Moby - "Destroyed"

Rating - 32%

Moby is basically a victim of his own success at this point.

As someone who hit rock-bottom and almost gave up music entirely, he exploded onto the scene out of nowhere with the breakthrough smash Play. While previously having a hit in the underground dance scene with the song "Go," and trying a punk-rock tinged album with 1997's Animal Rights, he went a different route and decided he could put his music into commercials to achieve what every artist needs, a paycheck.

Play was perfect for the time. There were samples from blues and gospel, used in a way hip-hop wasn't even doing back in 1999. There were energetic break-beats. It also had somber songs that dug through your ear-drums, directly into your heart. And hey, it didn't hurt having Gwen Stefani featured on what became the biggest single off the album just as she was about to explode as a solo artist.

But Moby hasn't even attempted a crack at making another Play, instead veering mainly into ambient style of music that really caters to no one at this point. Except maybe Moby himself. But after all, isn't that what music is really about? Expressing yourself how you see fit?

All that said, the fact remains that his new album Destroyed is just, well, pretty damn boring. It's certainly not the kind of down-tempo electronic music that I'm into. It just basically plods along, from one track to the next. Nothing all that creative, nothing all that exciting. It isn't even all that beautiful. Many of the songs here actually sound like ambient versions of "Go."

I like most of Moby's albums, I'm even very fond of the critically destroyed Hotel, but this just leaves you feeling like you sat through a 60-minute detention in high school. One where you're finally glad to get out of.

There are a few tracks that break the mold, they are linked below. But don't expect them to be truly indicative of the entire product.

Must Listens:
- The Low Hum
- Rockets
- Lay Down in Darkness
- The Right Thing
- After

2007 Music in Review

2007 saw music moving in a digital direction at an even faster pace. Face it, we now live in the iPod era, and what makes the music business money are downloads and ringtones. Fortunately, there were still a nice group of artists that rose above the business politics, and release great, cohesive albums. Here's my favorites of the year...


Top 20 Albums of 2007:



1. Kanye West – "Graduation"” - By the slimmest of margins, this is the best album released this year. "Graduation" shows Kanye totally grown up in his music making, even shedding the unfunny skits that interrupted his previous brilliant works. The fat has been trimmed, what's left here is all substance. What really put him at the top is the fact that he not only is the main performing, he had to make all the beats... and they all show him at his best. Looking forward to his album in '08.

Highlights - "Can't Tell Me Nothing," "Stronger," "Good Life" and "Champion"



2. Jay-Z – "American Gangster" - After the disgusting taste left in my mouth by "Kingdom Come," Jay-Z returns to his drug-slangin' roots with an album "inspired" by the motion picture of the same name. Let's be honest though, this is just an excuse to make street records, while still sitting on mansions in real life. So what though? The result is another fine album by Jay-Z, who shows that he is still light-years ahead of the young clowns that claim to be the best hip-hop has to offer. The question - can Jay-Z make an album like this again without the guise of a concept album for a movie? Here's to hoping so...

Highlights - "Blue Magic," "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)" and "Ignorant Shit"



3. Lily Allen – "Alright, Still"”” - So how can an album be on last year's list, AND this year's list? If you release your album domestically this year and show over time, that you might have the best pop album released in the last ten years. Allen even goes as far to top the UK version of her album by including a sort-of cover of 50 Cents "Window Shopper," but changes the content matter, turning the song from boastful, to hilarious. It even shows how ridiculous the original truly is.

Highlights - "Smile," "Everything's Just Wonderful" and "Nan, You're a Window Shopper"



4. Ghostface Killah – "The Big Doe Rehab" - Ghostface done did it again, his 6th proper studio album is yet another "Wu-Banger." There isn't much to say except if you like his previous albums, this will be right up your alley. I do have to point out that the Wu-Tang members guest appearance's are top-notch. Some of them even come harder than on the new Wu-Tang album that dropped a week later. (See #13)

Highlights - "Killa Lipstick," "Paisley Darts" and "Supa GFK"



5. The Hives – "Black and White Album" - These aren't your same old Hives... yet they are. The Hives 3rd album here in America find them experimenting with new sounds, both vocal and musical, yet still showcases their balls-to-the-wall style. I found the album to be pretty refreshing, and it really held my attention for the full 15 tracks. Definitely something to continue to grow on.

