Best Releases Of 2006!

[2010DigitalBoy]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]The year is coming to a close, folks! It's time to talk about the best releases of '06! This may include CDs or DVDs! For DVDs, include talking about your favorite extra features and stuff.

[B]The Indian Tower[/B]

[IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/MetalSonic700/781484030027_160W_160H.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Band[/B]: Pearls And Brass

[B]Why[/B]: Blues and rock come together and produce some insane riffage and some sweet sludge-rock tunes from beneath the earth. One guitar, one bass, and one drumkit come together in one of the most interesting and unique sounds of the decade. This CD can be fun any time and is just plain good. Also, it's two mezmerising acoustic tracks will blow your mind.

[B]Best Songs[/B]: The Mirror, I Learn The Hard Way, Away The Mirrors, Wake In the Morning

[B]10,000 Days[/B]

[IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/MetalSonic700/200px-10000Days.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Band[/B]: Tool

[B]Why[/B]: After 5 years of hiatus, Tool returns with the epic prog-rock piece 10,000 Days and some interesting new tracks. While personally I do prefer Lateralus, 10,000 Days carries some great songs such as Rosetta Stoned and Right In Two. Each song stands on it's own and follows a dark, creepy avenue of progressive-rock. A great choice for anyone looking to break into the genre.

[B]Best Songs[/B]: Rosetta Stoned, Right In Two, Jambi[/COLOR]

[John]

Think I gotta agree with you on [u]Indian Tower[/u] there.

[Albert Flasher]

[COLOR=Sienna][CENTER][B]World Container[/B] [/CENTER]

[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Worldcontainer.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Band:[/B] The Tragically Hip

The Hip's 11th studio album is a brilliant one. As a follow up to 2004's very slick [B]In Between Evolution[/B], it had a lot to live up to, and it exceeded these expectations. From the great opening track "Yer Not the Ocean" to the sheerly brilliant closing track "World Container," it's an ear-to-ear masterpiece. It's a shame the Hip have never managed to become popular outside of Canada, because they're an incredible group. Frontman Gord Downie continues to demonstrate his fantastic songwriting abilities and his singing is great. The drums are unusually prominent in this album, thanks to the fantastic producing by the legendary Bob Rock (He can capture the drums like few others!), and the mix is superb. To tell you the truth, I have trouble listening to the 2nd-to-last track "Family Band" because I can never wait to get to World Container... but it's probably a great tune too!

[B]Best Songs[/B]: World Container, the Lonely End of the Rink, Luv(sic), Yer Not the Ocean... Hell, they're all great.

[B]Honourable Mentions:[/B] Bob Dylan's Modern Times, Eric Clapton & JJ Cale's The Road to Escondido, Tom Petty's Highway Companion, Bob Seger's Face the Promise. Some classic rock legends getting back into the fold this year, solid musical season.[/COLOR]

[Claire]

[FONT=Arial][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/ShikyoKasu/du-1.jpg[/IMG]

AFI - Decemberunderground

AFI has been my favorite band of all time for four years, and I love everything they put out. This album is extremely different from some of their earlier works, such as Black Sails in the Sunset and Art of Drowning which have more of a dark hardcore punk sound. DU utilizes electronic beats and synthesizers, somewhat akin to AFI's previously release, Sing the Sorrow. The band remains rooted in their darker lyrics, however, and the music is more than just plain amazing. However, if you've only heard Miss Murder, don't be turned off to the whole album. I don't think it's a very good representation of all AFI did this year, as it's probably the simplest and most radio-friendly song on the CD.

My Favorite Songs: Kiss and Control, Endlessly She Said, Love Like Winter, The Interview (I adore all of the twelve tracks, but I decided to not be overzealous).

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/ShikyoKasu/iheardavoice.jpg[/IMG]

AFI - I Heard a Voice (DVD)

This just came out on the 12th of December, and it's AFI's first ever DVD. It was shot with over twenty cameras at their largest concert ever in Long Beach, CA. It's a great opportunity for people who haven't had the chance to see this band live to find out what all happens at one of their shows. I almost teared up several times during the performance (but managed to remain dry-eyed in a car full of family members)...so when I go to their concert in February I'll probably lose my mind completely. My favorite parts of this DVD would have to be the beginning, of course, because the excitement just builds as Prelude 12/21 slowly comes in, the band comes on stage and plays, then they go right into Girls Not Grey. Some more highlights include Nick 13 of Tiger Army providing guest vocals in a nostalgic performance of A Single Second, the emotional power in This Time Imperfect, Death of Seasons, and Silver and Cold, and Love Like Winter (which is just a great song to begin with).

