...The Year In Music 2006

OK, so I was never really great about updating this blog anway, but I have been gone for a ridiculous amount of time (I have had some wonderful and not-so-wonderful distractions). However, there was no way I was not going to share my year-end list; I have been doing for a few years now. Bear in mind that some albums did not make the list because I have not bought them yet (i.e., the new Damien Rice). Enjoy and let me know what your favorites are.

10) Panic! At The Disco - A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out

Ok, I know - these guys are just considered knock-offs of all these teen bands out now. However, I could not help but be enamored with this album. While a lot of those bands are brush-stroking their music with electronic influences, Panic! Go full out Jackson Pollock with it. Some tracks feature very heavy dance influences and others are straight up radio pop rock hits and all are excellent, if disposable, tunes.

9) Julie Roberts - Men & Mascara

My fellow Belmont alumnus already won me over with the wonderful “Break Down Here”, an underrated modern country classic. She wisely stuck to her strengths and delivered a true country album full of songs about love, loss and whiskey.

8) Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere

“Crazy” was not only the name of the single of the year featured on this Danger Mouse and Cee-lo collaboration; it also fully describes the aural experience of the entire disc. Featuring topics as diverse as the Transformers, necrophilia and fung shui, this album with both challenge and delight you.

7) Beyoncé - B’Day

Despite the ridiculous title, B goes on a full-out sonic assault. Almost every song sounds like Ms. Knowles is ready to knock you down whether on the dance floor or in the bedroom. Oh, and Jay-Z better watch it; Beyoncé literally hands a man his ass in the amazing “Irreplaceable.”

6) Lily Allen - Still, Alright

Although not quite released here in the states yet, Lily became a critical staple this year. The album may not blow your mind, but it will win you over with its winsome beats and oh-so-honest-yet-funny lyrics.

5) Kelis - Kelis Was Here

I feel bad but I truly believe will never get the credit she deserves. Her albums keep getting better and better but never sell well. Even the still-loved “Milkshake” could not propel her to quite that level. Thankfully she created an exciting contemporary R&B release. The styles vary wildly, but the CD still manages to sound cohesive. If Kelis can keep making great music, I hope she will always have an outlet to present it with.

4) Nelly Furtado - Loose

Yes, I am notorious for praising an artist for selling out (i.e., Liz Phair). Well here I go again! “Promiscuous” and “Maneater” alone could have forced this album onto my year-end list. Fortunately every other song on here is a winner. Timbaland is definitely the producer of the year and I am so glad he hooked but with Nelstar.

3) Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds

Timbaland continues to earn his producing cred by creating a pop album that is straight out of the future. This is a truly unique and engaging effort that deserved its Grammy nom for Album of the Year.

2) Scissors Sisters - Ta-Dah!

Although only runner up on my list, the title is surely the best one in 2006. The Sisters make a glorious return with wonderfully constructed pop songs that work on so many levels. The 70’s influenced tunes come of blithe at first listen, but further examinations prove their true worth. Hopefully this team will always continue to better and challenge themselves.

1) Dixie Chicks - Taking The Long Way

Casually dissing the president had to be the best and worst thing to ever happen to the Chicks. Before they created good albums that had patchy spots. Now, fueled by the rage, fear and passion of the “incident”, they have recorded their best record yet. Of course, now it won’t get into as many hands as the previous ones did. Every track, even the love songs, express the true, raw emotions that were created by Natalie’s words on that London stage. “The Long Way Round” and “Bitter End” are perfect songs detailing these emotions without being as obvious as the still terrific “Not Ready To Make Nice”. “Easy Silence” is arguably the most romantic love song ever. Nothing is more telling than being able to melt away into your lovers arms when the world is literally coming down around you. By far, this is the must-have of the year and I will be devastated if does not take the Album of the Year Grammy.

Look for a movie list soon, but that one is going a bit rougher since I have missed so many this year!

...Lost Companion

R.I.P. Robert Altman



I only recently became enamored with the work of Robert Altman. Gosford Park was probably the first time I took notice of work. Over the last couple years, I have added many movies of his to my collection including the engaging Tanner '88 and the masterful Short Cuts.

Although he had many unremarkable movies, he was relevant to the very end. If you see Prairie Home Companion rake in some Oscar nominations now, it would not be undeserved. It was one of my favorite movies this year.

I'll miss having him create new films, but I am glad he left a large body of work for me to keep discovering.

...Lost Causes

Dear ABC:

Please do not name an episode of any show a "Season Finale," Fall or otherwise, unless it is halfway decent. A finale of any sort should not want to make me give up on a show.

Also, you may want to reconsider this split season, 3-month-wait crap. HBO barely got away with it and you are no HBO. Steal a page from the 24 Handbook.

Dear Makers of Lost:
Re-boot your show. You have 3 months to set this season right.

Dear Buena Vista Distribution:
I better not even hear a rumor of a "Season 3, Part 1" DVD set. HBO barely got away with it and you are no HBO.

Signed,
Concerned Viewer

...Doogie Knights

In the latest coming out news, we have Neil Patrick Harris declaring his sexuality in People, THE magazine for coming out announcements.



I honestly cannot say I am surprised by Doogie's preference. He has always made gay-friendly choices in his movie roles and only a gay man could make snorting coke off a hooker's ass campy.

In other out news, T.R. Knight also informed us he is McQueery. However, this is only news if you have been living under a rock the past week. Welcome to pop culture y'all.

Congrats to Neil and T.R.'s pride!

...Snow Mann

Since the days have been blustery here, I thought I'd talk about two unexpected new Christmas albums.

First, we have Aimee Mann's Drifter In The Snow.


Not surprisingly, even the jolliest of tunes get a Mann-ish, melancholy makeover. Also not surprisingly, it is very good. Even if it caters to the depressed holiday crowd.

Then there's Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong.

Sarah's album is an even more understated affair although not nearly as depressing. Lacking Mann's natural sad lilt, this is the kind of album you put on while drinking to relax rather than drink to forget.

I put an end to adding to my Christmas music collection long ago, but I think I will make exceptions to these.

...Resurrection

I'm not dead, just tired. Watch this space...

…Bidet?

We are revving right up into the major fall releases that define the season. This week Beyoncé makes her mark and what a mark it is.



The more I listen to this album, the more I am loving it (despite the hideous cover.) I always thought B was a nice girl despite some sexy outfits and dances. By the end of this CD, you will easily believe Ms. Knowles can and will kick your ass if necessary. Jay-Z is definitely whipped. The biggest proof lies not with any of the big-beat R&B dance tracks, but with the lovely slice of pure pop perfection, “Irreplaceable.” As B spits out lyrics like “I can get another you in a minute/Matter of fact he’ll be here in a minute…,” I wish I had a man who done did me wrong to justify playing the song on repeat.

TV on DVD is on a roll too thanks to the upcoming fall season (which is up and running for me thanks to Nip/Tuck’s premiere this week!)

The main DVD release this week is the second season of Lost:



As with the last season, I suspect marathon viewing will only add to the viewing enjoyment. With all the drawn out plot points and weeks of repeats, it will be nice to take it all in in a shorter period of time.

Now that the new releases are becoming more interesting, I can only hope that the movie ones will be too. It is not a coincidence that I have not talked about a film since the wonderful “Little Miss Sunshine.” I can’t be arsed enough to even care about some lightly buzzed-about flicks. I need some motivation Hollywood…get on it!