Highlights - "Tick Tick Boom," "Try it Again" and "Well All Right!"



6. Dizzee Rascal – "Maths + English" - UK "rapper" Dizzee Rascal has released some progressive albums in his short recording career, but has finally brought us a gem with his third album. Unfortunately, it will probably never see out shores... so I strongly encourage you to check out "Maths + English" through import or digital medium. Dizzee Rascal brings out tales of life on the street, and what type of life you can have off of them.

Highlights - "World Outside," "Where's da Gs?" and "Sirens"



7. Jimmy Eat World – "Chase This Light" - After the somewhat disappointing "Futures," Jimmy Eat World return with "Chase This Light," an album of one rocker after another. It seems they really went back to basics and decided to just rock out as much as possible, which pays off. While not as solid an album as "Bleed American," it definitely has no weak links.

Highlights - "Big Casino," "Gotta Be Somebody's Blues" and "Always Be"



8. Common – "Finding Forever" ”- On both "Be" and "Finding Forever," Common owes Kanye West a great debt for being album to finally bring Common the commercial praise he has rightfully deserved for so long. The production here is very good, and although Common's lyrics have gotten a little softer over the last few albums, he can still spit like crazy when he wants to. (see "The Game") I'd rather have an album with solid production and lyrics, then tip the see-saw to one side.

Highlights - "The Game," "The People" and "I Want You"



9. M.I.A. – "Kala" - What can one say about the sophomore album from Sri-Lankan descendant M.I.A.? It's definitely courageous, and experiments with all types of world sound from just about anywhere. And then there are those vocals; rap? singing? both? That's for you to decide. If you are looking for something different, and don't mind experimental music, this is the disc for you. (Oh there is a Timbaland track!)

Highlights - "Bird Flu," "$20" and "Jimmy"



10. Queens of the Stone Age – "Era Vulgaris" - QOTSA posses what might be the most pure and raw sound in rock today, and their new album is no different. It sounds much less polished than there last album, "Lullabies to Paralyze," but the is exactly what you want from Josh Homme and company. If you haven't seen the band live, run to a venue to check it out. If you don't have the album, do the same to your nearest store.

Highlights - "3's & 7's," "Make it Wit'chu" and "Into the Hollow"



11. The White Stripes – "Icky Thump"” - An album much closer to the amazing "Elephant" than the country-tinged "Get Behind Me Satan," The White Stripes really return to form here. Let's face it, the title track is easily the best song they have release since "Seven Nation Army," and the guitar riff might be the best Jack White has ever laid down. Welcome back Jack and Meg.

Highlights - "Icky Thump," "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)" and "Conquest"



12. Mark Ronson – "Version"” - An album of cleverly crafted cover songs, Mark Ronson shows why is such a brilliant producer. Whether it be the Phantom Planet remake of Radiohead's "Just, or the major reworking of Britney Spears "Toxic," featuring a rap by the late ODB!, "Version" is a change-up of style that's just what the musical doctor ordered. Throw in a Lily Allen fronted cover of the Kaiser Chief's "Oh My God" and you have quite a collection.

Highlights - "Stop Me," "Toxic" and "Valerie"



13. Wu-Tang Clan – "8 Diagrams"” - Major controversy came to light just before the release of the first Wu-Tang album in seven years. Crew members weren't happy with beats, people said they weren't getting their due pay - everything seemed to be a mess. Listening to the album, I can't really see why Raekwon or Ghostface were complaining, RZA is still dropping some very advanced beats. The only problem I would have at times is the lack of hunger in the MCs voices... besides Method Man, who seems to destroy every verse he touches. It's no "36 Chambers," "Wu-Tang Forver," or even "The W," but it's still pretty damn good.

