All the important details of the year have been recapped, I won’t waste time with that. I guess that means it’s time for a few obligatory something-something ‘06 lists…

A number of the best albums of ‘06 [In no particular order]:

• The Brother Kite: Waiting for the Time to Be Right
  Sun-bleached melodies, with a lingering melancholy without being heavy. The album reminds me of ‘Pet Sounds’ if Brian Wilson weren’t so full of himself.
• Secret Machines: Ten Silver Drops
  I can best describe this album as ‘anthemic’. It has arena heavy drums, swirling guitar sounds, and great lyrics.
• ill lit: Tom Cruise
  If I HAD to choose, this album would be my favorite. It’s cosmic road music for a generation that is trying to find home. Somewhere Gramm Parsons is smiling.
• Band of Horses: Everything All The Time
  I suppose this is best described as southern-influenced rock; a indie with a twang, if you will. There’s a comfort in the familiar sadness here.
• Belong: October Language
  This album is skittery and static-y the perfect album to turn on and drift into your own head late at night. Lyrics would have ruined this album, as its swells and distortions conjure create the emotions without manufacturing a feeling.
• The Black Spoons: The History of Modern Silence
  The sophomore album from a trio [well, currently duo] of talented musicians. It’s intelligent, thoughtful rock music with no pretenses.
• Blue October: Foiled
  If you haven’t heard Blue October by now, you must be living in a cave [Can I come over and have tea?]. It’s dark, raw, honest rock music. As an added bonus Imogen Heap sings ‘Celebration’ with them. What more do you need?
• Dirty on Purpose: Hallelujah Sirens
  This is an album of jangly indie-pop music, again, probably best suited for late nights alone with bottle of wine.
• Girl Talk: Night Ripper
  Again, if I had to chose, this album would be #2 for the year. It’s a continuous mix mash-up of hip-hop and pop music. Things you never thought could go together somehow mix SEAMLESSLY with one another. A must-have.
• Letting Up Despite Great Faults: Movement
  Apparently as I compile this ‘06 was a year of melancholy. This albums is a great mix of organics like a string section, acoustic guitar, and a piano with the blips and bloops of daydreaming synthesizers and gentle, sad music.
• Snow Patrol: Eyes Open
  So, sometimes I tend to be a music snob, and I almost missed these guys without giving them a chance. Just a great emotional indie-rock album.
• Eels: With Strings - Live at Town Hall
  I typically HATE live albums, as I’ve rather SEE a band live, but this albums I think captures the intimacy that Mr. E set out to accomplish. You can almost smell the scotch on his breath.

Other notables include Té, Tex La Homa, Metallic Falcons, Brightback Morning Light, Chin Up Chin Up, Amusement Parks on Fire, Blue Sky Black Death, and the list goes on. Hopefully I’ll get around to reviewing ALL of these and more in the next year. Which brings us to our next list…

A Few Things I Intend on Doing Next Year:

• Write more regularly: Both on my blog and in general. I’m still struggling to regain my previous habit of writing. I caught myself procrastinating too much this year and self-editting to the point of destroying a piece before it’s ever started.
• Get married. I think this requires no real description.
• Read more. I got burned out on reading this year due to the high volume of tech blogs I read daily and the general exhaustion from work. I need to force myself to do this. There’s a great deal I want to read, but I just haven’t sat down to do so.
• Work on some animation. I have these ideas rattling in my skull, I should try to get them out.
• Take more time for myself. It seems simple, but I am horrid with that. I need to take time to mediate, read, and take care of myself so I can better take care of those that I care about.

Well, it’s time to get dressed and head out to toast the END of the Rockettes. Happy New Year!

Technorati Tags: best albums, The Brother Kite, Secret Machines, ill lit, Band of Horses, Belong, The Black Spoons, Blue October, Imogen Heap, Dirty on Purpose, Girl Talk, Letting Up Despite Great Faults, Snow Patrol, Eels, Lists, Resolutions, New Year