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Why I chose Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
This time last year, I didn't even know who the hell Neko Case was. Then, I found out she was a member of The New ****ographers, listened to their album, and fell in love with her beautiful voice. Later on in the year, I learned that she released a solo album, so I picked it up and listened to it. What I heard just blew me away. Over the year, I only liked it more and more. From the single-worthy "Hold On, Hold On" to the elegant "Margaret vs. Pauline" to the entire rest of the album, this is one that you need to hear if you haven't. Neko Case is a true talent who won't sell out to anyone who would take even 1% control over her music. This is 100% her work and it's fantastic, easily one of my favorite albums of 2006.
My favorite tracks from Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
7. Star Witness - "
Hey when she sings, when she sings like she runs, moves like she runs"
6. Maybe Sparrow - "
Moonlight glanced off metal wings in a thunderstorm above the clouds"
5. John Saw That Number - "
John couldn't read it, get on repeat it, John couldn't read it"
4. The Needle Has Landed - "
Here I am in traffic's slow flow, where the needle touched down"
3. Fox Confessor Brings The Flood - "
It's not for you to know, but for you to weep and wonder"
2. Margaret vs. Pauline - "
Two girls ride the blue line, two girls walk down the same street"
1. Hold On, Hold On - "
That echo chorus lied to me with its hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on"
Why I chose The Crane Wife
The Decemberists are certainly a strange band, which is why a lot of people won't even give them a chance. People will hear their marine-themed titles or accordion chords and instantly write them off, as we saw 6 times over in the most recent Popfusion song contest. That's unfortunate. The band is really underappreciated. I've liked them a lot since 2005, when I saw them in concert. Might I add, they also rule for going on The Colbert Report in the "shred-off" versus Stephen himself. As for the album, it's a concept album of sorts, and it flows together from beginning to end. The 12-or-so minute long epic "The Island" is one of my favorite tracks off of it, just barely beat out by the ending track "Sons and Daughters." Any way you slice it, it's hard to pick favorite tracks, because the strength is really in the entire album. It's one that you should listen to all the way through.
My favorite tracks from The Crane Wife
7. O Valencia - "
I'll burn this whole city down, Valencia, with your blood still warm on the ground"
6. Summersong - "
Ramblin', where to begin, I taste the summer on your peppery skin"
5. When The War Came - "
They're picking out a rise by coal and candlelight, when the war came, the war came hard"
4. The Perfect Crime #2 - "
It was like a ticker-tape parade, when the last of the safe was blown away "
3. The Crane Wife 3 - "
And I will hang my head, hang my head low"
2. The Island - "
I'll take no gold miss, I'll take no silver, I'll take those sweet lips, and I will deliver!"
1. Sons and Daughters - "
We'll build our walls aluminum, we'll fill our mouths with cinnamon"
Alright that's more like it, ten replies, good enough for me. Even if you've never heard of these albums in your life, entertain me with a response and support the whole Best of 2006 effort. Coming up, the full recap, maybe a side-list, and my top 2 albums!