Best Albums of 2006

(all lists in no particular order, we’re not that anal here)

A Quick Poll: Online/streaming audio?

Who’d like to make some recommendations for streaming music online? As much as I maintain loyalty to KEXP, I have to give a regular shout-out to KCRW in Santa Monica, CA. Their site’s great, the streams available through iTunes are divided between music and NPR news (very useful!) and they have terrific programming.

Also, I have found myself turning to Pandora/Music Genome Project frequently. It has taken a few hours of actively steering the music, but now I have a few refined stations.

But right now I am streaming Radio Campus Paris. Sublime. Additionally, it is a must-have for any Roots fan as the Pump Up the Jazz program plays like-minded tunes.

Two Tasks for Boxing Day:

For one, observe a moment of silence for the hardest workin’ man in showbiz, the Godfather of Soul, Mister James Brown. Sure, he had a turbulent personal life, but let’s remember him for the masterful showman and music-maker that he was.

Second, cast your votes at kexp.org for your favorite five albums of 2006. The Roots, Wolfmother, Silversun Pickups and DJ Krush are four of mine. Do it now!

Excellent 4AD Artist Database

If you’re a fan of 4AD bands, you’ll find this site fascinating. You’ll find discography and artwork from 4AD bands like Pixies, Throwing Muses, Gus Gus, Bettie Serveert, The Breeders, and many more. Not bad.

If you’re a fan of monumental 4AD music artwork guru Vaughn Oliver/V23, here’s a PDF from a Jan/98 Computer Arts describing his split with the label.

A Clutch of Duos

I must admit that while being a fan of drummer/guitarist-vocalist duos, I can’t recall seeing one since the irresistable House of Freaks opened for Midnight Oil (please, no laughing) in 1988 at Denver’s long-gone Rainbow Theatre.

And now here we are, in music time centuries later, and I see not one but two duos in one night.

Portland duo Merrick Foundation played at the Mars Bar Saturday night, and they got the usual sedate Mars Bar denizens on their feet, not to dance, but to study the band up close. They make a substantial amount of music for two people, and it’s pretty damn good music to boot, so closer study should come as no surprise.

Anyone Know the Song-Artist in This?

Danzig? It’s the song at the end, while the guy’s doing pushups.

Mmmmkay.

This post is dedicated to asking the question why? Or maybe these videos won’t cause you to ask anything, but rather will simply will cause you to stay off the internets for a day or two.

Only you have the answer. So sit back, look, and listen.

NrSFW
Not really suitable for work

KEXP Yule Benefit Last Night

Cold War Kids, Junior Boys, Ted Leo, Juno at Neumos, Sunday Dec. 10th.

Cold War Kids This exceptionally vocally powerful, ardent, lively band from Fullerton California rocked pretty well Sunday night. They know what they’re doing, and they have the songwriting skills to really make their live work mean something. Rhythmically they moved you from 0-60 at the snap of a wrist. Their start/stops were as sharp as razors. Dynamic and punchy. Perfect.

Liking the New Shins

I’ve heard the Shin’s new single Phantom Limb on KEXP a few times, and it’s instantly recognizable, and instantly excellent, to me.

The Shins’ third album that contains it — Wincing the Night Away — is should be out sometime in 2007.

Amy Millan, I Think I Love You

I don’t like pop. Er, I enjoy some pop. Ok, I enjoy pop more than I admit. And I really like the Stars’ Elevator Love Letter. I’ve heard it on KEXP a few times; this time I checked the playlist, got the band name, and went digging.

Here it is.

The video itself is quite good IMHO, and frankly, Amy Millan, I think I love you.

Got a Bomb Dropped on Me

I was in Grand Central Bakery near my place yesterday, and when I walked in a bomb dropped on me.

The staff was playing a funk CLASSIC, The Gap Band’s You Dropped a Bomb on Me. I almost had to sit down; I was lightheaded with nostalgia, and my feet were getting “happy”.

Back in ‘82 or so I used to hear this at the Skateland roller rink, and one time I went up to the DJ booth to ask what it was. They told me and I went out and bought the tape with allowance or lawn-mowing money.