Share
TOP 25 NON-METAL ALBUMS OF 2006... THE SUFFERING!!! IT'S OVER!!!
1 Feb 2007, 03:17
al hy;lafg;ldaf g;ladhf gladhf glkh d
alright... No introduction, let's just do this thing (the reviews/snippets about each album are going to be shorter or from previous writings, as I figure that's better than simply never getting this done).
25. Rise Against – The Sufferer and The Witness

Why?: Like Punk? Like powerful choruses and mob chants that you can chant along to while opening the car windows? Then this is an album you'll enjoy.
24. Headlights - Kill Them With Kindness

Why?: Great indie pop with female and male vocals.
23. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium

Why?: Sure not every song is a smashing success. But A. It's the Chili Peppers and B. Most of the songs are still great. And that's fairly incredible for a 2 CD album.
22. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped

Why?: This is my first real experience with Sonic Youth (thank you Jacob), and it is quite an enjoyable one. Big highlights here are the insanely catchy guitar hooks on some of the opening tracks and the later tracks on the album, which are a little more moody and experiemental.
21. Underoath – Define the Great Line

Why?: By far my favorite Underoath album. Here they write some intense and passionate melodic hardcore tunes that impress throughout.
20. Red Sparowes – Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun

Why?: A post-rock record based on the "Great Leap Forward." You wouldn't think instrumental music could make me think so much about specific events but, along with the aid of their gargantuan songtitles, Red Sparowes honestly know how to tell a story.
19. The Flaming Lips – At War With the Mystics

Why?: Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah, AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH aaahhhh AHHH ahhh uh aaaah ahhhhhhh. :-)
and the rest of the album is also great.
18. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere

Why?: Hip Hop I love. And not just Crazy either.
17. Fear Before the March of Flames – The Always Open Mouth

Why?: This album really surprised me. I had bought Art Damage only a few weeks before this, and didn't like it one bit... However, this is some brooding... apocalyptic post-hardcore.
16. Brand New – The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me

Why?: Another surprise. My initial impressions of Brand New were completely changed by this album. It's again, a very dark and mature album. The song's "Jesus" and "The Archers Bows Have Broken" are particularly amazing.
15. Colour Revolt – Colour Revolt EP

Why?: Gritty, almost Southern hard rock/indie. They put on a great live show that translates well to this short, but rewarding disc.
14. Johnny Cash – American V: A Hundred Highways

Why?: Thouh American IV will always hold a special place in my heart as the greatest American recording, this is still Johnny. And it's still everything that made him a man of music, unabashedly selling his soul on every.single.song.
13. Billy Talent - Billy Talent II

Why?: If you know me, you know my obsession with well done pop-punk. Billy Talent does pop-punk well, and part of that is due to the inclusion of Ben Kowalewicz's impressive/unique vocal stylings, and the participation of the entire band in the vocals department.
12. Alexisonfire – Crisis

Why?: I love Alexisonfire. Another shining example of memorability and high energy in a punk/hardcore laden package. If you also love AOF, have you check out Dallas Green's solo project, City & Colour? Because you really, reallly should. It's in the acoustic, singer-songwriter department, and he seriously floors me.
11. Envy – Insomniac Doze

Why?: Japanese post-rock/screamo. It's a little repetetive, especially the vocals... But that is all redeemed by the springs of inspiration that erupt throughout the album, and then return to serenity.
10. Joanna Newsom – Ys

Why?: Though not quite the faultless masterpiece it's sometimes made out to be, this is surely one of 2006's best albums and provides a brilliant and whimsical voyage to ages long past. The arrangements truly are stellar, and there are those small, almost epic moments and lyrics in certain parts that just get me. The end of Cosmia, in particular, is one of the most grand and awe-inspiring moments I've ever experienced in music. My only complaint is that some of the vocal melodies start sounding samey to me, lacking that extra bit of variety I desire in a perfect musical experience.
Still, this is a glorious album.
09. The Dear Hunter – Act I: The Lake South, The River North

Why?: Are you a fan of horns, strings, and all sorts of layered instruments, lush arrangements, resplendant vocal harmonies? If you look at my charts you know I'm a fan of this sort of thing (Sufjan, Anathallo, etc.). As mastermind of The Dear Hunter, Casey Crescenzo pulls out all the stops, creating a short, yet brilliant album that does the whole "indie rock symphony" thing in a very original way.
08. Man Man – Six Demon Bag

Why?: A truly crazy musical journey that has you tapping your toes one minute, then howling like a wild animal the next... and then both. For me it strikes some insane balance between old-timey, vaudville type landscapes, and just.... weirdness. I am still pissed I haven't seen these guys yet *slaps self in face*.
07. Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds

