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The 25 Albums I Enjoyed Most In 2006
I make such a peculiar title so I don't get the.. "that was released in 2005". I could give a ****, really.
25. Alexisonfire - Crisis
| Key Tunes: Mailbox Arson, This Could Be Anywhere In The World |
This Canadian band has seen their claim to fame escalate in the last year with 6 consecutive sold out shows just played last week in various venues across Toronto and their album selling an astonishing 20,000 copies in it's first week in Canada to debut at #1. Not bad for a bunch of screamo emo kids. The difference with this band is that they are able to utlilize Dallas Green's rather sensitive vocal range with George's thrashing screaming capabilities in order to generate a perfected fusion of screamo that is not irritating (like many other post-hardcore screamo MySpace bands), but rather refreshing. Such a dualing dynamic exists between the two lead vocals, it's fun to pick a side and listen along. Great stuff.
24. The Editors - The Back Room
| Key Tunes: Munich, Blood, All Sparks, Bullets |
Even though synth rock is totally 2005, The Editors were this years Bravery for me, being one of the last to capitalize on a somewhat dying trend (look at Kasabian's sophmore album sales), and do so in a rather convincing fashion. All of the necessities are there; huge choruses, a brooding Ian Curtis-like vocalist, and undeniably catchy synths that make you bop your feet and head in unison. "Munich" has one of the most monstrous opening synth-guitar riffs I've heard all year - it's such a good feeling to hear it. Bravo - shame we'll probably never hear from them again.
23. City & Color - Sometimes
| Key Tunes: Save Your Scissors, Hello I'm In Delaware, Like Knives |
Back to the Canadian talent. An important facet of Alexisonfire's charm is Dallas Green's sensitive and somber vocals in contrast to George's manical screams. Dallas takes his talents to a solo project he titled, City & Color. It is a rather impressive, simple offering of acoustic-based tracks with Green's vocals coming off rather impressionably. A valiant effort for a debut disc that is great to listen to on those long rides home on a rainy day in Canada (how emo is that).
22. Three Days Grace - One X
| Key Tunes: Animal I Have Become, One X, Let It Die |
Woo Canada, so much good music here now. I can really appreciate how 3DG have become official modern rock staples in North America with the success of "Animal I Have Become" and "Pain" this past year. There is nothing truly unique or special about their sound. They take big guitars, big drums, absolutely enormous vocals, and combine them into monstrous choruses with incredible lead ins that leave you rocking with whichever genitalia you see fit. A solid effort from start to finish.
21. Dixie Chicks - Taking The Long Way
| Key Tunes: Not Ready To Make Nice, Bitter End, Lubbock or Leave It |
The most talked about album of the year which recently received a throng of much deserved Grammy nominations. These chicks face a lot of unnecessary adversity and obstacles, which admirably never seem to phase them. If anything, the trials and turbulations they've had to overcome only seem to strengthen their songwriting and musical capabilities. This is completely evident in the album's blowout number, Not Ready To Make Nice, where Natalie Mains chants in a haunting and breathtaking demeanor;
Made my bed and I sleep like a baby with no regrets and I don't mind saying, it's a sad sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she oughta hate a perfect stranger. And how in the hell can the words that I say, send somebody so over the edge that they'd write me a letter, saying that I better shut up and sing or my life will be over - and cue some phenomenal instrumentals, and you have a knockout. Brilliant album.