Also included on the DVD are interviews with members of the Despair Faction, as well as four creepy videos from the mystery AFI is running. It's also a really pretty package, and the disk has black ink on black. It's fun to look at, as well as watch over and over again.

Unfortunately, I haven't been listening to any bands who have released any CDs this year, so I'll just spread my AFI obsession all over.

[SIZE=1]EDIT: v - BANZORZED.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[DeadSeraphim]

[size=1][color=indigo][font=arial]Argh. Double AFI. [i]Eww[/i].

[b]Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium[/b]
It doesn't need a lot of introduction. This was a fantastically solid album with very few skippable songs over the entire 28 tracks. If you can't find something to like about it, you're either an indie hipster who's too cool to like anything not on "Cheap as Free Records" or dead.
Try: Make You Feel Better, Storm In A Teacup

[b]Deadsy - Phantasmagore[/b]
This was years in the making, but it was worth it. A lot heavier and less synth-heavy than Phantasmagore, but awesome anyway. Try it if you like: Bands that don't suck.
Try: Razor Love, Book Of Black Dreams

[b]Hilltop Hoods - The Hard Road[/b]
A lot jazzier than The Calling, and fun as a result. Tight rhymes (except by the British rappers) and great beats make this a must own for any hip hop fan of the Australian description.
Try: The Blue Blooded, What A Great Night

[b]Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia...[/b]
A lot more upbeat than their debut, but not bad as a result. A bit more accessible, with some catchy songs and awesome lyrics
Try: Delilah, My Alcoholic Friends[/font][/color][/size]

[Semjaza]

Without spending any time thinking about it, one main thing that comes to mind is Sonic Youth's "Rather Ripped". It's really the same old stuff from them, I suppose. It's obviously Sonic Youth. That's not a bad thing, though, since they're really continuing an excellent return to greatness (including their last release, "Sonic Nurse"). Plus, Kim Gordon seems to be getting better and better.

Something I always note when listening to the album is how well it ends. The closing words on the final track just seem perfect. I cannot say that about many releases from any artist.

They put out some b-side collection last week too, but I've not picked it up yet.

The other is Jucifer's "Thine Enemy Hunger". They're a two piece band; the girl plays guitar and sings, the guy plays drums. They're often cited as one of the loudest bands you can see live, largely because she brings with this massive wall of gigantic speakers on tour stops.

This is their first LP in four years or so and I think it lives up to the previous material and then some. It's hard to pigeonhole them in a super specific genre, but there's influences of pop, rock, metal, doom, sludge and so forth. They're one of my personal favorite bands, although admittedly not for every one by a long shot.


There's probably a dozen more albums I would put on here (J Dilla comes to mind too), but I'm not in the mindset to remember what most of them were... let alone in the mindset to actually write something.

[2010DigitalBoy]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][B]Amputechture[/B]

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/21/GSL126_cover_temp_461.jpg[/img]

[B]Band[/B]: The Mars Volta

[B]Why? [/B] While I personally prefer their earlier works, Amputechture does not disappoint. A head-trip of an album with dark, dragged-out songs full of horns, guitars and trippy noises flying at you from all directions along with Cedric Bixler-Zavala's high-pitched vocal work will make your brain implode. Plus, certain parts are really freaking creepy.

The Mars Volta delivers in the department of strange and unique, especially in the lyrics which fans have spent countless answers toiling over the meanings of. Each song ends suddenly (amputated) and they follow varying styles. 3 of the 8 songs reach over 10 minutes, too!