Why?: While not quite as upfront and creative with his string arrangements as he was in his first album... Owen Pallett's newest Final Fantasy album is a bit more haunting and mysterious. And personally, I think it's just a tad better in the songwriting department as well.
06. Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche

Why?: Yes we all know the story. "It's just like Illinois," "It's not as good," "I like it but he's just doing the same thing again." Yeah, who cares. It's still Sufjan, and the man has yet to do something I honestly don't at least really, really, really like.
05. My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade

Why?: Why are so many seemingly against music for entertainment. This album is ridiculous, grand and over-dramatic... and I love it for those qualities. My Chemical Romance are not the greatest artists on the face of the earth. But they are exemplorary entertainers. This is musical entertainment at its finest.
04. The Mars Volta – Amputechture

Why?: This is the best tMV album I've yet heard. It's psychadelic, but not totally incoherant. It's experimental, but doesnt' meander too much. It has a good balance of crazy/spastic songs and laid back ones. The big highlight, however, is their horn and sax usage. So many instrumental moments, particularly those involving those instruments, remind me of King Crimson.
03. The Format – Dog Problems

Why?: Yet another "Indie goes marching band" category canidate. This album is both entertaining and honest... Not excessively deep, but a cut above your avergage break-up record in terms of lyrical quality.
02. mewithoutYou – Brother, Sister

Why?: Simply put, a spiritually moving experience. I'm not going to explain this album, if you haven't heard it. Do.
01. Anathallo - Floating World

Why?: "Anathallo are one of a kind, and Floating World is a masterpiece. Balancing between the lush instrumental usage of Sufjan Stevens (again, you know I love this stuff), and adding in some serious atmosphere and depth, Floating World is an incredible album that must be listened to as a whole. Anathallo uses horns, chains, drumsticks, and various other instruments to portray some absolutely beautiful and unique music. Part of the album, Hanasakajiji (I-IV) follows an old Japanese folktale called "Grandfather Cherry Blossom." In addition to that section of the album, there's a lot of Japanese folklore and poetry thrown in, not to mention the album cover, which is an intricate Japanese art cutout. The album doesn’t necessarily have individual catchy songs but is, rather, set up like an actual, large composition of music, making Anathallo more of a progressive band than a rock or pop outfit. This is one of my favorite albums from the past few years, and I believe I could listen to it an indefinite amount of times and love it ever more."
honorable mentions
Cursive - Happy Hollow
Why?: First few songs: Amazing. The rest just isn't up to the impossibly high bar set on The Ugly Organ.
Cold War Kids - You know what. The more I listen to this album, the more I appreciate its more laid back, bluesy side.
Damien Rice - 9
Why?: Again, the beginning is beautiful. Some of the female/male harmonies give me chills, as well as the string arrangements. But he gets a little tedious after the 4th track.
Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist
Why?: I was never the biggest deftones fan, but I really enjoy this album. A few of the songs just don't do much for me, but ones like "Hole in the Earth," "Cherry Waves," and "Rats! Rats! Rats!" hit the spot.
Gatsby's American Dream - Gatsbys American Dream
Why?: Their back with their fun, literary referencing, pop-punkish tendencies. It's a good album, but not quite as good as Volcano, imo. Also, what's up with dropping the apostrophe in "GatsbYS" eh? I thought you guys were readers.
Gomez - How We Operate
Why?: A really nice set of alt-country tinged pop songs. And their from Europe? Interesting.
Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
Why?: So nice.... so dreamy.....
John Mayer - Continuum
Why?: Despite his ill-fated attempt at making poignant political statements, Mr. Mayer's newest had me impressed. A few songs should've been cut near the end, however... Although I do enjoy the last track.
Joshua Radin - We Were Hear
Why?: Have you listened to the song "Sundrenched World?" Well, you should. url=http://www.last.fm/user/modernpilgrim/]Adam can attest that you haven't truly fallen asleep if you haven't done it after listening to that song.
Malajube - Trompe-l'oeil
Why?: Ceci est la musique qui me fait heureux.
Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther
Why? Reminds me of some great pop music from years before I was born. Quite enjoyable, though some of the songs lag a tad in quality.
Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
Why?: Muse is a band that will impress me with a handful of songs on an album, but never causes me to truly appreciate their albums as full works. This is no exception... But they're getting closer.
Alright, that's it. I'll admit I got lazy with this one, but let's face it... None of us want to read that crap anyway. And let me assure you, despite my negligence for detail, this was an AMAZING year for music.... overwhelmingly so. I started out with about 50 albums that I thought could all be contenders, and had a really hard time narrowing this all down. Please let me know what I missed, and why you think I'm a moron :-)
alright... No introduction, let's just do this thing (the reviews/snippets about each album are going to be shorter or from previous writings, as I figure that's better than simply never getting this done).
25. Rise Against – The Sufferer and The Witness
Why?: Like Punk? Like powerful choruses and mob chants that you can chant along to while opening the car windows? Then this is an album you'll enjoy.
24. Headlights - Kill Them With Kindness
Why?: Great indie pop with female and male vocals.
23. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium
Why?: Sure not every song is a smashing success. But A. It's the Chili Peppers and B. Most of the songs are still great. And that's fairly incredible for a 2 CD album.
22. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Why?: This is my first real experience with Sonic Youth (thank you Jacob), and it is quite an enjoyable one. Big highlights here are the insanely catchy guitar hooks on some of the opening tracks and the later tracks on the album, which are a little more moody and experiemental.
21. Underoath – Define the Great Line
Why?: By far my favorite Underoath album. Here they write some intense and passionate melodic hardcore tunes that impress throughout.
20. Red Sparowes – Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
Why?: A post-rock record based on the "Great Leap Forward." You wouldn't think instrumental music could make me think so much about specific events but, along with the aid of their gargantuan songtitles, Red Sparowes honestly know how to tell a story.
19. The Flaming Lips – At War With the Mystics
Why?: Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah, AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH aaahhhh AHHH ahhh uh aaaah ahhhhhhh. :-)
and the rest of the album is also great.
18. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere
Why?: Hip Hop I love. And not just Crazy either.
17. Fear Before the March of Flames – The Always Open Mouth
Why?: This album really surprised me. I had bought Art Damage only a few weeks before this, and didn't like it one bit... However, this is some brooding... apocalyptic post-hardcore.
16. Brand New – The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
Why?: Another surprise. My initial impressions of Brand New were completely changed by this album. It's again, a very dark and mature album. The song's "Jesus" and "The Archers Bows Have Broken" are particularly amazing.
15. Colour Revolt – Colour Revolt EP

