never sounded better. Even the outtake songs from the record are amazing! If you haven't heard this one, get out from under your rock & if you don't like this one then there is no hope for you.

Best Heard: In Space or in the wild West.

3. A.F.I. DECEMBERUNDERGROUND

People are often suprised to know that I like AFI but I think what they find even more strange is just how much I like AFI. Some fans hate the polished sound of the latest two records but I think this band has really found an amazing place for their music. Blending their traditional punk with goth & textured sounds with gorgeous melodies that really give the feel of that chilly atmosphere shown on the record cover. I must admit that when the first single came out, "Miss Murder", I nearly cried because I hated it & feared the album would be as lame. After first listen to the rest of Decemberunderground I fell in love.

Best Heard: On a Snow trip. Get the bobsled mofo's!

2. THE RIFLES NO LOVE LOST

The Rifles are 2006's best new band & have released a most lovely guitar-driven pop record. Filled with rave-up sing-a-longs, No Love Lost was a clear choice from the get-go. I must have left this one in the car for 3 weeks straight! And there isn't a single skipper on the entire record! Highly recommended.

Best Heard: Anytime really, it hits all moods in one swoop.

1. JARVIS COCKER JARVIS

Jarvis Cocker's first solo album is by far the best record I have heard in 5 years! I am not at all embellishing, not in the least! I'll even go as far as saying that I like it better than any of the Pulp records. Which I am a huge, huge, huge fan of. In fact, "Jarvis" sounds like the progression of Pulp's "We Love Life" record. On first listen I was completely floored & has been my "go-to" record of the year. Hell, probably will be for the next one as well.

Best Heard: With the headphones cranked up!!!