okay, i'll start... I really dug the Prince single "Lolita". Had it for months and still enjoy it every time it pops up on the ipod. Can't help but feel it was overlooked this year. Maybe after the superbowl it'll get some attention.
One of the best things i discovered this year was the Rappers Delight Club
No one loves the Sparks album that came out in March as much as I do (except maybe Jared). I haven't seen it on a single best-of list.
Ditto for Snowglobe's Oxytocin, which was probably my favorite album this year.
I think this was the best season of "That's So Raven" yet.
Best albums of 2006 -
Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit - Just when I thought they had fallen off the come back with the best thing they've done since If You're Feeling Sinister.
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale - Ghostface can spit a crime narrative as long as War and Peace and do it in less than five minutes. By the time I figure out what the fuck he just said, he's moved on. The track that samples "Family Affair" is bangin.
Wignomy Bros. - 12" singles -This Berliner duo continued to produce the best in "minimal" techno - funky, organic, and soulful.
Yo La Tengo - I'm Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass - Much better than their last album. Not afraid to start and end the album with beautiful 10 minute noise jams. They are indeed not afraid to try much of anything and continue to branch out into new styles like beach music and Motown disco.
Califone - Roots and Crowns - I can't believe more people aren't talking about this record. These are well written songs for a somewhat experimental band like Califone. Gently plucked guitars and fiddles while strange distorted noises reverberate in the background. They also cover one of my favorite Psychic TV songs. This is a beautiful somewhat sad sunday afternoon type album.
Girl Talk - Night Ripper- I don't know how well this will hold up in 5 years but its damn fun to listen to now. A long seris of mashed up hooks that puts Three 6 Mafia rapping over Smashing Pumpkins and turns Neutral Milk Hotel into big booty bass. The party album of the year.
Harvey Milk - Special Wishes- Slow burning graceful fury. Always heavy, sometimes suprisingly beatiful on side 3. A couple of songs have a classic rock sound even. I unwrapped this and put on a brand new record needle, listened to it on headphones and was washed away. If church was like this I might go.
Drive By Truckers - Blessing and a Curse - Somewhere between the Replacements and those sad 4 am. George Jones songs. Better than their last album for sure. I almost cried the first time I really listened to Space City and I'm jaded as hell. The perfect soundtrack for the leftover industrial south during the W. years. Depressing.
I forgot -
Cat Power - The Greatist - The Dusty in Memphis of our time.
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
They might be the coolest guys in the universe.
I second "Special Wishes" . . .
Man... I feel so out of touch... I didn't even realize Belle and Sebastian released a new album this year.
According to Allmusic, it was way back in February. How'd I miss that?
It's the best thing they've done in a long while.
Best movies so far? The Fountain and Superman Returns. Fascinating, emotional, optimistic films that have something to say beyond just plot. See, popular art can be highly metaphorical (The Fountain) and higly moral (Superman Returns) while still being entertaining.
I really want to see The Fountain... I wish they would make more Superman movies... I guess they're not gonna, though.
Favorite album this year - The Drams Jubilee Dive. I am just plain addicted to this one.
Favorite cover I've heard this year (and what comes to mind right now)- My Morning Jacket doing "Loving Cup." (Though I really liked the version that Patterson, Schools, and crew did it at the Stones benefit here in Athens this year, too. Good times.)
Favorite author this year - Nick Hornby
Favorite Athens pizza joint and most visited lunch stop - Transmet
Favorite Athens Blogs - TDJ & Southern Shelter, of course
Favorite moment - Getting to see my grandad in 8 years (sentimental, i know.)
Favorite dog - Mazzie (um, that would be my dog)
That should read:
Favorite moment - Getting to see my grandad for the first time in 8 years
I really want to see The Fountain... I wish they would make more Superman movies... I guess they're not gonna, though.
The Fountain's still playing at Beechwood tonight, though it's leaving after tonight. And as far as I know, plans are on for another Superman movie with Singer directing... although it'll probably be more punchy-actiony, which this one wasn't, which was why I thought it was so great.
I believe we feel the same way about Superman.
Best New Band: The New Sound of Numbers
Best New Label: Quote Unquote Records
Best New Venue: FDR
Best new restaurant: Mama's Boy.
Best discovery (but not experience) last night: The Manhattan now sells microwaveable (and presumably microwaved) White Castle cheeseburgers. 2 for $2.
does that mean they can be open on sundays? just in time for sunday new years eve?
so are the bars really going to be closed on sunday?
I want to shout early congrats to our friend DVDGuy, he'll be birthing a baby this afternoon. Or at least he'll be there.
Congrats M! May the force be with you.
Robo: Article about the liquor laws.
I refuse to do best of music lists and such, but I will say that The Wire remains the best (though not always the easiest-to-watch) TV show of all time.
Oh, and the Venice is Sinking 3 Year "Bandiversary" on Sunday at Stan Mullins featuring Folklore, Titans of Filth, Phosphorescent, Big Gray, the Ginger Envelope, the Folk You's, and Venice is Sinking should be the best show of 2006. It starts at 1. BYOB. 650 Pulaski St. FREE.
Speaking of house shows, there's also one Saturday night at the Ultraodd with Casper & the Cookies, the Velcro Stars, Russian Spy Camera, Andy Gonzales, Cars Can Be Blue, Visitations and Titans of Filth (this weekend's house-show whores).
Three funniest films of the year:
Talladega Nights
Grandma's Boy
Clerks II
(in that order)
I don't keep a definitive list in my head, but amongst my favorite local albums: "Courage To The Gap" by Brown Frown and "Strong Medecine" by Southern Bitch. "Sorry About The Flowers" by Venice Is Sinking is also great.
Anybody got favorite shows this past year? I saw some good ones. Music Hates You at AthFest sticks out and the Star Room Trio show with Summer Hymns - was that 2006? There were lotsa great ones.
oh, and Head - I haven't laughed out loud at Internet comments in a while... but your Raven joke did it. 
(I think the last time I laughed as loud here was when Karate Media asked Pete McBrayer about his strangely abbreviated e-mail address and if someone had gotten the "Pete@petemcbrayer.com" address before him.)
mc, glad you liked it. nothing like a little clean comedy. right, robo?
best new blog of the year: Southern Shelter
worst "person of the year": me.
WORD UP to Mama's Boy. Salmon salad sandwich.
I forgot to mention Lost. The only TV I really watched this year. Where my Losties?
Definitely a Lostie, here. And creating more each and every day.
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