Top 10 Albums of 2006

Here’s a conversation starter for you to debate, argue or laugh over to your hearts content at whatever festive gathering you plan on attending tonight when ringing in the New Year. My Top 10 Albums of 2006, a year that turned out to be an okay year for music that definitely saw the release of some records that’ll probably be on my turntable for the foreseeable future.

That being said, these are the albums that I myself alone heard “this year” and I make no presumptions that I heard everything that was released in ‘06. My guidelines were pretty simple: All 2006 North American new releases that included full-length albums and/or EPs. I decided to exclude “new” compilations of previously released and unreleased material only because I felt it more prudent to stick to what was currently going on, something that’s hard to do when gushing over someone who was (or should have been) relevant 20, 25 years ago.

In any case, if you see one of your favorites missing from the list, let me know. Maybe I never got around to hearing it for which you’ll be forever thanked in the Ditching Boy acknowledgements. Or maybe I did hear for which you might receive a “curt” reply stating why I believe you’re wrong. In any event, it’s all in good fun so lighten up and enjoy.

Ditching Boy’s Top 10 Albums of 2006

1. Grand National Kicking The National Habit
2006 finally saw the North American release of Kicking The National Habit and it remains, hands down, my favorite record of the year. As I stated last May, this album has a little bit of everything for everyone but not once does it ever feel overwhelming. I imagine that the years will be nice to this one, eternally enshrining it in the Ditching Boy Hall of Fame.
Grand National “Talk Amongst Yourselves” (MP3)

2. New Radiant Storm King The Steady Hand
Out of the ten albums found on this list, The Steady Hand is the one I’ve been listening to the longest. I was sure all the way back in January that it would end up on this list and I’m still sure twelve months later. This is an album that, for some reason, I can’t help but associate with college even though it’s been more than ten years since I graduated. It just has that sound that I very much favoured during that particular time of my life. Indie-rock at its best.
New Radiant Storm King “Fighting Off The Pricks” (MP3)

3. Scritti Politti White Bread, Black Beer
Another one making my Top 10 that doesn’t surprise me in the least. Not once does White Bread, Black Beer disappoint. Green Gartside’s vocals and harmonies remain top-notch even at this stage of his career and all of the compositions are absolutely lovely. Lots of guitars, the likes of which haven’t been seen on a Scritti record since some of his earliest singles.
Scritti Politti “Snow In Sun” (MP3)

4. Poni Hoax Poni Hoax
This one almost went straight to the top but the wide-range of post-punk influences (all ones I love) found on the record, mainly art and dance rock a’la early PiL and Ultravoxx along with more recent indie-rock stalwarts such as the Editors or Interpol, detract just a smidge from the overall feel of the record. Not much but enough where, on a rock album, it’s noticeable. The gripes, however, are very miniscule in comparison to how fantastic sounding this album really is which has resulted in Poni Hoax being high on my list for months now.
Poni Hoax “Cheerleader In My Dreams” (MP3)

5. Editors The Back Room
Interpol…if only Interpol weren’t afraid of not taking themselves so seriously all the time by just letting go. The Back Room manages to get it right in all the correct places, knowing the appropriate time to both turn it up and turn it down. With its wide instrumental color palette, The Back Room is a solid debut album reminiscent of the Chameleons’ Script Of The Bridge. Intense, but not pretentious.
Editors “Fingers In The Factories” (MP3)

6. The Pipettes We Are The Pipettes
60s doo-wop gets a makeover. What we have here are girl-group outfits, giddy harmonies and string-laden pop songs the likes of which haven’t been seen in popular music since my mother was in high school. We Are The Pipettes harkens back to feelings of 60s innocence but manages to sound so completely modern at the same time.
The Pipettes “Because It’s Not Love (But It’s Still A Feeling)” (MP3)

7. Mylo Destroy Rock & Roll
A mainstream dance album that was huge all over the world before its expanded US release earlier in the year. For fans of house, electro, guitar rock and/or 80s synth pop, Destroy Rock & Roll mines so many different genres that I couldn’t help but find something new every time I put it on. Released in February, I think it was almost May before I stopped playing it daily…it’s very infectious that way.
Mylo “In My Arms” (MP3)