[B]Best Songs[/B]: Tetragrammaton, Vermicide, Vicera Eyes[/COLOR]

[Eureka]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][FONT=Trebuchet MS][B]Lostprophets[/B] - [I]Liberation Transmission[/I]
[IMG]http://image.com.com/mp3/images/cover/200/drh300/h367/h36747npsb2.jpg[/IMG]


[B] Why? [/B]

Lostprophets has done a lot of diffrent stuff over the years and their newest album, Liberation Transmission, debuted this summer, is no exception. Their main solo, "Rooftops" was the first of theirs to hit the no.1 spot on the top of the UK album charts. From their amazing lyric correlation and rough grunge like guitar solos, Liberation Transmission is a cd you will never tire of. Easily the best CD I bought all year. If you looked at lostprophets once and didn't like them, their style evolves with every album. Look again.
[B]
Best songs:[/B]
[I]
- Rooftops, ((obviously)).
- Town Called Hypocrisy
- Can't Catch Tomorrow ((Good Shoes won't save you this time))
- Broken Hearts, Torn up letters, The Story of a Girl
- Everybody's screaming!!!
[/I][/FONT][/COLOR]

[BlueYoshi]

[img]http://www.13t.org/public/muzike/imagenes/trivium-%20the%20crusade.jpg[/img]

[color=darkred](sarcasm at its best)[/color]

[2010DigitalBoy]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][B]In The Absence Of Truth[/B]

[IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/MetalSonic700/In_the_absence_of_truth.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Band[/B]: Isis

[B]Why?[/B] This CD has some of the sickest percussion work I've ever heard, period. With that out of the way, Isis once again brings the thunder with great melodic guitaring and creating a beautiful ambiance. The lead singer has disposed of most of the screaming which dominated their earlier titles for elongated singing. The two are mixed very well, though, matching the singing with the twinkling melodies of calmer parts while putting screaming vocals over musical explosions. Isis has brilliant pacing, amazing ability, and total overall awesomeness. Plus the drums are freaking amazing.

[B]Best Songs[/B]: Wrists of Kings, All out of time - All into space

[B]Ashes Against The Grain[/B]

[IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/MetalSonic700/Ashes_Against_The_Grain.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Band[/B]: Agalloch

[B]Why?[/B] While admittedly this CD sounds a lot like Isis with an acoustic guitar thrown in, this CD is really freaking good. A black metal voice and constant sense of darkness in the falling of nature loom over this piece. What really matters here, though, is the song Not Unlike The Waves. This song is beautifully written, perfectly coordinated, and just plain good. Even the shortened version with the video is good (look it up on youtube). The acoustics on this CD are all very pretty (funny using 'pretty' with 'black metal') and the melodic nature, as stated, very much resembles Isis.

[B]Best Songs[/B]: Not Unlike The Waves, Our Fortress is Burning...II Bloodbirds[/COLOR]

[Jakehammaren]

MY TOP PICKS FOR 2006

Myrkgrav - [I]Trollskau, Skrømt og Kølabrenning[/I]
Enslaved - [I]Ruun[/I]
Eluveitie - [I]Spirit[/I]
Amon Amarth - [I]With Oden On Our Side[/I]
The Sword - [I]Age of Winters[/I]

MY PICK FOR BEST ALBUM OF 2006:
[IMG]http://www.gothtronic.com/Goth/img_/Music1/sub/aatg.jpg[/IMG]
Agalloch - [I]Ashes Against the Grain[/I]

Agalloch has done it again, creating an album of unmatched beauty, atmosphere, and uniqueness. This album has made many an Agalloch fan cry foul, but I can't for the life of me figure out why! This is pure Agalloch genious through and through - from the doom-laden aura of Limbs to the epic sweeping choir in Fire Above, Ice Below to the final bell-toll of Our Fortress Is Burning II - Bloodbirds. I cannot stop listening to this monumental work of art, and I hear something new every time I listen to it. My only gripe is the final track (Our Fortress Is Burning III - The Grain), because it's just a bunch of static and feedback noise and a terrible way to end such a beautiful album. Other than that, this thing is damn near perfect.

Oh, and 2007DigitalBoy - Agalloch owns the living sh1t out of Isis.

[Prince Van]

I agree with Clurr, AFI rule and Decemberunderground is great. Endlessly, She Said is probably one of the best written songs they've recorded.

Other Good albums in my opinion:
[B]The Open Door[/B] - Evanescence
Why: It's a great follow-up to Fallen, but it has little in common. Evanescence have escaped many of the pop features of their sound for darker, harder rock sounds. There are some softer songs on it though(Lithium, Good Enough) and overall it captures attention a lot more than Fallen.

Best Songs: All That I'm Living For, Sweet Sacrifice, Weight of the World and Good Enough.

