Julia Conny
11/08/06, 07:48 AM
Introduction
I joined this website two months ago which is barely a taste in the longer schemes. But in just those two months, I have discovered more music that I really like (and hate) than any other compressed amount of time. I'd even venture to say I'm more open-minded that I ever was. I would've probably written off Regina Spektor as another female songwriter with a tortured soul, and I would've been completely wrong. I'd be overlooking Pompeii, Band of Horses, and The Dear Hunter. I've waited for more Myspace and Purevolume players to load that ever before. And I still don't think my list reflects that enough. I've only begun learning not to rely so much on my discography of personal classics. I imagine if I took a peek into all of your favorites, I'd have a list that could keep me listening for days.
2007 will be a great year for music, I feel it in my bones.
Top Ten Albums of 2006
10) As Tall As Lions - As Tall As Lions
There is a gentle and jazzy maturity that As Tall As Lions calls their own, and when I immediately started spinning their self-titled, it was clear they really figured where they wanted to go and how they could craft emotions, hard and soft, without haphazardly throwing music in your face.
9) ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - So Divided
Trail of Dead runs cooky melodies and interesting electronics through my bloodstream. So Divided kept me occupied over and over and on multiple levels of emotional response.
8) Downtown Singapore - Dont Let Your Guard Down
I would've given my left arm to see them guys breaker into a bigger territory. Don't Let Your Guard Down was an excellent effort for a debut full-length, and Jerry Scott's falsetto was an Anthony Green prodigy.
7) Rainer Maria - Catastrophe Keeps Us Together
I rarely find female vocalists that strike a lasting fancy for me, but Rainer Maria was a balanced catchy and sweet. I felt a feminist connection to Caithlin De Marrais.
6) Class of 98 - Touch This And Die
Class of 98 is what I think a pop-punk should be. "Bass Guitar" made almost all of my mixed CD's this year.
5) Spitalfield - Better Than Knowing Where You Are
I might get this shit for this, but I think Spitalfield has one of the more original pop-punk get-ups out there. They have a killer knack for layering ethereal guitars and naive romantics, which is sometimes all a girl needs. I don't think Better Than Knowing Where You Are was better than Stop Doing Bad Things but more like a part two. And since Bad Things made my list last year, I'm happy to host it again.
4) Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Of Me
Ah, the mega-important release of 2006 and EASILY my most anticipated. Brand New is arguably my favorite band, but TDAGARIM still struggled to keep up with the lyrical bullseye and all around home runs of Deja Entendu. I have a very personal connection to Brand New and I knew that in order for me to fully believe in their new efforts, I'd have to reconnect. I think "Jesus" is the best work the band has ever done, "Limousine" is perfection in it softer parts, and "Not The Sun"/"Anchers" prove to me that the dudes still have some faster tricks up their sleeves.
3) Pompeii - Assembly
"Numbers" and "Catalogue" originally sold me on Assembly, but after a deeper glance, I noticed little quirks and lyrical itches that fulfilled a soothing, good-natured package I needed at the time. The end of my 2006 was frantic at times and disillusioning at times; Assembly always helped that.
2) Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
"Our Swords" is my favorite song of 2006. Hands down. The rest are awesome too, but "Our Swords" fucking guts it.
1) The Format - Dog Problems
The Format is everything I think a band should be. I remember listening to "The First Single" and my hands clapping along before i even learned the words. The best bands and the best songs invoke you physically like a reaction of nerves. Dog Problems plays less on the hand clap but still make an album that is utterly impossible to sit still to. Without fail, The Format changes my mood.
Honorable Mentions of 2006
Say Anything - Was A Real Boy Re-release
Smoking Popes - At Metro
The Early November - The Mother, The Mechanic & The Path
The Audition - Controversy Loves Company
The Blood Brothers - Young Machetes
Saosin - Saosin
Punchline - 37 Everywhere
The Sleeping - Questions and Answers
Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
The Forecast - In The Shadow of Two Gunmen
Worst Albums of 2006
Angels and Airwaves - We Dont Need to Whisper
Hellogoodbye - Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why HGB would release an album of tracks we have all heard before and nearly three years ago. Drive Thru or not, this album was as pointless as it gets. And Tom DeLonge, calling your music epic doesnt actually mean that your music is epic. Lame.
Most Anticipated of 2007
Piebald
Valencia
Say Anything
Hot Rod Circuit
Ted Leo & The Pharamacists
Panic! At The Disco
I may or may not have already heard Piebalds Accidental Gentlemen ;], but all four of these releases, if all goes well, are very likely to make my Top Albums of 2007. The Hot Rod Circuit disco is one of my most prized possessions. Nonetheless, Realitys Coming Through was one of my bigger let downs of 2004. I pray at the foot every night of my bed for HRC and the budding potentials of excellence. I'd like to see if Valencia's follow-up to This Could Be A Possibility will be a reiteration or advancement. As for Panic, I am dying to know what kind of overdone sophomore gimmick they will think up next. I'm sure it will be very interesting.