8. I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness Fear Is On Our Side
I still get teased by my friends for my fondness of early, mid-80s introspective, guitar-laden post-punk music; the kind that probably acts more as a pre-cursor to the goth-scene. While grounded in English post-punk, Fear Is On Our Side can’t help but take on a more cinematic, American landscape feel. A wonderful album that manages to create one of the more unique moods found on a record all year.
I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness “According To Plan” (MP3)

9. The Knife Silent Shout

I tried to resist liking this one based on all the hype it received both prior to and after it’s summer release but the truth is that Silent Shout has left me completely mesmerized. You don’t pick the music, the music picks you and this one comes at you with a thumping bass and sound that can only be described as metallic in nature. It will leave the listener with an emptiness upon conclusion which is odd coming from a band that is better known for having a more upbeat sound to their music. One of the few listens that I had this year which sounded so unlike anything else out there.
The Knife “We Share Our Mother’s Health” (MP3)

10. Cats On Fire Draw In The Reins EP

For those who love the Smiths, this one will no doubt thrill you to pieces. Draw In The Reins was probably overshadowed by all things Voxtrot, a band who Cats On Fire share similarities with, but I prefer the chops on these guys a bit more. One of those EPs that had me wishing, wishing, wishing that it were a full-length.

Cats on Fire "Draw In The Reins" (MP3)

Currently Making Me Giddy...

...is 7 From The Village by Fields. A pop sensibility with a folk aesthetic that seems reminiscent of the Byrds if the Byrds had been backed by My Bloody Valentine. We like and you eMusic or iTunes users might to.

No new content until Sunday, at the earliest, when I post my Top 10 Albums of 2006 list but I do hope the holidays are treating everyone nicely. The Flying Nun 25th Anniversary Boxset given to me by Ms. DB is currently keeping me occupied; I'm sure I'll bore you all about it later.

Martin Newell "Christmas In Suburbia"

I wanted to get something posted today in order to mark the holiday so here’s a type of Christmas-themed song, for those of you who celebrate such things, from Martin Newell’s 1993 album, The Greatest Living Englishman.

I know I’ve talked in the past on Ditching Boy’s pages about Martin Newell and the Cleaners From Venus so all I’ll say is that he’s probably one of the most fascinating individuals the British music scene has produced, alongside the likes of Dan Treacy, Robyn Hitchcock and Richard Thompson. For lack of a better word, rock musicians who manage to hold onto their English culture by incorporating it into their music. And if your Christmas is anything like that described in Mr. Newell's lyrics then, well, all the more special.

I also wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. Hopefully those of you who have taken the time to go through the site have derived the same sort of pleasure as I while putting these pages together and I look forward to continuing throughout the new year.

Martin Newell “Christmas In Suburbia” (MP3)

Cocteau Twins "Frosty The Snowman"

I can’t say that I’m really a fan of holiday songs. I appreciate them for the mood they create with the season but overall I treat them like white noise. I also can’t say that I’m really a fan of the Cocteau Twins besides some stuff here and there. I have both Treasure and Heaven or Las Vegas, both albums that get pulled off the shelves from time to time but not to an extent where I’d consider myself a fan.

I am, however, a fan of Robin Guthrie and his production skills in the recording studio. He’s on the list of producers, should I see his name in the credits, where I’ll take a dive whether or not I’m familiar with the band or not. Therefore, this is one holiday song covered with Mr. Guthrie’s fingerprints that I don’t necessarily mind sharing with you. It’s a nice interpretation of a classic story suitable for this time of the year.

Cocteau Twins “Frosty The Snowman” (MP3)

Catherine Wheel "Judy Staring At The Sun"

Today's post over at the ever-wonderful Chromewaves.net prompted this one. The flip-side of the second single taken from Catherine Wheel's third album, Happy Days, which is basically an alternate version of the single itself.

What we have here is a case where the band (or whoever) errored in overall track seletion for the album. A case where a good song becomes a great song with just a couple of simple adjustments, completely changing the overall mood.