Highlights - "Campfire," "Take it Back," "Wolves" and "Rushing Elephants"



14. El-P – "I'll Sleep When You're Dead"” - Let's get something out of the way right off the bat, El-P's new album only works when you listen to it all the way through, as single songs most of them just do not hold up as well. That said, this is a very dense album that takes numerous plays to truly begin to grasp musically. Ambitious and rewarding.

Highlights - "Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love)," "Flyentology" and "Smithereens (Stop Cryin')"



15. Maroon 5 – "It Won't Be Soon Before Long" - I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much at all from the follow-up to "Song About Jane," it was almost seven years for the second album to come out from Maroon 5. What they prove is how talented they are, and how lead singer Adam Levine and use his voice as another instrument in the band. Oh, and the band can rock pretty hard when they want to... for a pop-rock band.

Highlights - "Makes Me Wonder," "Little of Your Time" and "Can't Stop"



16. UGK – "Underground Kingz"” - We can keep this one pretty short... UGK has been around forever, even if you hadn't heard them until Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'." That said, they hadn't garnered much commercial attention until now, thanks to the Outkast assisted "Intl' Player's Anthem," which is the song of the year. Unfortunately, success was short-lived, at least for the group, as one-half of UGK, Pimp-C, died shortly after the album was released in his hotel room. A shame, because UGK delivers not one, but two discs of banger after banger. R.I.P.

Highlights - "Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)," "Trill Niggas Don't Die" and "Candy"



17. Fall Out Boy – "Infinity on High" - In a world that still buys albums, Fall Out Boy would be pushing close to six million copies of "Infinity on High" right now. They have catchy choruses, and one hell of a song writer in Patrick Stump. As long as he is the anchor of the band, they will be around for some time, even if their fanbase outgrows them... they have the ability to make people adapt to THEM.

Highlights - "Thiller," "'The Take Over, The Breaks Over'" and "Fame/Infamy"



18. Brother Ali – "The Undisputed Truth"” - Some music for the hip-hop backpacker, Brother Ali serves up some conscious underground rap. It's mellow and smooth for the most part, with introspective and thought provoking lyrics. A definite refresher.

Highlights - "Whatcha Got," "Here" and "Take Me Home"



19. Rjd2 – "The Third Hand" ” - Producer Rjd2 returns with an album full of the kind of beats he has been known for over his career, but this time he has no vocal samples to be heard. Instead, he sings his won vocals on the record and while most fans have blasted the attempt at singing, I find it a perfect compliment to his production. He tried something different, and it succeeded for me.

Highlights - "Beyond the Beyond," "You Never Had it so Good" and "Have Mercy"



20. Swizz Beatz – "One Man Band Man" - I'll be honest, this album will win no awards for originality or lyrical prowess, I just found the final product to be entertaining. The samples are very solid, including some Coldplay. Swizz Beatz produces all the beats here and for the most part holds the microphone through most songs, which has mixed results. But, if you want an album to get your party hopping, you could much worse than this.

Highlights - "It's Me Bitches (Remix)," "Money in the Bank" and "Part of the Plan"



Well, that's about it, I decided I didn't really have a good enough list to sort out the best singles and disappointing albums from the year, but you can hear some of that on tonight's show. Feel free to share some opinions... Here's to a great sounding 2008.

Common - "Finding Forever"

Rating - 91%

Anyone down with the underground hip-hop scene certainly knows about the rapper formerly known as Common Sense. Since 1992 Common has been carrying the torch for "backpackers" everywhere, kicking conscience rhymes throughout six solid albums. Only on 2005's excellent album, "BE", did Common catch somewhat of a commercial following. Thanks in large part to Kanye West, Common continues to finally get the attention he deserves on his latest album, "Finding Forever."

