February 22, 201016 yr Hey, guys! Sorry I'm so late on this. I was meaning to do it sooner, but you know, life catches up with you sometimes. Before I start, I'm warning you now, my review is going to be a bit different from eveyone else's. The music I know is a bit different. There are things here that I'll talk about which many of you probably don't listen to, and there are things that I'm already aware that I'll leave out, simply because I don't know about them. A good example of this would be Arctic Monkey's debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." I don't know much about this band at all, as well as many others. I'll leave the filling in of spaces like this to the rest of you guys. Anyway, I'm going to get started on mine. I'm going to open with the following song: [ame= ] [/ame] "Inhuman Rampage"-Dragonforce For anyone who is a big Guitar Hero junkie like myself, you know that "Through the Fire and Flames" by Dragonforce is arguably the most well-known song from "Guitar Hero 3," as well as the most difficult. In 2006, Dragonforce released their third album, "Inhuman Rampage," which is where this song comes from. This isn't for people that don't like speed metal, but for those of you who do, go check it out. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FS8nG8SZEI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FS8nG8SZEI[/ame] "Lights and Sounds"-Yellowcard Although not nearly as good as "Ocean Avenue," (That is clearly their best album. Period.), "Lights and Sounds" is still pretty good for Yellowcard, a punk pop band from Florida. At any rate, it's better than "Paper Walls." They've been on hiatus for a good while now, and something tells me they're not coming back... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvS902DLEVI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvS902DLEVI[/ame] "The Life Pursuit"-Belle and Sebastian Belle and Sebastian have yet to release an album since this one, but this album is great. Chris helped act as a catalyst to check these guys out, and they're something I think more people should listen to. I showed the above song to my friend Erica, and she liked it a lot. I may convert her. BAHAHA. [ame= ] [/ame] "Eye to the Telescope"-KT Tunstall Although technically released earlier, this album made its release in my country (the U.S.) in 2006. KT Tunstall's debut is one of those things that makes me want to check out more female artists. "The Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" was one of the only songs on the radio at the time that I thoroughly enjoyed, and it's a fun song to play on "Band Hero." :dance: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVNK_VDQY8I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVNK_VDQY8I[/ame] "Corinne Bailey Rae"-Corinne Bailey Rae This British R & B singer brings something new to the music scene. I love this album; it has so many soul elements musically, and with it Corinne seems to put her own soul into it. "Call Me When You Get This" is a beautiful track. :heart: [ame= ] [/ame] "Foiled"-Blue October While their song "Hate Me" from this album has no doubt been highly overplayed (at least, it has here) on the radio, it's a pretty good album. This is a favorite of mine. If you like it, look more into it. This isn't for people that hate an abundance of depressing lyrics. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELkWIGOxPyk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELkWIGOxPyk[/ame] "Me and My Gang"-Rascal Flatts I normally don't bother with country music, but Rascal Flatts sounds less country than most, and they're actually pretty legit. I've also heard their most recent album, "Unstoppable," and they surprised me. I plan on looking more into them in the future. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaBNXKL8XlY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaBNXKL8XlY[/ame] "St. Elsewhere"-Gnarls Barkley This music duo is best described as neo-soul. They have huge soul and funk elements, yet have a distinctly modern sound. The above song is arguably one of the catchiest songs I've ever heard. I love musical acts that combine old with new. [ame= ] [/ame] "Under the Iron Sea"-Keane While I find their debut album "Hopes and Fears" to be their best, "Under the Iron Sea" is a very close second. The music from both albums is very beautiful. This song is particularly special to me; it's no doubt my favorite. Other good tracks include 'Nothing in My Way" and "Hamburg Song." (Not that they aren't all good, but you know. :P) [ame= ] [/ame] "Begin to Hope"-Regina Spektor This album is what got me into Regina in the first place. It's cheeky and funny in some songs, emotional in others, and some, to me, seem like a weird combination of both. Described by some as being "anti-folk," Regina is one of those artists that made me think about music in a different way. [ame= ] [/ame] "One-X"-Three Days Grace This Canadian rock band makes a step up from their debut with this release. OK, more like two. This is so much better. I had actually bought this one first, and after listening to the debut afterwards, was disappointed as to how lackluster the debut was compared to this one. [ame= ] [/ame] "Black Holes and Revelations"-Muse This is the main reason I was so happy to do 2006. Although I like a lot of their other work much more, this is the first album I bought of