[b]Destroy What You Enjoy[/b] - Powerman 5000
Why: Although it's a shame PM5K decided to drop the space suits and numetal/industrial sound for punk, they really did well with Destroy What You Enjoy. Their newer songs hold a lot more energy in them. They have classic punk sounds(Enemies, Walking Disaster), Electric elements (Murder, Wild World) and very unique song structures (Destroy What You Enjoy).

Best Songs: Enemies, Walking Distaster, All My Friends Are Ghosts and Return to The City of The Dead.

[b]Phobia[/b] - Breaking Benjamin
Why: Phobia mixes the best elements of their last albums, We Are Not Alone and Saturate; Phobia has a mature sound much like We Are Not Alone but favours the Harder, more Grunge influenced sound of Saturate. The only bad thing about the album if the uselessness of the intro and the outro but makes up for it.

Best Songs: Breath, Topless, Had Enough and Unknown Soldier

[Goodbye, Face]

[font=arial][size=1][img]http://betterpropaganda.com/images/artwork/Mr._Beast-Mogwai_480.jpg[/img]
[b]Mogwai - [u]Mr. Beast[/u][/b]
Mogwai is a post rock band that is similar in someways to Isis, which people keep mentioning here. In fact, I would put Isis on this list too had someone else not mentioned it. The difference is between these guys and Isis is that they're instrumental, aside from a few songs where their guitarist sings, such as "Travel is Dangerous". This album is their most accessible work, and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. Best album of the year? Nah... One of the best albums ever.

[img]http://www.emotionalbreakdown.com/public/images/recensioni/IWouldSetMyselfOnFireForYou-believesinpatternsSmall.jpg[/img]
[b]I Would Set Myself On Fire For You - [u]Believes in Patterns[/u][/b]
Iwouldetc. is a post-hardcore band that makes use of violas, keyboards, and chanting in their music. The lyrics are well written and read like a story for each song. The music is chaotic but majestic and graceful. They honestly sound like no one else out there, and are perfect for anyone wanting to branch out of their music tastes.

[img]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000FI8UKO.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_V52801132_.jpg[/img]
[b]Cinemechanica - [u]The Martial Arts[/u][/b]
With no Hot Cross album this year, I pretty much went on a search for more math rock bands that shred as well as them. I searched until I found this album, from a band I just recently had the pleasure of seeing live. The band has almost entirely changed this year, as they now have two drummers and a new bassist. Their quest that they started with "Get Outta Here, Hitler" on this album was over by the end of the summer, and I cannot wait until their next album, with dueling guitars and drums in every song. My boxers can't wait. :D


More later?[/font][/size]

[Mr. Maul]

[b][u]Top 3 Albums of 2006[/u][/b]


[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/74/Wpsiatwin.jpg/200px-Wpsiatwin.jpg[/img]

[size=1]"[i][b]Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not[/b][/i]" - [b]The Arctic Monkeys[/b][/size]
[size=1] [/size]
[size=1]This album just proves how file sharing really has a positive influence on album sales. This entire album is full of fresh, make-you-wanna-jump-up-and-dance indie rock with not only great music, vivid lyrics, and pleasing vocals, but also an energy that flows throughout.[/size]



[b][img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c1/Wolfmother_album_cover.jpg/200px-Wolfmother_album_cover.jpg[/img][/b]

"[b][i]Wolfmother[/i][/b]" - [b]Wolfmother[/b]

Reminiscent of late 60's, early 70's rock, Wolfmother know how to play with the best of them. Crunching guitars, wailing solos, odd time signatures, and ROCK FREAKIN FLUTE, this album is definitely a do not miss.



[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/St_Elsewhere_Cover_Art.JPG/200px-St_Elsewhere_Cover_Art.JPG[/img]

"[b][i]St. Elsewhere[/i][/b]" - [b]Gnarls Barkley[/b]

DJ Danger Mouse has done it yet again. Old skool beats with soulful vocals is a combination that anyone can love. Even if you're not a fan of the genre, there's at least one song on this album that anyone can enjoy.



