Top 13 releases of 2006

According to the StaceMeister.

Firstly I'd like to start off by saying that 2006 HAS BEEN A FUCKING AWESOME YEAR FOR MUSIC. Let's just hope that 2007 doesn't disappoint. But I digress, here are the top 13 with choice tracks:

13:Young Machetes ~ The Blood Brothers

_{Set Fire to the Face on Fire ~ Camouflage, Camouflage}

12: He Poos Clouds ~ Final Fantasy

_{This Lamb Sells Condos ~ Song Song Song}

11: 55:12 ~ Gregor Samsa

_{Even Numbers ~ Young and Old}

10: Six Demon Bag ~ Man Man

_{Engrish Bwudd ~ Push The Eagle's Stomach ~ Spider Cider ~ Tunneling Through the Guy}

9: Happy Hollow~ Cursive

_{Big Bang ~ At Conception ~ Bad Science ~ Rise Up! Rise Up!}

8: Silent Shout ~ The Knife

_{Silent Shout ~ We Share Our Mother's Health ~ Na Na Na ~ Like A Pen ~ One Hit}

7: The Only Thing I Ever Wanted ~ Psapp

_{Hi ~ Eating Spiders}

6: Amputechture ~ The Mars Volta

_{Meccamputechture ~ Asilos Magdalena ~}

5: The Air Force ~ Xiu Xiu

_{Boy Soprano ~ Vulture Piano ~ Save Me.}

4: Ys ~ Joanna Newsom

_{Emily ~ Cosmia}

3: Desert Doughnuts ~ Metallic Falcons

_{Airships ~ Desert Cathedral ~ Berry Metal ~ Pale Dog ~ Four Hearts}

2: Shut Up I Am Dreaming ~ Sunset Rubdown

_{Everthing on the album except Q-Chord}

1: Black Tar Prophecies Vols 1, 2, 3 ~ Grails

_{THE WHOLE FUCKING ALBUM.}

Okay and for every year there has to be some pretty sad disappointments.

Yes, Virginia. . . ~ The Dresden Dolls

So okay okay okay. The Dresden Dolls are one of my favourite all-time bands, but this album had me torn. There were some excellent, excellent songs but BY GOD the abominations I had to sift through to get to those were absolutely appalling. I couldn't understand what happened to Amanda Palmer's lyric writing skills, and in place of the power-laced yarns and immensely captivating characters, her voice sounded no more than a vehicle to drive meaningless oohs and aahs into our heads. It was obvious to me that the Dolls had been taken over, and were being dumbed down. This was particularly prevalent in Brian's drumming apart from the first couple of songs.

I was expecting more from the Dresden Dolls, more life and power and freedom and just more of the definition-evading duo. I had very high hopes for this album, and it turned out to be no more than mediocre. Although they were pretty fucking rockin' live.

The Crane Wife ~ The Decemberists

Dear God this was a boring album. That is all.

Beast Moans ~ Swan Lake

Pretty much the same as what I was expecting with the Dresden Dolls, a kickass album from kickass musicians. There is not one good song on this album. It's utter crap. Avoid it at all costs.

Every Red Heart Shines Towards the Sun ~ Red Sparowes

Same recycled formulas, for chord progressions, song titles and mood. Epic only if this is the first Red Sparowes album you are going to hear.

Random Avenger ~ Magyar Posse

I'd heard Intercontinental Hustle from the second volume of The Silent Ballet compilation album, and thought it was cleverly put together, and, after reading rave reviews and being recommended this album numerous times, I decided to check it out in full. Oh Lordie this was unbearable. I can't remember what it was about the album (y'see, I instantly block out all memories of music I dislike), but it was majorly irking me. I haven't been able to listen to it straight through since, or even to one song from start to finish. Magyar Posse make me sad that post-rock is complicatedly tied in with tedious emotions.

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I don't know when I'm going to post again. Probably never. Or when I find an awesome album. Or when I have something to share. So basically never.