Albums Of The Year: 2006

Having not been able to stop listening to 'The Flying Club Cup', and knowing that it'll more than likely be on my end of year honors list, I figured I'd do a recap of last year's top albums.

Here they are (in order):

10. ISLANDS- 'Return To The Sea'

This album is a total gem- any band that can make a chirpy feel-good pop song about conflict diamonds deserves credit.
There are at least four standout tracks on 'Return To The Sea', ranging in style from recorder led pop, to dark rap-rock, to the downright unclassifiable.

Listen:
Where There's A Will There's A Whalebone





9. Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'

Saw what you will about the Arctic Monkeys, the fact that this album is packed to the brim with smart, catchy & edgy pop songs is undeniable. This record stayed in my stereo for months after it came out.

Listen:

The View From The Afternoon



8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- 'Show Your Bones'

I'm truly a shameless pop whore. My criterion for good music include pop-sensibilities as an essential. Yeah Yeah Yeahs took the character and visceral energy of their debut and to this added the pop that I so love. 'Show Your Bones' was the result, and damn was it good.

Listen:

Cheated Hearts



7. Final Fantasy- He Poos Clouds

Apart from having the album name of the year, 'He Poos Clouds' has a handful of beautiful and disturbing tracks (each based on one of the different schools of magic in Dungeons & Dragons- nerds rock!). On this (his second album) Owen Pallett wrote each piece for a string quartet, resulting in a deeper, fuller album that it's predecessor 'Has A Good Home'.

Listen:

This Lamb Sells Condos




6. Fujiya & Miyagi- 'Transparent Things'


This genre-bending album from the Brighton three-piece is the best electro-funk-indie-chillout-dance album I've ever heard.
Enough said.


Listen:

Photocopier







5. Cansei De Ser Sexy- 'CSS'

Every once in a while an album comes along that is destined to become a staple of parties everywhere (Thriller, As Heard On Radio, Danse Macabre, Crossroad..), CSS is such an album.
It's as dancy as it is rocky, and it has eleven tracks of non-stop wholesome goodness- no fast forwarding needed.

Listen:

Off The Hook




4. Red Hot Chili Peppers- 'Stadium Arcadium'

It's often said about this album, but this is a band on the top of their game. To produce an (almost) flawless two disc album at this stage in their career says only one thing: the Chilis are in this for the long haul. This collection has nods to their earlier 'funky monk' stage (Animal Bar, Storm In A Teacup), the standout hit singles the band have become known for (Dani California, Tell Me Baby) and a handful of songs on which the band digress from the formula to tread relatively new ground. For me, it was this latter category which proved most rewarding. Tracks like '21st Century' and 'Strip My Mind' promise a lot from what I hope will be a very long future for the Chili Peppers.
As long as they don't get Navarro back.

Listen:

Strip My Mind


3. TV On The Radio- 'Return To Cookie Mountain'

To hear an album full of as many original ideas as 'Cookie Mountain' is a rare and precious thing. From the arrangement to the production, TVOTR have painted a wild and vivid picture that sucks you in from the get-go. It's hard to pick a highlight, as different songs seem to resonate with different moods, but as a lead single and a first plunge into the world of TVOTR you could do much worse than the thumping, howling 'Wolf Like Me'.

Listen:

Wolf Like Me


2. Joanna Newsom- 'Ys'

'Ys' could be a folk opus; it could be a classical suite; it could be an epic poem. It is certainly unique, and it is certainly a overpowering masterpiece. These five tracks are woven tight with layer upon intricate layer of strings composed by the legendary Van Dyke Parks, held together by Newsom's precise plucking of harp strings, and a voice so much more mature than on her previous effort. I can honestly see this album being studied in years to come, or being sought out on vinyl and played with the reverence that's right now reserved for the likes of 'Dark Side'. An absolute classic.

Listen:

Cosmia


1. Cursive- 'Happy Hollow'

With 'Happy Hollow' Cursive have delivered everything that you could possibly want in an album. The concept allows for Tim Kasher's lyrics to explore small town ignorances and hypocrisies through the most cutting and insightful compositions of his career. Reading these words alone sent shivers down my spine, only to be repeated tenfold when they were put to music. From the first passionately urgent chord, Cursive have the listener is in the palm of their hand. Personally, I must admit I wondered where the band would go after the departure of Cellist Gretta Cohn. She had without a doubt contributed to the dynamic of the fantastic 'The Ugly Organ' and I worried about hole she would leave. Fortunately that hole has been plugged with passion, Wizard Of Oz fueled dementia, distortion and a messed-up brass section. Oh, and when this record rocks it fucking rocks. If you don't already own this, get on it.

Listen:

Dorothy At Forty

Notable Mentions:

Knife: 'Silent Shout'; Broken Social Scene: 'Broken Social Scene'....more? Probably....

Click here for 2007 albums of the year list

continue reading>>

Seeing as there are quite a few gems coming up I figured I'll knock together a 'High Fidelity-esque' Top 10. Then I realised I forgot one, so it became a top 11. Deal with it.