[b][u]Best DVD Release of 2006[/u][/b]


[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/73/Brickmovieposter.jpg/200px-Brickmovieposter.jpg[/img]

"[b][i]Brick[/i][/b]" - Written and Directed by [b]Rian Johnson[/b]

A modern day noir, Brick is an old idea rewritten into a fresh, new story. In this classic, who-dunit, every twist and turn will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

[2010DigitalBoy]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]In response to Jakehammaren: Well, when it comes to Agalloch's previous works such as The Mantle, the two bands can't really be compared. Both are great in their own right, while Agalloch may even be better. But when it comes to Ashes Against The Grain the two are more comparable and I don't think Agalloch does it as well. I'm listening to it now, and In The Absence of Truth just seems like a better CD.

[B]Inhuman Rampage[/B]

[IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/MetalSonic700/DFIR.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Band[/B]: Dragonforce

[B]Why?[/B] Dragonforce is a bit of a strange choice for me. Normally I listen to freaked-out, melodic crap with out-of-wack time singnatures, but Dragonforce is enough to tear me away from that. The main draw of Dragonforce, of course, is the sick, intense and super-speed guitar solos which last several minutes and are wonderfully structured. This wouldn't be enough to get me on the band, though.

What makes Dragonforce brilliant is the spirit. The pulse-pounding adrenaline rush of extreme guitars wailing over a constant beat with the most uplifting and magical vocal work I've ever heard. Nothing makes me want to weild a sword and fight for freedom like Dragonforce!

[B]Best Songs[/B]: Body Breakdown, Operation Ground And Pound, Revolution Deathsquad

[B]Honerable Mentions[/B]: AFI - Decemberunderground, Tenacious D - The Pick of Destiny

[B]CDs That disappointed me this year[/B]: Trivium - The Crusade[/COLOR]

[DeadSeraphim]

[COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial][QUOTE=Mr. Maul][b][img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c1/Wolfmother_album_cover.jpg/200px-Wolfmother_album_cover.jpg[/img][/b]

"[b][i]Wolfmother[/i][/b]" - [b]Wolfmother[/b]

Reminiscent of late 60's, early 70's rock, Wolfmother know how to play with the best of them. Crunching guitars, wailing solos, odd time signatures, and ROCK FREAKIN FLUTE, this album is definitely a do not miss.[/QUOTE]
Aint it a damn shame that it was released in 2005 and not eligible for this list then?[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Semjaza]

To be even more technical, Wolfmother's self-titled only was released in 2005 in Australia. It was released everywhere else in 2006, which pretty much makes it work here.

I know they're pretty huge in Australia, but they're mark elsewhere has yet to expand to that level.

[Billy Shears]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]2006DigitalBoy beat me to [I]Amputechture[/I]. Damn good album.

My personal pick would have been the[B] Mars Volta[/B]'s latest, but I will pick something I bought a few days ago. I read about it in an older [I]Guitar World[/I] magazine and it sounded interesting.

[IMG]http://www.mastodonrocks.com/store/items/blood-mountain-CD.png[/IMG]

[B]Mastodon/ Blood Mountain[/B]

Great choice. I heard some of the things from their older records but never really thought much of it. Not with [I]Blood Mountain[/I].

Musicianship dominates this record. There is also some dizzying concept behind the album; something to do with some people at the bottom of a mountain, they have to climb up it and put this crystal skull on top so they can travel to different astral planes and all other kinda crazy crap. The lyrics are typical prog-rock fare, full of things that are metaphorical and are pretty much "drug required" to understand. But that isn't always bad. :D

Like I said before, the music is amazing.The riffs these guys peel off the fretboard is amazing, and the drummer could be one of the world's next great skinman. The songs are complex and dense, full of nutty meter changes and oddball scale ascensions. Definitely a riff-o-rama wet dream for any guitarist, and drummers better recognize, ya hurr'd.

And they managed to recruit some talented people to appear as guests on the record. Josh Homme ([B]Queens of the Stone Age[/B]), Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and Isaih Owens ([B]The Mars Volta[/B]) lend a hand.

The only downside is when the vocalists try to sing. It isn't [I]comepletly[/I] terrible, the style they sing in fits the music, but it would have been great if there was more screaming instead.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Mr. Maul]

[quote name='Generic NPC #3']To be even more technical, Wolfmother's self-titled only was released in 2005 in Australia. It was released everywhere else in 2006, which pretty much makes it work here.[/quote] [size=1][color=DimGray]Oooooohhh!


[/color][/size]