With a lean-but-mean track list only eleven deep, Common rides over each Kanye beat like a natural. Sometimes he almost sounds too at ease, where as Common used to viciously attack beats, he now rides them with slickness. Things jump off with "Start the Show," the first of many tracks where Kanye shows off beats with an underground influence. Common the smooth shows up on the will.i.am produced track "I Want You" (one of the few not provided to Common by Kanye). Say what you want about Will or the Black Eyed Peas, he is a superproducer at this point.

Things keep on the mellow tip with "Break My Heart," "Misunderstood," and "Black Maybe." Normally songs like these are too slow and lackluster, but the rhyming of Common, combined with excellent soul-music sample selection, make each song very strong.

The album really takes off when Kanye ups the tempo, and Common ups the intensity. The lead single, "The Game," is one of Common's best boom-bap tracks to date... not to mention it features cuts by the legendary DJ Premier. Not far behind that is the stellar "The People." The underground beat influence again shows through on the Kanye West beat, with a smooth chorus sung by Dwele. Not to be forgotten is "Drivin' Me Wild," featuring Lily Allen and "Southside," a back and fourth mic-duel with Kanye.

"Finding Forever" might be more of a grower than "BE," but if you give it a few spins, you will definitely hear the strong points. Give Kanye West major credit; he is about to drop a new solo album and still had enough beats to supply Common with a great follow-up to his biggest album to date.

Must Listens:
- The Game
- The People
- Drivin' Me Wild
- Break My Heart
- Start the Show

Garbage - "Absolute Garbage"

Rating - 83%

Many times a greatest-hits album can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. They can at times totally misfire (Nirvana's collection), or leave you wanting that one track not present (Smashing Pumpkin's "Rocket"). Luckily, the new "Best-Of" disc from 90s rock darlings Garbage is more hits than miss, and throughout the collection's 18 tracks, you also see the band's evolution.

Garbage was never as popular as they were after the success of their self-titled debut album, and all the highlights from that album are in this set. "Queer," "Only Happy When it Rains, "Stupid Girl"... everything you would want to hear. And that trend continues for the rest of their albums, the highlights are selected fairly wisely, from not just US singles, but also more popular songs overseas.

Listening to this collection, you become aware of the new sound they brought fourth on their third album, 2001's "beautifulgarbage." A style that is similar to some of Madonna's music, and that Gwen Stefani has been running with since her debut album in 2005. It's never more showcased than on tracks like "Shut Your Mouth" and "Cherry Lips," both included here.

The band also didn't forget to include their terrific soundtrack inclusions as both "#1 Crush," from Romeo and Juliet, and "The World is Not Enough," from the Jame's Bond series, are selected.

If you wanted to nitpick over the track list, one could wonder why "Androgyny" is no where to be found, or why the amped-up "Bad Boyfriend," off of 2005's very good release "Bleed Like Me," isn't included. But in all honesty, only the most hardcore fan would even recognize the slights.

"Absolute Garbage" just shows you there was yet another great band from the Golden Age of rock that was the 90s. If you have never given the band a shot, now is your chance to give them a real listen. You probably won't be disappointed.

Must Listens:
- Bleed Like Me
- The World is Not Enough
- Special
- Only Happy When It Rains
- Queer

The White Stripes - 7/25/07

Sometimes less is more.

In the case of cranking out loud guitar riffs and hammering drum kicks, less is definitely more for The White Stripes. The two-person band rocked harder Wednesday night in Wallingford than most "regular size bands" could ever dream of.

Jack and Meg White's set list comprised largely of songs from their first self-titled album, and from their newest album, "Icky Thump," released last month. Most songs were interwoven seamlessly into one-another, with such ease if one weren't familiar with the material, you might not even know they were on to a new song.

The big surprise- most of their "hit" songs were not performed, leaving a big fan of the band left wanting more. But I guess sometimes that's the point. If you are a fan of The White Stripes, you definitely need to check them out live... I know I will be again.







