12-05-2006, 01:31 AM
Ok folks, it's that time of year again. So let's have 'em! The albums that truly kicked my ass this year are as follows:
1. Tom Waits- Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards
An absolutely stunning piece of work from arguably the greatest American singer/songwriter working today, and easily the most adventurous and interesting album released this year. A whopping 56 songs (including two hidden tracks), and every one of them is worth the trip. This thing’s a monster.
"What’s Orphans? I don’t know. Orphans is a dead end kid driving a coffin with big tires across the Ohio River wearing welding goggles and a wife beater with a lit firecracker in his ear." - Tom Waits
2. The Hip- World Container
Like many of you, I could have done without some of the extra bells and whistles that Bob Rock brought to the table (namely the overly excessive production on the title track). But that minor flaw doesn’t take away from the fact that this is some of the strongest material the boys have ever written and their most powerful album since Phantom Power. There‘s a lot of energy and emotion in these songs. Gord’s vocal performance alone is enough to give ya goosebumps, not to mention the superb playing of his four band mates. The band sounds focused, lively and rejuvenated, and I can’t stop listening to it!
3. Pearl Jam- Pearl Jam
The pride of the Pacific Northwest return with their strongest album in years, full of catchy hooks, intelligent songwriting, and kick-ass rock n‘ roll fury. It’s an angry record for sure, but it’s the underlying message of hope that gives the album it’s weight, specifically the beautiful album closer "Inside Job"-- a true rock n’ roll anthem if I’ve ever heard one.
4. Neko Case- Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Not only does she have the greatest pipes in indie-rock, but she can also write a song like nobody’s business. Simply put, the woman is a goddess.
5. Sam Roberts- Chemical City
No sophomore jinx for these guys. Killer songs, great grooves, trippy lyrics, and some good old fashioned kick-you-in-the-nuts rock n’ roll.
6. Johnny Cash- American V: A Hundred Highways
What a beautiful record. Haunting and heartbreaking, but also kind of upbeat at celebratory at the same time. His final original song “Like the 309” sees Johnny facing his imminent death with both courage and humour, and it makes for remarkable listening.
7. Drive-By Truckers- A Blessing and a Curse
Like any great band, the DBTs are evolving, and this album is a bit of a departure for them. It's more of a collection of separate stories, as opposed to the "concept album" feel of their previous efforts. But it kicks just as much ass as anything else they’ve done.
8. Gomez- How We Operate
Saw these guys at the Sasquatch Festival earlier this year, and they blew me away. This is a mature and confident record full of great songwriting, terrific singing, and clever little hooks. Dare I call it an alt-country masterpiece.
9. Los Lobos- The Town and the City
One of the most consistently awesome bands of the last 20 years. Much like our beloved Hip, these guys have never failed to deliver the goods, and this is their best record since their brilliant 1992 masterpiece, Kiko. "The Town" is one of the best album closers I’ve ever heard.
10. K-OS- Atlantis
Another brilliant mixture of hip-hop, rock, pop, folk, soul, and reggae. I’m usually not a big hip-hop fan, but this guy is one talented SOB. I’d say he’s actually more of a singer/songwriter than a rapper. The majority of these songs use live instruments (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, etc..) and the dude has a magnificent singing voice. “Sunday Morning” is hands down the catchiest song I’ve heard all year.
Honorable mentions:
Bob Dylan- Modern Times
Red Hot Chili Peppers- Stadium Arcadium
Cracker- Greenland
TV On the Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain
1. Tom Waits- Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards
An absolutely stunning piece of work from arguably the greatest American singer/songwriter working today, and easily the most adventurous and interesting album released this year. A whopping 56 songs (including two hidden tracks), and every one of them is worth the trip. This thing’s a monster.
"What’s Orphans? I don’t know. Orphans is a dead end kid driving a coffin with big tires across the Ohio River wearing welding goggles and a wife beater with a lit firecracker in his ear." - Tom Waits
2. The Hip- World Container
Like many of you, I could have done without some of the extra bells and whistles that Bob Rock brought to the table (namely the overly excessive production on the title track). But that minor flaw doesn’t take away from the fact that this is some of the strongest material the boys have ever written and their most powerful album since Phantom Power. There‘s a lot of energy and emotion in these songs. Gord’s vocal performance alone is enough to give ya goosebumps, not to mention the superb playing of his four band mates. The band sounds focused, lively and rejuvenated, and I can’t stop listening to it!
3. Pearl Jam- Pearl Jam
The pride of the Pacific Northwest return with their strongest album in years, full of catchy hooks, intelligent songwriting, and kick-ass rock n‘ roll fury. It’s an angry record for sure, but it’s the underlying message of hope that gives the album it’s weight, specifically the beautiful album closer "Inside Job"-- a true rock n’ roll anthem if I’ve ever heard one.
4. Neko Case- Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Not only does she have the greatest pipes in indie-rock, but she can also write a song like nobody’s business. Simply put, the woman is a goddess.
5. Sam Roberts- Chemical City
No sophomore jinx for these guys. Killer songs, great grooves, trippy lyrics, and some good old fashioned kick-you-in-the-nuts rock n’ roll.
6. Johnny Cash- American V: A Hundred Highways
What a beautiful record. Haunting and heartbreaking, but also kind of upbeat at celebratory at the same time. His final original song “Like the 309” sees Johnny facing his imminent death with both courage and humour, and it makes for remarkable listening.
7. Drive-By Truckers- A Blessing and a Curse
Like any great band, the DBTs are evolving, and this album is a bit of a departure for them. It's more of a collection of separate stories, as opposed to the "concept album" feel of their previous efforts. But it kicks just as much ass as anything else they’ve done.
8. Gomez- How We Operate
Saw these guys at the Sasquatch Festival earlier this year, and they blew me away. This is a mature and confident record full of great songwriting, terrific singing, and clever little hooks. Dare I call it an alt-country masterpiece.
9. Los Lobos- The Town and the City
One of the most consistently awesome bands of the last 20 years. Much like our beloved Hip, these guys have never failed to deliver the goods, and this is their best record since their brilliant 1992 masterpiece, Kiko. "The Town" is one of the best album closers I’ve ever heard.
10. K-OS- Atlantis
Another brilliant mixture of hip-hop, rock, pop, folk, soul, and reggae. I’m usually not a big hip-hop fan, but this guy is one talented SOB. I’d say he’s actually more of a singer/songwriter than a rapper. The majority of these songs use live instruments (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, etc..) and the dude has a magnificent singing voice. “Sunday Morning” is hands down the catchiest song I’ve heard all year.
Honorable mentions:
Bob Dylan- Modern Times
Red Hot Chili Peppers- Stadium Arcadium
Cracker- Greenland
TV On the Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain
