Review: Archie Bronson Outfit - Derdang Derdang

This British trio thankfully diverges from the brit-pop formula by crafting a well honed rock sound with a hint of the blues. With their opening song, "Cherry Lips", they set a driving, moody tone for the rest of the album.

If you like Kings of Leon, Sons & Daughters, or the Dirtbombs give these guys a spin.

Review: Fratellis - Costello Music

I have to thank Steve Jobs on this one. Apple used one of the Fratellis songs ("Flathead") on a recent iPod commercial. I tracked down an import of their album (which has since been released stateside) and silently cursed Mr Jobs since I liked the CD.

This Scottish trio plays energentic, indie rock that I often associate with British bands. Listening to Costello Music makes me want to play it loud in a convertible on a summer day. They play in the same sandbox as the Arctic Monkeys or the Kooks and I bet would be great to see live.

Concert Review: the 88 with the Oohlas

I had to drag my butt to the west side's Key Club on Sunset Blvd for this show (on a Tuesday no less).

The Oohlas opened up the show. Fronted by the red-haired Ollie Stone, the band delivered some catchy power-pop/rock that reminded me of Belly. Good stuff.

The 88 came out in dress shirts and ties. Much like their wardrobe, the 88 are tight and well put together. Their music strays from the straight rock path always veering someplace interesting. I had never heard there music before and yet the craftsmanship in the songs made them feel instantly likable. They delivered a power pop/rock show that made me glad I ventured out to the Strip. They closed their encore with a spot-on rocking version of David Bowie's Suffragette City.

Bravo boys, bravo.

Album Review: Yosi - What's Eating Yosi?

Yosi's fourth album, What's Eating Yosi? Is all about food. On the first listen, I immediately drew parallels in my mind to Raffi or Ralph Covert (Ralph's World) since each song seems to be in a different style (Rock, Reggae, Barbershop, etc.) Yosi is obviously a talented musician. There was something about the songs that seemed sillier than Ralphs' World -- which is a feat since RW can be quite silly. "Chicken Noodle Soup" seems to be the kid dance favorite.

Album Review: New Orleans Playground

A wonderfully joyous dixieland compilation featuring Fats domino, Dr. John, The Meters, Buckweat Zydeco, and many more. It is hard to stand still for Clifton Chenier's version of "Choo Choo Ch'boogie". Fats Domino's "Whole Lotta Lovin" is another great dance tune. Hack Bartholomew finishes off the album with "When The Saints Go Marching In". A grown-up CD that kids will enjoy also.

Album Review: Toucan Jam - A World of Music

A musical duo that makes some of the most interesting kids music I've heard in a while. Their musical style ranges from Squirrel Nut Zippers to Folk to World. Many songs feel more like musical stories than verse-verse-chorus songs.

My favorite track: "Hey Mom!" reminds me of Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Dex's Favorites: "Cock-a-Diddly Doo!", "Snowy Fall's Cat"

Album Review: Justin Roberts - Meltdown!

Justin Roberts has been making kids music for a long time and it shows. He knows how to have a good time. His songs are catchy and well written pop songs that kids can relate to and grown-ups won't mind listening to.

Standouts include "I Chalk", "Get Me Some Glasses", and "Meltdown".

Best Music 2006 - Doug McLaughlin

ok, finally getting off my ass and creating the list.

Chill
The clientele - Strange Geometry
M. Ward - Post War
Midlake
Sparklehorse - Dreamt for...
Astronautilus - The mighty ocean...
Built to Spill - You in Reverse

Rawk
The Sword - Age of Winters
These Arms are Snakes - This Is Meant to Hurt You
Cursive - Happy Hollow
Harlem Shakes - Ep's
Mission of Burma- the obliterati
Erase Errata - Nightlife

Beats
Any Good Dupstep- The latest techno import from england. find
good downloads and podcasts of this bass heavy stuff (an aquired taste)
Beck - The Information
The Coup - Pick a Bigger Weapon
Herbert - Scale
Damian Marley - Welcome to Jamrock
Brazilian Girls - Talk to la Bomb
Bugz in the Attic - Back in the doghouse

Drone
Boris - Pink
the Black Angels - Passover
Darker My Love
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Asobi Seksu

Random
Seu Jorge - Cru
Amadou and Miriam
TV on the Radio - Cookie Mountain
Tom Waits - Brawlers, Baulers...

