Three of My Favorite Sings

Given the date, I thought it appropriate to provide my three musical recommendations from 2006.  Be clear that this is not a “Best of the Year” list mainly because (A) I don’t listen to near enough music anymore to make such a judgment, and (B) my musical interests are, like everyone else’s, fairly limited.  So, why do such a list?  First, because I don’t know how many years we have left in which artists will produce “albums” or full CDs in the traditional sense.  Indeed, even though I love the concept of a full CD, I mostly put my CDs on the IPod and keep it on shuffle.  However, given that I am a middle ager who grew up on vinyl, I want to take advantage of making such a list while I can.  Second, because it’s fun to talk about music, especially that music which makes one groove.  Third, because I’m trying to help Janet (and the rest of us) by adding XARK content that will eventually push Santa in panties off the page.

OK, so from what perspective are these CDs being judged?  From that of a 43 year old guy who had vast punk/alt music enthusiasm as a young man and who now buys only 2-3 CDs a month.  What do I buy now?  Honestly, I’m still buying up multiple reissues from my youth (e.g., this month, I bought two of the Queen reissues), traditional jazz (both old and new) and contemporary music, but only when enough “mystical” elements lead me to do so (e.g., early this year, I had two friends on the same day mention the Raconteurs; then, a few weeks later when I was house shopping with my Bonnie, we actually ran into Jack White and Brendan Benson, who were looking at buying one of the houses we were interested in.  At that point, I felt I was being told to buy their record).  So, with those considerations, my top three CDs (in no meaningful order) with a 2006 trademark:

The Raconteurs “Broken Boy Soldiers” —Hard to say enough about this one.  Like all my favorite  recordings:  what I really love about this one is ineffable.  Sure, I can tell you that it’s got all the hooks and grooves you expect from Jack White, but it’s so much more.  There is something here in the harmonies that takes some of the songs to Beatlesque heights. There’s something in the lyrics and in Benson’s vocals that gives you chills.  My Bonnie, who has never had an ear for music of any sort, loves this album and can sing along with every song.  My sole complaint is that the darned thing is too short.  Just when you’re completely Zen, the last notes fade.

Cat Power “The Greatest” —Wow.  Does this blow me away.  If you like slow, bluesy soul songs, you can’t go wrong here.  I love this one so much that I’m angry at myself for not jumping on the Cat Power band wagon along time ago (It must have been a blast to be one of her early fans.  Read the entry about her on Wikipedia.  What a hoot).  Anyway, Cat Power (or Chan Marshall) grew up poor, in a broken alcoholic family in the South, moving between Georgia, North Carolina, etc., and man, does it show in the sound of this thing.  It’s hard to describe the emotion wallop this one packs—deeply mournful, slightly optimistic, somewhat frightening.  Recorded in Memphis with a good deal of Al Green’s recording team, it’s the type of recording which will force you to go back and buy up her earlier catalogue.  To be sure, there are going to be lots of “true fans” who will tell you that the early stuff is the only good stuff—don’t believe them.  This works on its own, especially if you’re just joining Team Cat Power.

Arctic Monkeys—“Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” —BELIEVE the hype.  This is a great record.  Straight ahead rock-n-roll with lyrics built on British slang that would leave you scratching your head if you weren’t too busy dancing and moving around.  I heard so much about this album before I actually heard the music that I just knew I was going to think it was a throwaway.  Instead, I felt like Ponce de Leon happening upon the Fountain of Youth.  I kid you not; this CD will make you think you’re 20 again.  With an unusual sense of timing and beat, you’ll feel an excitement about music that you didn’t think could be recreated. 

Honorable Mention

Lambchop—“Damaged” —Always nice when they release new music.

Elton John—“The Captain and the Kid” —While not the return to form critics are claiming (that came two albums ago with “Songs from the West Coast,” it’s a nice concept album, especially fun for my age group.

Yusuf—“An Other Cup” —Cat Stevens sounding like Cat Stevens.  What could be bad about that?

Pearl Jam—“Pearl Jam” --I remain a Pearl Jam true believer.  Their best, most consistent recording since “Yield.” 

Comments

[ben]

John,

Cool list. It includes stuff I remember thinking I'd like to check out but never did. I keep hearing about Cat Power, in particular.

It would be ridiculous for me to attempt a music list, but I did really like The Hold Steady's "Boys and Girls in America." But I didn't really like them until I saw them live - a great show.

[Agricola]

Strangely enough, on Austin City Limits last night appeared both the Raconteurs and Cat Power. Of the two, I had only heard Cat Power courtesy of my XM Radio. Both albums are now on my iPod. Thanks for the insight.