Most Overrated Albums of 2006
Gatsby's American Dream - Gatsby's American Dream
Hit The Lights - This Is A Stick Up, Dont Make It A Murder
Over It - Step Outside Yourself
Anathallo - Floating World
Cobra Starship - When the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets
If Cobra Starship didn't have Mr. Saporta and a cute little film/internet buzz, I highly doubt anyone would've given this as much as a quick glance. I never was a big Midtown fan, so that's probably a big part of it. Anathallo and GAD I just don't "get," and I've tried. Take my street cred if you must. Over It bored me, live and on recording. And Hit The Lights' "Bodybag" irritated me more than any other song released in 2006. Really.
Biggest Letdown of 2006
Dashboard Confessional - Dusk & Summer
I know every word to every Dashboard song, but when Dusk & Summer crooned Chris Carrabba as a washed up romantic, a little part of me died. I fully welcomed and enjoyed A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar even without the acoustic intimacy, so a full band wasnt the problem. It just sucked.
Top Labels of 2006
One Eleven
Eyeball
Fueled By Ramen
Eyeball released Pompeii's Assembly, which makes me a happy girl. I think their lineup is like a hidden treasure chest. One Eleven was the campus whore; everywhere I turned, there was a new 111 banner or tour e-card. No matter how much you hate CIWWAF or that FOB went mega-popular, FBR know their shit.
Top Up and Comers of 2006
The Transit War
All Time Low
The Dear Hunter
A friend suggested The Dear Hunter to me, claiming I MUST listen. When I did, I was blown away, and that's pretty tough to do nowadays. All Time Low had the big time formulas down since before they signed to Hopeless, and considering how fast they've gained national popularity, I think that's a good indication towards greener pastures. The Transit War have all the indie pop rock ingredients, and they're releases are good for solid executions.
Best Other Webzine of 2006
Pitchfork
Pastepunk
Jordan Baker runs one of the top-notch and most well organized webzines out there. Oh, and he's an awesome writer too. In fact, when I was a baby writer fighting for the ranks, I sought after a style and finesse like his. I read Pitchfork when I have writer's block. I usually don't understand what they're saying in their reviews, but it sounds so damn hot.
Top Eps of 2006
Agent Sparks - Not So Merry
The Dear Hunter - Act I: The Lake South, The River North
Like I said before, The Dear Hunter left me lurking their Purevolume page for weeks straight. Agent Sparks' "Choke" hit up many of my mixed CD's this year.
Top Guilty Pleasures of 2006
Boys Like Girls - Boys Like Girls
Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now
Boys Like Girls was ALWAYS in my car and it would magically make its way to my stereo on many occasions. As for Taking Back Sunday, Where You Want To Be was a sophomore slump, and I think a lot of fans are in agreement. Louder Now did some good things, and I thought "Make Damn Sure" was a killer single (the video was kinda neat too).
Saddest Break Ups of 2006
Rainer Maria
Downtown Singapore
The Juliana Theory
I gave up after Love,but Emotion Is Dead still ranks up there. Even if it was TJT had run its course, I'll be lighting candles annually. Downtown Singapore was my favorite MD band of all time, and they were so close to bigger pictures.
Best Reunions of 2006
Texas Is The Reason
Gorilla Biscuits
Smoking Popes
As Cities Burn
I love reunions. The make me all warm and fuzzy inside. As Cities Burn reformed because swarms of fans let them how much they will be missed, and the band decided to give it another show. Power to the people. The Smoking Popes, Texas Is the Reason, and Gorilla Biscuits are all considered "classics," if you will," an when the classics reunite, it brings back fond memories of pre-P!ATD days. Fugazi, it's your turn next
(Some) Top Songs of 2006
"Choke" - Agent Sparks
"Our Swords" - Band of Horses
"Jesus" - Brand New
"Hotel Song" - Regina Spektor
"Flashlight" - Punchline
"The Compromise" - The Format
"Bass Guitar" - Class of 98
"Hair" - The Early November
"Voices" - Saosin
"Don't Call Me Peanut" - Bayside
These are only some of the jewels I jammed to.
2007 Predictions
Already considering some upcoming releases, 2007 is destined for good things. I expect some really awesome and fresh indie-pop outfits and lots more gimmicky bands. I also expect P!ATD to fall and burn. Say Anything will continue rocking my face and the new Fall Out Boy leak will cause the Internet to temporarily turn off. I'm excited.