theirs and what started my Muse fandom, and because of that, this album holds a very special place in my heart. I played this album to death when first got it, and for good reason. It's quite beautiful in some places and very rockish in others. I love Muse in general, so I'm of course going to recommend to those who don't listen to them to go do so. /fangirl. :P [ame= ] [/ame] "The Sufferer & the Witness"-Rise Against For those of you who like punk rock, this is for you. Although there are times when I wish there was less harshness and screaming, this stuff is pretty good. I'm not really a punk person in general, but when I want it, I can always refer to this band. Thanks to Shane for forcing me to look into this. :P [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTaqNVQb0JQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTaqNVQb0JQ[/ame] "The Eraser"-Thom Yorke This is a wonderful solo attempt by the Radiohead frontman. I don't like it as much as Radiohead in itself, but I like it a lot, anyway. It makes very good background music for when you're doing something and want to have music to help you concentrate. [ame= ] [/ame] "Alright, Still"-Lily Allen Another artist that combines old with new. Her background music involves older elements, yet her lyrical content is something you might expect from today's time. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't find blatant lyrics about a guy's lack of size (as you do in "Not Big") in music back from the '50s or '60s. :laugh4: Despite the lyrical content at times, I find Lily Allen to be very cheeky. [ame= ] [/ame] "Food and Liquor"-Lupe Fiasco This is the debut of a fresh, young hip-hop guy who raps about more profound things than pimps and hoes. This is the first song I remember hearing, and I rather liked it. A lot. A few years later, I decided to finally look into him. It's good stuff. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k76IGLi6jWI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k76IGLi6jWI[/ame] "Straight Outta Lynwood"-Weird Al Yankovic While that music video is hardly conventional, and while I do not support the torment of animals of any sort (even in claymation), this song (and the others) off this album are hilarious. Some of you might be more familiar with his hit "White and Nerdy," which is of course my theme song. :P [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBYhQnjyrWo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBYhQnjyrWo[/ame] "The Open Door"-Evanescence I prefer "Fallen" to this album, but I still like Evanescence a lot. Amy Lee's voice is fantastic. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTrPfG6nTKs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTrPfG6nTKs[/ame] "Sam's Town"-The Killers I was turned off The Killers by this very album when it first came out. "Read My Mind" was ICK to me. However, after hearing bits of "Day & Age" (like "Spaceman"), I decided to give The Killers a second chance, this album included. I'm very glad I did. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DegIq21qW5U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DegIq21qW5U[/ame] "The Black Parade"-My Chemical Romance I know, I know. :P Don't tell me. This is by far their best album, though. This song in particular I find to be very moving, and although it's quite depressing, it's also very pretty and shows that MCR isn't all about heavy rock riffs that most people would expect. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzk09LOxszc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzk09LOxszc[/ame] "Awake"-Josh Groban Hooray for classical crossover artists! Josh Groban has remained a steadfast favorite for me ever since I first heard him. This album is experimental in some parts and is very good (even though I prefer "Closer," his previous album). His voice is gorgeous. :heart: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C7O9GUzYAU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C7O9GUzYAU[/ame] "Taylor Hicks"-Taylor Hicks OK, I confess. I did at one time watch "American Idol." Taylor Hicks, the winner of Season 5, is still my favorite AI contestant. Yes, I am a member of Soul Patrol. No, I don't care what you think; he is awesome. His post-AI debut is awesome. And now, in order to wrap this up, a bit of this: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXjZmBJF4nc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXjZmBJF4nc[/ame] After hearing them in concert Friday night, I had to include The King's Singers in my review. I couldn't leave them out. They are remarkable. In 2006, they had a couple of re-releases, as well as three new releases: "Spem in Alium," "The Quiet Heart: Choral Essays, Vol. 1," and "Landscape and Time," which includes the above track. (As a personal note, the second countertenor from the video has since retired and been replaced by a very viable substitute, and as I found out Friday, he is indeed amazing.) So anyway. There's my list. I know many things are missing, but it's not on purpose, I assure you. Feel free to add whatever you wish. :)
February 22, 201016 yr Author Thanks so much. :smug2: HAHAHAHA. Yes, "Weasel Stomping Day." Weird Al wrote that song to parody Christmas carols. :P
February 22, 201016 yr MuteMath - MuteMath [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQxleg-5UCs]YouTube- Mute Math - Reset[/ame] That is all.
