I’m in Boston (well, Cambridge really) now, drinking some delicious Kashmiri Chai at Tealuxe. Since I’ll be moderately out of touch while I’m in Mexico, and since we’re nearing the halfway point of the year, I thought now would be a good time to step back and get a little perspective on 2006 so far.
So, here are my 10 favorite records of the year to-date. They’re in approximate order, though I didn’t really put that much thought into the rankings (except for the #1) and I will almost certainly change my mind on a number of these (up or down) as I have more time with them.
1. Submarines – Declare a New State
Still my favorite record of the year. The more I listen to it, the more I fall in love with them. My current favorite track is This Conversation but they’re all really good. It’s not quite Illinois, but if this ends up my #1 for the year, it’ll be a solid pick.
Mates of State – Bring It Back
Just reviewed it a couple of days ago. Nothing new to add. Still great. The husband/wife teams are really dominating the top slots here, aren’t they? Best song: Beautiful Dreamer.
I’m not even sure it’s fair to count this one since the two best songs are from 2004, but it wasn’t available in the US until now, and really, I’ll take any chance I can get to hype You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve. Best song of the millennium? Quite probably.
Voxtrot – Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, and Wives EP
Sure, it’s only a 5-song EP, but all five songs are great. Soft and Warm is my song of the year so far.
Band of Horses – Everything All the Time
Never did a full review of this album after it was released, but they’ve been blogged about by basically everyone in the world, so you already know the deal. Still digging the vibe of The Funeral. Though the album seems to have a little less staying power than I expected – we’ll see how I feel in 6 months…
On compiling this list, I realized I hadn’t listened to this album in a couple weeks. What an oversight! Blistering, yet beautiful. Current favorite song: Balcony.
Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out Of This Country
Yes, I’ve only heard a few songs off it. I don’t care. The other ones could all be by Creed and this would still be a great album. Is it totally out of line for me to ask Tracyanne Campbell to marry me? Best song: Let’s Get Out of This Country.
Rainer Maria – Catastrophe Keeps Us Together
It’s a little hard to admit there’s a big part of me that’s still into Rainer Maria’s brand of emo/rock/pop (I mean, that’s so 2001!). But whatever. This is good stuff. Sing me something clear and true, Caithlin!
Josh Ritter – The Animal Years
Sure, he is just one more voice in a crowded sea of singer-songwriters. But what a voice! Simple, powerful, sometimes playful, sometimes emotional songs, and a lot of fun to listen to. Best song is the epic Thin Blue Flame.
Jon Auer – Songs From the Year of Our Demise
Walks the fine line between bleakness and depression, but he holds onto just enough of the good ol’ fashioned power pop carried over from the Posies to keep you from getting suicidal. Best song: Six Feet Under.
Some more albums that I still haven’t heard in entirety, but which are making some noise for me this year:
Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche
Lawrence Arms – Oh! Calcutta!
Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome
Mojave 3 – Puzzles Like You
Tim Easton – Ammunition
Walkmen – A Hundred Miles Off
Tonight, it’s Laura Veirs at TT The Bear’s. Should be a good show, and maybe I’ll even run into Sufjan.
Like I said yesterday, I’ll update when I get a chance from Mexico. Until then…