Catherine Wheel "Judy Staring At The Sun" (MP3)

Teenage Fanclub "God Knows It's True"

With the worsening of age comes an even worse memory but I believe Teenage Fanclub first came around for a visit when we were living in one of the apartments near the end of our college career, sometime after the release of Thirteen but before the unveiling of Grand Prix. The Scotish-foursome must not have stayed too long (we weren’t the cleanest bunch) because I don’t really remember giving them any serious attention until several years later, when I picked up Bandwagonesque for a couple of bucks due to JB’s incessant urging. “I just know you’re gonna love it!”

It’s funny how all it sometimes takes are a couple of years to pass for you to gain a new perspective on things but it does and that was the one album of Teenage Fanclub’s that I immediately fell for, jangly hooks and all. And boy is it jangly, almost criminally so, but my goodness…those harmonies! Who wouldn’t fall in love with this record?

This one, picked up shortly after the above events, was pounced upon immediately due to my unfamiliarity with it appearing on any of their albums. Turns out it hadn’t and "God Knows It’s True" quickly became my favorite Teenage Fanclub song and thus remains so to this day. The CDS’ cover art, unfortunately, is another story.

Teenage Fanclub “God Knows It’s True” (MP3)

Times "I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape"

After reading a fair amount of news yesterday about two separate The Prisoner remakes, both a motion picture for Universal along with a six-episode AMC mini-series made for television, I thought it’d be kind of fun to post this song, a sort of tribute to The Prisoner star, Patrick McGoohan. It’s a quirky, funny classic from the Times, a vehicle for Television Personalities member, Edward Ball and his more ‘60s-slanted type recordings, some of which have recently been made available via the ever wonderful Cherry Red Records.

This is the 7" Artpop! (POP 49) version from ’83 which is a bit different from the version that showed up on the Times’ Pop Goes Art! album released the year prior. Ditching Boy is still scratching his head regarding which of the two is more preferred…album vs. single, album vs. single? They both display the same amount of wit and humour but we’ll go with the single version since it has a bit of a bigger, fuller sound to it; the result of some nice production flourishes.

The Times “I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape” (MP3)

Revolving Paint Dream "Sun, Sea, Sand"

One of Creation’s earlier releases, the Revolving Paint Dream (comprised of Primal Scream guitarist Andrew Innes and Christine Wanless along with other members of various Creation Records’ groups) originally had a bit of a myth surrounding them. The group released a mysterious, yet memorable debut disc, Flowers In The Sky (readily available on various compilations), in 1984 but disappeared soon after its release.

Both songs found on the ’45 are beautiful, psychedelic pop songs, not unlike what groups such as the Three O’Clock and Dream Syndicate were doing back in the states. An album, supposedly well underway, was mysteriously aborted but the assumed contents did show up on 1987’s out-takes release, Off To Heaven. This song, one of the said out-takes on Off To Heaven, also appeared as a single, the group’s second ’45, in 1988.

I love this song. There’s just something so sad and tender going on in Christine Wanless’ vocals that never fails to give me goosebumps every time I hear it. Revola recently released all of the group’s material on one handy disc and can be found here.

Revolving Paint Dream “Sun, Sea, Sand” (MP3)

Parachute Men "Leeds Station"

This is one of those bands that put out that one song I love (and love and love and love…) but alas, I’m never moved much beyond that to go and track down any other material.

Which probably explains why I have very little info regarding the Parachute Men, who hailed from across the pond over in Leeds, UK, but their very own brand of pop-psychedelia is enough to make me giddy. A quick review of TweeNet shows that they put out several 7-inchers and an LP but if this song, from the 15 Flamming Groovies compilation, is any indication, then I imagine that they specialized in lots chiming guitars and dreamy melodies that got them nowhere in ’88 when this track first came out.

Parachute Men “Leeds Station” (MP3)

Rationals "I Need You"

This one, coming from the outskirts of the Motor City by way of Ann Arbor, Michigan, goes out to ex-roommate #1 and ex-roommate #2, two Detroit-area natives themselves.