I joined this website two months ago which is barely a taste in the longer schemes. But in just those two months, I have discovered more music that I really like (and hate) than any other compressed amount of time. I'd even venture to say I'm more open-minded that I ever was. I would've probably written off Regina Spektor as another female songwriter with a tortured soul, and I would've been completely wrong. I'd be overlooking Pompeii, Band of Horses, and The Dear Hunter. I've waited for more Myspace and Purevolume players to load that ever before. And I still don't think my list reflects that enough. I've only begun learning not to rely so much on my discography of personal classics. I imagine if I took a peek into all of your favorites, I'd have a list that could keep me listening for days.
2007 will be a great year for music, I feel it in my bones.
Top Ten Albums of 2006
10) As Tall As Lions - As Tall As Lions
There is a gentle and jazzy maturity that As Tall As Lions calls their own, and when I immediately started spinning their self-titled, it was clear they really figured where they wanted to go and how they could craft emotions, hard and soft, without haphazardly throwing music in your face.
9) ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - So Divided
Trail of Dead runs cooky melodies and interesting electronics through my bloodstream. So Divided kept me occupied over and over and on multiple levels of emotional response.
8) Downtown Singapore - Dont Let Your Guard Down
I would've given my left arm to see them guys breaker into a bigger territory. Don't Let Your Guard Down was an excellent effort for a debut full-length, and Jerry Scott's falsetto was an Anthony Green prodigy.
7) Rainer Maria - Catastrophe Keeps Us Together
I rarely find female vocalists that strike a lasting fancy for me, but Rainer Maria was a balanced catchy and sweet. I felt a feminist connection to Caithlin De Marrais.
6) Class of 98 - Touch This And Die
Class of 98 is what I think a pop-punk should be. "Bass Guitar" made almost all of my mixed CD's this year.
5) Spitalfield - Better Than Knowing Where You Are
I might get this shit for this, but I think Spitalfield has one of the more original pop-punk get-ups out there. They have a killer knack for layering ethereal guitars and naive romantics, which is sometimes all a girl needs. I don't think Better Than Knowing Where You Are was better than Stop Doing Bad Things but more like a part two. And since Bad Things made my list last year, I'm happy to host it again.
4) Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Of Me
Ah, the mega-important release of 2006 and EASILY my most anticipated. Brand New is arguably my favorite band, but TDAGARIM still struggled to keep up with the lyrical bullseye and all around home runs of Deja Entendu. I have a very personal connection to Brand New and I knew that in order for me to fully believe in their new efforts, I'd have to reconnect. I think "Jesus" is the best work the band has ever done, "Limousine" is perfection in it softer parts, and "Not The Sun"/"Anchers" prove to me that the dudes still have some faster tricks up their sleeves.
3) Pompeii - Assembly
"Numbers" and "Catalogue" originally sold me on Assembly, but after a deeper glance, I noticed little quirks and lyrical itches that fulfilled a soothing, good-natured package I needed at the time. The end of my 2006 was frantic at times and disillusioning at times; Assembly always helped that.
2) Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
"Our Swords" is my favorite song of 2006. Hands down. The rest are awesome too, but "Our Swords" fucking guts it.
1) The Format - Dog Problems
The Format is everything I think a band should be. I remember listening to "The First Single" and my hands clapping along before i even learned the words. The best bands and the best songs invoke you physically like a reaction of nerves. Dog Problems plays less on the hand clap but still make an album that is utterly impossible to sit still to. Without fail, The Format changes my mood.
Honorable Mentions of 2006
Say Anything - Was A Real Boy Re-release
Smoking Popes - At Metro
The Early November - The Mother, The Mechanic & The Path
The Audition - Controversy Loves Company
The Blood Brothers - Young Machetes
Saosin - Saosin
Punchline - 37 Everywhere
The Sleeping - Questions and Answers
Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
The Forecast - In The Shadow of Two Gunmen
Worst Albums of 2006
Angels and Airwaves - We Dont Need to Whisper
Hellogoodbye - Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why HGB would release an album of tracks we have all heard before and nearly three years ago. Drive Thru or not, this album was as pointless as it gets. And Tom DeLonge, calling your music epic doesnt actually mean that your music is epic. Lame.
Most Anticipated of 2007
Piebald
Valencia
Say Anything
Hot Rod Circuit
Ted Leo & The Pharamacists
Panic! At The Disco
I may or may not have already heard Piebalds Accidental Gentlemen ;], but all four of these releases, if all goes well, are very likely to make my Top Albums of 2007. The Hot Rod Circuit disco is one of my most prized possessions. Nonetheless, Realitys Coming Through was one of my bigger let downs of 2004. I pray at the foot every night of my bed for HRC and the budding potentials of excellence. I'd like to see if Valencia's follow-up to This Could Be A Possibility will be a reiteration or advancement. As for Panic, I am dying to know what kind of overdone sophomore gimmick they will think up next. I'm sure it will be very interesting.