Why?: Gritty, almost Southern hard rock/indie. They put on a great live show that translates well to this short, but rewarding disc.
14. Johnny Cash – American V: A Hundred Highways
Why?: Thouh American IV will always hold a special place in my heart as the greatest American recording, this is still Johnny. And it's still everything that made him a man of music, unabashedly selling his soul on every.single.song.
13. Billy Talent - Billy Talent II
Why?: If you know me, you know my obsession with well done pop-punk. Billy Talent does pop-punk well, and part of that is due to the inclusion of Ben Kowalewicz's impressive/unique vocal stylings, and the participation of the entire band in the vocals department.
12. Alexisonfire – Crisis
Why?: I love Alexisonfire. Another shining example of memorability and high energy in a punk/hardcore laden package. If you also love AOF, have you check out Dallas Green's solo project, City & Colour? Because you really, reallly should. It's in the acoustic, singer-songwriter department, and he seriously floors me.
11. Envy – Insomniac Doze

Why?: Japanese post-rock/screamo. It's a little repetetive, especially the vocals... But that is all redeemed by the springs of inspiration that erupt throughout the album, and then return to serenity.
10. Joanna Newsom – Ys
Why?: Though not quite the faultless masterpiece it's sometimes made out to be, this is surely one of 2006's best albums and provides a brilliant and whimsical voyage to ages long past. The arrangements truly are stellar, and there are those small, almost epic moments and lyrics in certain parts that just get me. The end of Cosmia, in particular, is one of the most grand and awe-inspiring moments I've ever experienced in music. My only complaint is that some of the vocal melodies start sounding samey to me, lacking that extra bit of variety I desire in a perfect musical experience.
Still, this is a glorious album.
09. The Dear Hunter – Act I: The Lake South, The River North