After having a minor national hit in 1966 with "Respect," the Rationals pretty much treaded water until this gem was released in ’68. It flopped and the group continued to tread water until calling it quits two years later, although the band did reform for some gigs in '91. Word has it that the Rationals were a pretty popular draw in Detroit, which is hardly surprising given the song’s grittier, less-Beatles influenced, vibe. I quite like the guitar solo as well.

Rationals “I Need You” (MP3)

Stems "Love Will Grow"

From the Stems to the Stonefish to the Someloves to the DM3 to the Majestic Kelp, Dom Mariani has been crafting first-rate power pop songs, the kind blessed with killer hooks and melodies, as part of the Citadel Records family for over twenty years now. And he makes it look (or sound) so unbelievably easy where all you want to do is phone up a bunch of your close friends, plug in the guitars and rip away. But maybe that's what it’s all about.

This one, taken from the Stems debut EP, was a mistake purchase that turned into something oh so much more and is responsible for my continuing interest in Dom’s career. While not exceeding my love for his work with the Someloves, the Stems did provide the blueprints for what eventually would be used in the creation of some of Dom’s best songs.

"Love Will Grow" is one such blueprint that found the Stems moving away from their 60s garage roots and focusing more on material of the power pop calibre. Just try to convince me that those guitar chords aren’t the most majestic thing you’ve ever heard.

Stems “Love Will Grow” (MP3)

Smithereens "Strangers When We Meet"

A great Smithereens’ song from a great Smithereens’ album. Formed in 1980, this Carteret, NJ quartet had more in common with sixties British Invasion and late 70s power-pop groups than the number of new-wave acts that would create a buzz during the first five years of the band’s existence.

Especially For You, the group’s 1986 full-length debut, got pulled out over the weekend for a bit so I could bask in an album’s worth of 3-minute pop songs. While the group would go on to even greater notoriety, the songs found here probably remain the most raw and gritty of the band’s career. It’s a big favorite in our household alone so I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t own it as copies can probably be obtained for a couple of bucks in just about any used bin across the country.

Smithereens – “Strangers When We Meet” (MP3)

the Toms "(I Wanna Be A) Teen Again"

Here’s a fun one to end the work week with. Seen as one of “the” premier power pop bands of the late 70s, early 80s, the Toms’ frontman, Tom Marolda, is also quite the tech-head and over the years he’s helped produce and record many albums by like-minded artists and big name acts alike.

From the Toms’ 1981 album, Tomfoolery, comes this little diddy about days long gone when things were, perhaps, a bit more simple. Much like "Sun" which is another Toms' song that Ditching Boy thinks is the bees knees, "(I Wanna Be A) Teen Again" is a glorious pop song. I love the piano intro/subsequent playing on this song and it's a great example of a power pop song not being all about the power, when the genre itself just shines.

The Toms – “(I Wanna Be A) Teen Again” (MP3)

Hummingbirds "Tuesday"

We really enjoy Australia’s the Hummingbirds here at Ditching Boy HQ, especially their dynamite single, "Blush." Besides having a gorgeous picture sleeve (something most Oz seven and 12-inchers of the late 80s, early 90s shared), the song is a real cooker. You can’t go wrong with any of the band’s stuff but to get the most “bang” for your buck, I’d have to steer you towards their greatest hits album. It's also the only thing by the group that you can readily find. You can probably pick it up on Amazon for $8 – 10 bucks or for $4.99 in a used bin here in Chicago like I did.

Here’s another one that I’ve always been partial too, taken from the group’s brilliant loveBUZZ album which was produced by Mitch Easter, thus the sparkly jangle sound. The band did record a follow up but this is the one to get. The harmonies on loveBUZZ are just flat-out gorgeous and thus always manage to make me swoon when I put it on.

Hummingbirds “Tuesday” (MP3)

Things "Can't Get Enough"

To my knowledge, L.A.’s the Things have yet to see a proper CD release of their three albums released in the mid 80s, two on Voxx and a third on Epitaph. And from the looks of things on the web, their LPs don’t necessarily come cheap either. Therefore, you can imagine their fan’s joy when "Can’t Get Enough" was included on the Voxx Records 2000 CD release of Be A Caveman! The Best of the Voxx Garage Revival 1979-1990.