Most Overrated Albums of 2006
Gatsby's American Dream - Gatsby's American Dream
Hit The Lights - This Is A Stick Up, Dont Make It A Murder
Over It - Step Outside Yourself
Anathallo - Floating World
Cobra Starship - When the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets
If Cobra Starship didn't have Mr. Saporta and a cute little film/internet buzz, I highly doubt anyone would've given this as much as a quick glance. I never was a big Midtown fan, so that's probably a big part of it. Anathallo and GAD I just don't "get," and I've tried. Take my street cred if you must. Over It bored me, live and on recording. And Hit The Lights' "Bodybag" irritated me more than any other song released in 2006. Really.
Biggest Letdown of 2006
Dashboard Confessional - Dusk & Summer
I know every word to every Dashboard song, but when Dusk & Summer crooned Chris Carrabba as a washed up romantic, a little part of me died. I fully welcomed and enjoyed A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar even without the acoustic intimacy, so a full band wasnt the problem. It just sucked.
Top Labels of 2006
One Eleven
Eyeball
Fueled By Ramen
Eyeball released Pompeii's Assembly, which makes me a happy girl. I think their lineup is like a hidden treasure chest. One Eleven was the campus whore; everywhere I turned, there was a new 111 banner or tour e-card. No matter how much you hate CIWWAF or that FOB went mega-popular, FBR know their shit.
Top Up and Comers of 2006
The Transit War
All Time Low
The Dear Hunter
A friend suggested The Dear Hunter to me, claiming I MUST listen. When I did, I was blown away, and that's pretty tough to do nowadays. All Time Low had the big time formulas down since before they signed to Hopeless, and considering how fast they've gained national popularity, I think that's a good indication towards greener pastures. The Transit War have all the indie pop rock ingredients, and they're releases are good for solid executions.
Best Other Webzine of 2006
Pitchfork
Pastepunk
Jordan Baker runs one of the top-notch and most well organized webzines out there. Oh, and he's an awesome writer too. In fact, when I was a baby writer fighting for the ranks, I sought after a style and finesse like his. I read Pitchfork when I have writer's block. I usually don't understand what they're saying in their reviews, but it sounds so damn hot.
Top Eps of 2006
Agent Sparks - Not So Merry
The Dear Hunter - Act I: The Lake South, The River North
Like I said before, The Dear Hunter left me lurking their Purevolume page for weeks straight. Agent Sparks' "Choke" hit up many of my mixed CD's this year.
Top Guilty Pleasures of 2006
Boys Like Girls - Boys Like Girls
Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now
Boys Like Girls was ALWAYS in my car and it would magically make its way to my stereo on many occasions. As for Taking Back Sunday, Where You Want To Be was a sophomore slump, and I think a lot of fans are in agreement. Louder Now did some good things, and I thought "Make Damn Sure" was a killer single (the video was kinda neat too).
Saddest Break Ups of 2006
Rainer Maria
Downtown Singapore
The Juliana Theory
I gave up after Love,but Emotion Is Dead still ranks up there. Even if it was TJT had run its course, I'll be lighting candles annually. Downtown Singapore was my favorite MD band of all time, and they were so close to bigger pictures.
Best Reunions of 2006
Texas Is The Reason
Gorilla Biscuits
Smoking Popes
As Cities Burn
I love reunions. The make me all warm and fuzzy inside. As Cities Burn reformed because swarms of fans let them how much they will be missed, and the band decided to give it another show. Power to the people. The Smoking Popes, Texas Is the Reason, and Gorilla Biscuits are all considered "classics," if you will," an when the classics reunite, it brings back fond memories of pre-P!ATD days. Fugazi, it's your turn next
(Some) Top Songs of 2006
"Choke" - Agent Sparks
"Our Swords" - Band of Horses
"Jesus" - Brand New
"Hotel Song" - Regina Spektor
"Flashlight" - Punchline
"The Compromise" - The Format
"Bass Guitar" - Class of 98
"Hair" - The Early November
"Voices" - Saosin
"Don't Call Me Peanut" - Bayside
These are only some of the jewels I jammed to.
2007 Predictions
Already considering some upcoming releases, 2007 is destined for good things. I expect some really awesome and fresh indie-pop outfits and lots more gimmicky bands. I also expect P!ATD to fall and burn. Say Anything will continue rocking my face and the new Fall Out Boy leak will cause the Internet to temporarily turn off. I'm excited.