Why?: Are you a fan of horns, strings, and all sorts of layered instruments, lush arrangements, resplendant vocal harmonies? If you look at my charts you know I'm a fan of this sort of thing (Sufjan, Anathallo, etc.). As mastermind of The Dear Hunter, Casey Crescenzo pulls out all the stops, creating a short, yet brilliant album that does the whole "indie rock symphony" thing in a very original way.
08. Man Man – Six Demon Bag
Why?: A truly crazy musical journey that has you tapping your toes one minute, then howling like a wild animal the next... and then both. For me it strikes some insane balance between old-timey, vaudville type landscapes, and just.... weirdness. I am still pissed I haven't seen these guys yet *slaps self in face*.
07. Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds
Why?: While not quite as upfront and creative with his string arrangements as he was in his first album... Owen Pallett's newest Final Fantasy album is a bit more haunting and mysterious. And personally, I think it's just a tad better in the songwriting department as well.
06. Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche
Why?: Yes we all know the story. "It's just like Illinois," "It's not as good," "I like it but he's just doing the same thing again." Yeah, who cares. It's still Sufjan, and the man has yet to do something I honestly don't at least really, really, really like.
05. My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade
Why?: Why are so many seemingly against music for entertainment. This album is ridiculous, grand and over-dramatic... and I love it for those qualities. My Chemical Romance are not the greatest artists on the face of the earth. But they are exemplorary entertainers. This is musical entertainment at its finest.
04. The Mars Volta – Amputechture
Why?: This is the best tMV album I've yet heard. It's psychadelic, but not totally incoherant. It's experimental, but doesnt' meander too much. It has a good balance of crazy/spastic songs and laid back ones. The big highlight, however, is their horn and sax usage. So many instrumental moments, particularly those involving those instruments, remind me of King Crimson.
03. The Format – Dog Problems

Why?: Yet another "Indie goes marching band" category canidate. This album is both entertaining and honest... Not excessively deep, but a cut above your avergage break-up record in terms of lyrical quality.
02. mewithoutYou – Brother, Sister
Why?: Simply put, a spiritually moving experience. I'm not going to explain this album, if you haven't heard it. Do.
01. Anathallo - Floating World
Why?: "Anathallo are one of a kind, and Floating World is a masterpiece. Balancing between the lush instrumental usage of Sufjan Stevens (again, you know I love this stuff), and adding in some serious atmosphere and depth, Floating World is an incredible album that must be listened to as a whole. Anathallo uses horns, chains, drumsticks, and various other instruments to portray some absolutely beautiful and unique music. Part of the album, Hanasakajiji (I-IV) follows an old Japanese folktale called "Grandfather Cherry Blossom." In addition to that section of the album, there's a lot of Japanese folklore and poetry thrown in, not to mention the album cover, which is an intricate Japanese art cutout. The album doesn’t necessarily have individual catchy songs but is, rather, set up like an actual, large composition of music, making Anathallo more of a progressive band than a rock or pop outfit. This is one of my favorite albums from the past few years, and I believe I could listen to it an indefinite amount of times and love it ever more."
honorable mentions
Cursive - Happy Hollow
Why?: First few songs: Amazing. The rest just isn't up to the impossibly high bar set on The Ugly Organ.
Cold War Kids - You know what. The more I listen to this album, the more I appreciate its more laid back, bluesy side.
Damien Rice - 9
Why?: Again, the beginning is beautiful. Some of the female/male harmonies give me chills, as well as the string arrangements. But he gets a little tedious after the 4th track.
Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist
Why?: I was never the biggest deftones fan, but I really enjoy this album. A few of the songs just don't do much for me, but ones like "Hole in the Earth," "Cherry Waves," and "Rats! Rats! Rats!" hit the spot.
Gatsby's American Dream - Gatsbys American Dream
Why?: Their back with their fun, literary referencing, pop-punkish tendencies. It's a good album, but not quite as good as Volcano, imo. Also, what's up with dropping the apostrophe in "GatsbYS" eh? I thought you guys were readers.
Gomez - How We Operate
Why?: A really nice set of alt-country tinged pop songs. And their from Europe? Interesting.
Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
Why?: So nice.... so dreamy.....
John Mayer - Continuum
Why?: Despite his ill-fated attempt at making poignant political statements, Mr. Mayer's newest had me impressed. A few songs should've been cut near the end, however... Although I do enjoy the last track.
Joshua Radin - We Were Hear
Why?: Have you listened to the song "Sundrenched World?" Well, you should. url=http://www.last.fm/user/modernpilgrim/]Adam can attest that you haven't truly fallen asleep if you haven't done it after listening to that song.
Malajube - Trompe-l'oeil
Why?: Ceci est la musique qui me fait heureux.
Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther
Why? Reminds me of some great pop music from years before I was born. Quite enjoyable, though some of the songs lag a tad in quality.
Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
Why?: Muse is a band that will impress me with a handful of songs on an album, but never causes me to truly appreciate their albums as full works. This is no exception... But they're getting closer.
Alright, that's it. I'll admit I got lazy with this one, but let's face it... None of us want to read that crap anyway. And let me assure you, despite my negligence for detail, this was an AMAZING year for music.... overwhelmingly so. I started out with about 50 albums that I thought could all be contenders, and had a really hard time narrowing this all down. Please let me know what I missed, and why you think I'm a moron :-)