Discoveries from yesterday
My Old Record Collection in General
Mark Bolan and TRex - yeah, it took me 36years and Jenny's record collection.
John Lennon - Shaved Fish
Los Mutantes
Syd Barrett
Buddy Guy and Junior Wells - Hoodoo Voodoo Man
Neil Young


douglas mclaughlin • ephemerist
http://stinksgood.blogspot.com/

Best Music 2006 - Adam Chrystie

Group - Album

Mediaeval Baebes - Mirabilis (Mediaeval Music)

The Go Fly - Maimo (rock)

Brazillian Girls - Brazillian Girls (house/pop)

Basement Jaxx (house/pop)

Gary Numan - Pure (Goth/Industrial)

Best Music 2006 - Jeremy Zitter

In No Particular Order:

Silversun Pickups: Carnavas

Band of Horses: Everything all the Time

Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Jolie Holland: Springtime Can Kill You

Devics: Push the Heart

Midlake: The Trials of Van Occupanther

The Decembrists: The Crane Wife

Cat Power: The Greatest

Sunset Rubdown: Shut Up I Am Dreaming

Camera Obscura: Let's Get Out of This Country

Other Things I Liked: The Submarines: Declare a New State, Fiery Furnaces: Bitter Tea, Ferraby Lionheart: EP, Sea Wolf: Untitled/Unreleased, Adem: Love and Other Planets, The Concretes: In Colour, Under Byen: Samme Stof Som Stof, Sebastien Schuller: Happiness

Best Music 2006 - Michael Schwartz

• The Fiery Furnaces - Bitter Tea
• The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
• Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
• Thom Yorke - Eraser
• Comets On Fire - Avatar
• Deerhoof - The Runners Four
• Nellie Mckay - Pretty Little Head
• The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers
• Aphex Twin - Chosen Lords
• Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics
  
• My Morning Jacket - Z
• Sufjan Stevens - Ilinoise
• Clap You Hands And Say Yeah - Clap You Hand And Say Yeah

Best Music 2006 - Chris Poehlmann

my current favs are:

Cat Power -- The Greatest, + older stuff like You are Free and Moon Pix. This is a great stand in for the hole left when Mazzy Star ended.

Dub, Dub and more dub thanks to internet radio.

the song Shanty Town by Mr. Scruff off Keep it Unreal

stereolab -- switched on

Tonya Donelly -- This hungry life

Herb Alpert -- Whipped Cream + Other Delites Re-whipped

cp

Best Music 2006 - Tim Grierson

Happy New Year everybody,

Here's my list -- in order, kinda.

Neko Case, "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood"
Band of Horses, "Everything All The Time"
The Coup, "Pick a Bigger Weapon"
Sonic Youth, "Rather Ripped"
Yo La Tengo, "I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will
Beat Your Ass"
The Hold Steady, "Boys And Girls In America"
The Decemberists, "The Crane Wife"
J Dilla, "Donuts"
J Dilla, "The Shining"
Todd Snider, "The Devil You Know"
Beck, "The Information"
Drive-By Truckers, "A Blessing And A Curse"
Destroyer, "Destroyer's Rubies"
The Roots, "Game Theory"
The Streets, "The Hardest Way To Make An Easy
Living"
Pernice Brothers, "Live a Little"
Ghostface Killah, "Fishscale"
Camera Obscura, "Let's Get Out Of This Country"
Dixie Chicks, "Taking The Long Way"
Bob Dylan, "Modern Times"

Tim

Best Music 2006 - Bryan Waterman

13 from 2006

13. Tagaki Masakatsu, Journal for People

12. Grizzly Bear, Yellow House

11. Radio Citizen, Berlin Serengeti

10. Vetiver, To Find Me Gone

9. Devics, Push the Heart

8. Silversun Pickups, Carnavas

7. Mountains, Sewn

6. Lambchop, Damaged

5. Bonnie "Prince" Billy, The Letting Go

4. Destroyer, Destroyer's Rubies

3. His Name Is Alive, Detrola

2. Final Fantasy, He Poos Clouds

1. Joanna Newsom, Ys

for commentary and links go to http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1094

Happy New Year! bw

Best Music 2006 - Chris Jess

OK, OK, here I go:

Super long list of bestest music by Chris:

And yes, after a year of remodeling this is pretty much all the music I could come up with.

Best (and only) albums:

1. Dashboard Confessional - Dusk And Summer
Yes I know, it's the going-away fad of Screamo, but Chris Carrabba is actually pretty good (you know, it's all a question of taste...)
2. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
I actually first heard about these guys as part of a music video segment on a flight back from Germany. Fun album.

Most dissapointing album:
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Absolutely LOVED their first album. The single releases Hands Open & Chasing Cars were promising, but the album blew. Very slow & repetitive and just getting slower as the album progresses. The producer did a good job, as this album is clearly set up to convince those listening into the first 3-4 tracks in the store, but not the whole thing.

Due to the shortness of my list, here are two songs I'd like to mention:

1. Chris Cornell - You Know My Name (theme song from Casino Royale)
You go Chris! solid rock song but definatley a Bond song. It' nice to hear that after the whole Madonna let-down.
2. Bosse - Die Irritierten
I want this CD. Haven't been able to get it yet.

Chris =)

Best Music 2006 - Dan Toloudis

Here's some stuff I listened to and remembered in 2006.