February 22, 201016 yr HOWDY HO IT'S WEASEL STOMPING DAY!!!! A few of the "more obvious" ones I'd like to mention: The Decemberists - The Crane Wife [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbsHwuyfnnw]YouTube- The Decemberists - O Valencia[/ame] Eskimo Joe - Black Fingernails, Red Wine [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxlXVoaKbzw]YouTube- London Bombs - Eskimo Joe - Thebby 3.9.06[/ame] Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owD3d1S0LFg]YouTube- Phoenix - Long Distance Call[/ame] Snow Patrol - Eyes Open [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzbePMTfSak]YouTube- snow patrol make this go on forever & lyrics[/ame] Hard to pick a favorite album from this year, as there's a lot of good stuff but not one that jumps out as being a perfect work of art. Many of my favorite alternative bands (Muse, Keane, Snow Patrol, The Killers, etc.) released albums this year that were very solid but not their best.
February 22, 201016 yr One word.....EMPIRE [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCIVF3GSu-4]YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.[/ame]
February 22, 201016 yr Eskimo Joe - Black fingernails, red wine Evermore - Real Life The Frames - The Cost Gotye - Like Drawing Blood Yellow House - Grizzly Bear Razorlight- S/T The Swell Season - S/t
February 22, 201016 yr Author HOWDY HO IT'S WEASEL STOMPING DAY!!!! A few of the "more obvious" ones I'd like to mention: The Decemberists - The Crane Wife Eskimo Joe - Black Fingernails, Red Wine Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That Snow Patrol - Eyes Open YouTube- snow patrol make this go on forever & lyrics Hard to pick a favorite album from this year, as there's a lot of good stuff but not one that jumps out as being a perfect work of art. Many of my favorite alternative bands (Muse, Keane, Snow Patrol, The Killers, etc.) released albums this year that were very solid but not their best. "Put your viking helmet on. Spread that mayonnaise on the lawn!" :laugh4: Very informative addition. Thanks, Michael. :) I actually quite agree with you on that last bit, about the solid, yet not-as-good albums.
February 22, 201016 yr my favorite albums from 2006: 1. Love-The Beatles 2. The Eraser-Thom Yorke 3. Into the Blue Again-The Album Leaf 4. The Information-Beck 5. Modern Times-Bob Dylan 6. On an Island-David Gilmour 7. All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone-Explosions in the Sky 8. Knives Don't Have Your Back-Emily Haines 9. At War with the Mystics-The Flaming Lips 10. Friendly Fire-Sean Lennon 11. Yellow House-Grizzly Bear 12. Classics-Ratatat 14. The Swell Season-The Swell Season 15. Fur & Gold-Bat for Lashes Quite a great year for music!
February 22, 201016 yr Author OMG, how did I forget Bat for Lashes!? :facepalm: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EICkZWEzFGE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EICkZWEzFGE[/ame]
February 22, 201016 yr TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain (amazing album!) [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1-xRk6llh4]YouTube- TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me[/ame] Emily Haines [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq-jEHZ-EFc]YouTube- Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton - Dr. Blind[/ame]
February 22, 201016 yr Author ^^ TV on the Radio seems intriguing to me. 'Tisn't what I might've expected.
February 22, 201016 yr They are amazing. That album is definitely worth checking out. Plus David Bowie does backing on one of the tracks. :heart:
February 22, 201016 yr Author David Bowie creeps me out. :bigcry: That is, unless we're talking about his performace as Nikola Tesla in The Prestige, my favorite movie ever: :wacky:
February 22, 201016 yr [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR2L98gobTQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR2L98gobTQ[/ame]
February 22, 201016 yr MuteMath - MuteMath That is all.:shocked2::stunned::stunned::stunned:Holy Crap!!! That guy has a one of whatever it is I've been trying to make! :o Always been meaning to check them out...:thinking:
February 22, 201016 yr You should definitely check them out! :heart:But if they have one, it means someone's already made at least one and then it won't be entirely mine anymore even when I make it completely different. :disappointed: Do they have a name for it?
February 22, 201016 yr AND DID NO ONE MENTION STADIUM ARCADIUM? THEY SHOULD HAVE although it is slightly overrated Well, it's a lackluster RHCP effort in spite of a few great songs, so that may be why. Oh, I forgot about Grizzly Bear: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuYZbYtAl9A]YouTube- Grizzly Bear - Knife[/ame]
February 22, 201016 yr Has anyone mentioned this classic [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUGzWETn1HQ]YouTube- Arctic Monkeys A Certain Romance[/ame] Easily one of the songs of the decade.
February 23, 201016 yr They are amazing. That album is definitely worth checking out. Plus David Bowie does backing on one of the tracks. :heart: :wacky: I love them and Bowwieeee
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