Taken from the band’s second album, Outside My Window (1986), "Can’t Get Enough" definitely stands out on its own amongst the other songs found on Be A Caveman!. This is a great song. It’s foundation is clearly 60s garage rock with its fuzzy guitars and such but I’d say that the Things were probably more associated with the whole psych scene. A blaring oversight that this song, or the Things in general, were not included on Rhino’s Children of Nuggets boxset.

Did anyone out there ever see them perform live? I imagine that they were pretty incredible as the musicianship on this track is first rate.

The Things – “Can’t Get Enough” (MP3)

Josef K "Sense of Guilt"

Several weeks now removed saw the latest release in Domino’s series of re-issues from the early 80s “Sound of Young Scotland” scene with Entomology, a handsomely packaged CD that curates Scottish foursome, Josef K. Much like the previously released reissues for Orange Juice and the Fire Engines, Entomology comes bound in a hard-back case that contains the group’s early singles, b-sides, album tracks and various Peel sessions.

It’s a really great listen for both long-time fans and newcomers alike, showcasing one of the groups, along with Orange Juice, involved in the early 80s Postcard scene that went on to influence such bands as the Wedding Present, the Bodines and more recently Franz Ferdinand. For those unfamiliar, be prepared for lots of funky bass riffs, jangley guitars and clever lyrics all wrapped up in tightly, delicious pop songs.

Josef K – “Sense of Guilt” (MP3)

Vipers "Nothing's From Today"

Seen as one of the first bands to blend Beatlesque harmonies with fuzztone garage rock, New York City’s the Vipers provided this nugget to the late, great Greg Shaw for his Battle of the Garages series that helped launch the garage revival craze back in the early 80s.

This version of "Nothing’s From Today" is a lot more fuzzier and a lot more grungier than the more polished version that ultimately appeared on the Vipers’ debut album, Outta The Nest!, an album that, when all is said and done, doesn’t have a bad track on it. In fact, Ms. DB says that she'd have more of an appreciation for the garage rock genre if it all sounded like this. For people who like their garage stomp-rock to have a bit more melodic flair to it thus making it easier to dance to. One of my absolute all time favorites.

The Vipers – “Nothing’s From Today” (MP3)

Harper Lee "Train Not Stopping"

More melancholic reflections from yours-truly on an early Saturday morning, which probably explains why Ms. DB is still fast asleep. The sun is just coming out, its rays sparkling off of the freshly-laid snow that fell all day yesterday, making everything look quite serene and peaceful. A similar situation such as when I first head this song.

Keris Howard, formerly of Sarah Records popsters, Brighter, has been recording heartbreaking melodies as Harper Lee since 1999. What you get here is an upbeat yet sorrowful song that is so honest and pure that one can't help but melt away, much like a snowfall under a cool, yet bright December sun. When I get around to writing that book on songs that perfectly eclipse a moment of one's life, both internally and externally, this number will be high on the list.

Harper Lee - "Train Not Stopping" (MP3)

Jean-Paul Sartre Experience "Shadows"

I’ve been going through a fair number of garage and power pop singles to post for your listening pleasure and asking all-important questions such as, “What’s the best Barracudas’ song?” and “How come the Chesterfield Kings don't get more respect?”, but the weather decided not to cooperate; Chicago’s first snow-fall of the season calls for something a bit more…delicate.

So I’ll throw this one at you, a song that seems to fit the mood of the day; what with the snow gently falling and covering the city in a beautiful blanket of snow. From the The Size Of Food album, the Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, a late 80s Flying Nun roster act, recorded what I consider to be one of their “prettiest” songs that sits perfectly hand-in-hand with “Sparkle That Shines” from fellow Flying Nun-sters, the Straitjacket Fits.

Jean-Paul Sartre Experience – “Shadows” (MP3)

On another note: look for some guest reviews to show up in the coming days, weeks, months (hint, hint…you know who you are), something that I’m actually looking forward to only because said mystery individuals have an easier way with the keyboard than yours-truly.