Artist, Song(Album)

1. Mardo, Bombs Over Broadway (The New Gun) [retro hard rock. these guys just rock out. they have a myspace page with 4 tracks.]

2. Wolfmother, Woman (Wolfmother) [heavy psychedelic rock. kinda sludgy / sabbathy but happier. also have a myspace page ]

3. Blue October, Drilled a Wire Through My Cheek (Foiled) [modern rock.
disparate, eclectic, accessible thru a couple of pop hits but musically deeper than that. Also check out album "History For Sale"]

4. Gill Landry, Loneliness (The Ballad of Lawless Soirez) [absolutely miserable blues, the best kind!]

5. Hot Tuna, I Know You Rider (live in NYC 11/26/06) [ I saw these old guys play in New York for Thanksgiving. Electric and acoustic blues band spawned from Jefferson Airplane ]

6. Genesis, The Knife (Trespass) [ early 70's progressive rock. One of their heavier/faster/intenser songs. I just think people should check this out. ]

7. Umphrey's McGee, Women Wine and Song (Safety In Numbers) [ Phish-style hippie jam band, these guys are great. this song is just an example. listen to everything ]

In 2006 a good friend inspired me to learn about the Grateful Dead. I'll end with some picks for a sampling of G.D. songs I think people should hear.

8. The Grateful Dead, Franklin's Tower (on Blues For Allah) 9. The Grateful Dead, St. Stephen (on Aoxomoxoa) 10. The Grateful Dead, Dark Star (on Live Dead and many other live
performances)

Their best studio stuff, in my opinion:
-- The Grateful Dead, American Beauty (*whole album) [e.g. Sugar Magnolia, Ripple, Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, etc.]
-- The Grateful Dead, Workingman's Dead (*whole album) [e.g. Uncle John's Band, Dire Wolf, Casey Jones, Cumberland Blues, etc.]

Best Music 2006 - Juan Devis

here's the list...

nuevos ricos - and indie label from latin america
conector - hector buitrago
x - los angeles
the brat amp fiddler - waltz of a ghetto fly
los abandoned - mix tape
squarepusher - hello everything
panorama - panorama

they are not all recorded last year... but i listened to them all the time....
abrazos,
juan

Best Music 2006 - Lynn Roof

Here's mine - happy new year to you!! There's been some great music out this year. Here's some of my favorites, old and new:

Sean Watkins (guitarist for Nickel Creek) - he released a solo album this year which has one of my favorite songs on it, called "Hello..........Goodbye". It's so bittersweet - it's about 60 seconds long, and in a nutshell, he meets a girl after a show, they get married in his head, and then she says goodbye. It's wonderful. I've seen him play it live many times, and it never loses its sweetness.

Tin Hat Trio - I heard them on Morning Becomes Eclectic for the first time this year. I picked up Book of Silk, and absolutely adore it. They're hard to define, but jazz is the closest you can probably get with generic labels.

Finn Brothers - they released their 2nd album, Everyone is Here, and they're just as good together now as when they were in Split Enz back in the 70's.

People in Planes - I loved the song "If You Talk Too Much My Head Will Explode" so much, I got the album. Which was a great purchase.

Decemberists - they continue to be one of my favorites. I saw them at the Wiltern, promoting The Crane Wife - what an amazing show. The album is SO GOOD.

Oh My by Mellowdrone - this was my "summer" song. It's a great one to listen to while driving, and when my friend Arlene was here this summer for a visit, we must have heard it 5 times over the one weekend. So, it says summer fun to me.

Los Angeles by Wired All Wrong - a rock anthem song that's great to sing at the top of your lungs while stuck in traffic. "Los Angeles...needs a revolution!!"

I can't wait to hear everyone else's picks!

Best Music 2006 - Eric Porter

Dear Robert,

David Crane forwarded me a message about your list, and I'd like to contribute. Here are 10 albums I enjoyed listening to this year.

Jeanne Lee, Natural Affinities

Manu Chao, Clandestino

Seu Jorge, The Life Aquatic

Talk to Her soundtrack

Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, Live at Willisau

Francisco Aguabella, Ochimini

Maxwell, Now

Miles Davis, Ascenseur Pour L'echafaud

Randy Weston, African Sunrise

Mary J Blige, The Breakthrough (I actually just got this today, but it's making a big impression as I write this)

Look forward to seeing the new list. Thanks for doing this. Best to Tara.

Eric Porter

Best Music 2006 - Alex Sokoloff

My Years Best Albums.

Plastic Garden, Michele Moreno.

A fantastic debut CD. A local LA artist that mixes pop and world influences with beautiful vocals and meaningful lyrics. Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/michelemoreno - you won't be disappointed. Support local indie artists!!!

Also:

St. Elsewhere, Gnarls Barkley

Modern Times, Dylan

At War with the Mystics, Flaming Lips

The Garden, Zero7

Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Neko Case

Veneer, Jose Gonzalez

How We Operate, Gomez