11. Radio Soulwax- Ambassador, 26th Oct.

At this stage everyone should know what Radio Soulwax is: 2Many DJs, mash ups, dancing and general merriment. For some odd reason despite the fact that 2many DJs seems to play here every 20 mins or so, I've still never seen em. Hopefully this time round. It's one of several gigs on this list that'd be perfectly matched with a crazy night out on the tiles.


10 Messiah J & The Expert- Crawdaddy, 21st Nov.

Messiah J is an anomaly. An Irish MC rapping about (amongst other things) Irish stuff, and not being a complete disaster. Far from it in fact- MJ&tE's recent album 'Now This I Have To Hear' is sample-iciously good. I saw the guys perform in Whelans in support of it's launch and they put on a great show. Something different from the Irish scene, and definitely something worthwhile. Here's the video for the 1st single from the album, 'Something Outta Nothing'. Enjoy.



9. Hot Hot Heat- The Village, 11th Nov.

There was a period of time for me when going out was just not as crazy unless preceded by listening to HHH's 'Make Up the Break Down' in full. It's exciting jumpy rocky guitar pop at it's very best. Checking these guys out in the Village is gonna be sweet, and I'd imagine, a rare opportunity for me to get my mosh on. Here's 'No, Not Now'.



8. Les Savy Fav- Crawdaddy, 27th Oct.

This is a Ste Foy tip, which makes it reliable. These guys are insane, and quite good too, which helps. They're promoting their third album 'Let's Stay Friends' which I haven't yet heard, but am very much looking forward to. Here's them being odd at the McCarren Park Pool Fundraiser (imagine this kind of carry-on in Crawdaddy...):



7. CSS- Olympia, 10th Dec.

One would think with the pure unbridled greatness of Cansei De Ser Sexy's debut album AND the fact that this December show will be their 3rd in Dublin this year that everyone in their right mind will surely have seen them live at this stage. One would be wrong. Mercifully, the Brazilian funk-rockers are gracing us with one last show in 2007 so these early non-believers can wipe the egg off their faces. Another entry that falls under the 'Party' category, if you're going make sure you check out the after-show shindig, which rocked last time.


6. Vic Chesnutt Band- Button Factory, 1st Dec.

Vic Chesnutt is a paraplegic alt-country musician whose backing band includes members of Fugazi, Godspeed You Black Emperor and The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra. Wow. How is it going to sound? I don't know. Quite good, I'll bet. Imagine this kinda thing:



crossed with this kinda thing:



5. The Good Life- Crawdaddy, 2nd Dec.

The Good Life is a Saddle-Creek band (one point) and a side project of Cursive's Tim Kasher (ten points). I love it when Saddle Creek bands come to town, as they're responsible for some of the best performances I've seen on Dublin stages. Also, Kasher is a bit of a genius; and although The Good Life's material is less (pause) 'intense' than Cursive's, it's no less kickass. I will be there with bells on. Here's a taster:



4. Dan Deacon- TBC, 29th, 30th Nov, 1st Dec.

Pure madness from Eletro-Punk DJ with stellar live reputation. Previous holder of the 'damn I wish I'd been to that gig' award. See here for my more detailed recent post on this series of shows.



3. Fujiya & Miyagi- Button Factory, 16th Dec.

'Transparent Things' is easily one of the albums of the year. It ticks so many boxes on the 'what's required to make a great record' form that one might reasonably start to question how exactly they managed it. But who cares, the bottom line is that it's blissful. Their show at Electric Picnic was fantabulous, so it's not unreasonable to expect the same again. It's also stinkin cheap. Do it!



2. Justice- Big Top, Phoenix Park, 1st Dec.

Justice are this decade's Daft Punk. At least that's what it says on the promo stickers for the album.....and it's not far off. Apart from the fact that it's a fairly lazy comparison (dj's, french, two of em) it's kinda on the ball. The production values are equally amazing, the beats phenomenal, and the poppy glee is there in spades. If the big top turns out to be even a half decent venue then this is THE dance gig of the year.



1. Arcade Fire- Big Top, Phoenix Park, 24th Oct.

Big surprise at number one. Arcade Fire initially made a name for themselves by being a mindblowing live act, and thanks to Ireland's exemplary network of touting scumbags it's thusfar been damn near impossible to get to any of their shows. The Big Top gigs and their increased capacity have finally turned fantasy into reality, and for the first time I can say that I will be there. Nobody needs to be told of how amazing this band is. It's so undisputed over all levels of society that it has become a scientific & mathematical fact (Arcade Fire=Great). I'm more than a tad excited. Here's them with David Bowie, who clearly has good taste:



PS...just as a heads up- there is one particular show that as of yet is still in the 'rumor' department, but if confirmed will jump straight up the list to number one with the greatest of ease. Anyone paying attention will know what I'm talking about. Fingers crossed. I'll keep you informed...

continue reading>>