1/4/07: Our Favorite Albums of 2006This entry’s kind of indulgent, but we’re setting up more Leftist laffs for tomorrow. At least our typical Top Ten Albums avoid the usual overhyped crap, and are pretty much free of anything offensive to Republicans—except for the album at the top of the list, but that’s just us being all tolerant:
Duncan Sheik White Limousine (Zoë)He finally made a great album that got him thrown off his major label, but Sheik rebounded with an amazing 2006. He’s got a hit Broadway show and an impressive rock project that hasn’t even been released yet. There’s also this fine pop album that, admittedly, includes a snide comment about a leader in a flight suit. As noted
in this interview, though, Sheik’s a former Young Republican, and maybe we’ll get him back in the fold someday. Until then,
White Limousine honors an Older Republican with a nice song about Duncan's mother.
Eric Matthews Foundation Sounds (Empyrean)We can’t remember why, but Matthews showed up on a blacklist during the ’90s for having some kind of conservative view. What really derailed his symphonic pop career, however, was a deadly dull sophomore solo effort. He rebounded with a fine short album in 2005, and this one was the easy-listening triumph of the year.
Electric Six Señor Smoke (Metropolitan)Technically a release from last year—as discussed
here—but this album escaped its evil corporate overlord in 2006. The second album the Six released this year was pretty good, too.
rome56 Trip Glasses (no label)We usually say that
Arthur Lamonica has made whatever album Elvis Costello is getting all the false acclaim over at the end of year. Costello actually made a pretty good album this year, but
Trip Glasses is still better.
P.F. Sloan Sailover (Hightone)Rugged and ragged pop music from
an old legend who still writes songs in a bid to get laid.
Deadsy Phantasmagore (Immortal)They'd
appreciate your support.
Susan Christie Paint A Lady (Finders Keepers)Perhaps cheating here, since this is an unreleased psych-folk album from 1970. Lots of gorgeous moments, and the nine-minute epic “Yesterday, Where’s My Mind?” was the kind of tough love that hippies needed to hear at the time.
Tris McCall I’m Assuming You’re All In Bands (Jersey Beat)A genuinely good-hearted Leftist, and a smart pop guy who can work a white rap outside the realm of humor. This one also has lengthy fictionalized liner notes that nicely tear apart the Brooklyn music scene that birthed the album.
Lupe Fiasco Food & Liquor (Atlantic)Pleasantly moralistic hip-hop, and the best symphonic beats since King Britt.
Sparks Hello, Young Lovers (In The Red)Not as brilliant as
Lil’ Beethoven, but with more pop moments augmenting their new operatic direction. They remain the kind of cultural contrarians that this site celebrates—in fact,
right here.
Make it your own: Still too lazy to link to these things, yet still never too lazy to link to our own important writings.