Set List:
Dead Leaves & the Dirty Ground
I Think I Smell A Rat
(Yer Blues)
When I Hear My Name
Icky Thump
Lafayette Blues
Sugar Never Tasted So Good
Hotel Yorba
I'm Finding It Harder To Be A Gentleman
The Big Three Killed My Baby
Now Mary
(Stones In My Passway)
Catch Hell Blues (w/ Little Bird)
I'm Slowly Turning Into You
Same Boy You've Always Known
As Ugly As I Seem
300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues
Astro
Jack the Ripper

Encore:
Blue Orchid
Party of Special Things To Do
Ball & Biscuit
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

DJ ÖTzi Ein Stern Hey Baby Lyrics

Hey Baby by DJ ÖTzi

Lyrics for DJ ÖTzi song, Hey Baby:

O.K. Seniorinos and Kalavieros, Ladies und Gentlemens, meine Damen und Herren
Hey Baby von the Seven-Teens, O.K put your hands up in the air, die Hnde in die Hhe
Und everybody sing Know, uno trees quadro )

Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl
Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl

When I saw you walking down the street ,I said thats a kind of girl i'd like to meet
She's so pretty, Lord she's fine ,I'm gonna make her mine all mine

Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (oh ooh) if you'll be my girl
(ok everybody in the house)
Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl

When you turned and walked away ,Thats when I want to say
C'mon baby, give me a whirl , I want to know , I want to know
When you turned and walked away ,Thats when I want to say
C'mon baby, give me a whirl , I want to know if you'll be my girl


Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl (come on know)
Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl (everbody know)

And now the Finale (Tonartwechsel)

Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl (come on know)
Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl (everbody know)


Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl
Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl

Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl
Hey, hey hey baby! (Uh, Ah) I want to know (ooh) if you'll be my girl


Check out the You Tube Video for Hey Baby!

See DJ ÖTzi's Official Website here!

Check out DJ Destrovega, Tuesday nights 9PM to 12AM EST on Total Gamer Radio!

Return to Escalator Music Blog here.

2006 Music in Review

Well... 2006 wasn't exactly what I had expected musically... many high-profile releases failed to match their hype, others never came to fruition. There were some very pleasant surprises though, and here's what I had strong opinions about this year...


Top 20 Albums of 2006:


1. Apathy – "Eastern Philosophy"” - The best album I heard this year. I have been waiting for a true Apathy debut ever since I heard him in 2000. Six years was well worth the wait. Apathy touches every kind of true hip-hop aspect here: Boom-bap, battle rhymes, incredible flow, brilliant lyrics, and creative concepts - all with dope beats and precise DJ scratching. Not to mention it's basically an ode to CT. Now if only his major label, Atlantic, would push him into stardom. He really is that talented.

Highlights - "1,000 Grams," "9 to 5," "Chemical" and "The Winter"


2. The Raconteurs – "Broken Boy Soldiers" - An album that is infinitely better than the last White Stripes' disc, Jack White gets together with a few friends and creates a stripped-down, hard rock album of short but sweet tracks. Basically came out of nowhere, and is one of the most solid rock albums in a year where mainstream rock was basically silent for the most part.

Highlights - "Steady as She Goes," "Level" and "Broken Boy Soldier"


3. Gnarls Barkley – "St. Elsewhere"” - DangerMouse does it again, this time with the help of Cee-Lo Green, ex-Goodie Mob member whose two solo albums showed flashes of brilliance, yet fell totally on deaf ears. It seems Danger has the golden touch to not just make totally different music from what you hear today, but somehow finds a way to break it into the mainstream. Excellent from start to finish.

Highlights - "Crazy," "St. Elsewhere," "Who Cares" and "Just a Thought"


4. Ghostface Killah – "Fishscale" / "More Fish" - Two albums in one year from the most consistent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The real gem here is "Fishscale," where Ghost tears through soul sample after soul sample. Not to be overlooked is "More Fish," which basically serves as a B-Side album, but is almost as good as "Fishscale," yet not as cohesive. Now, can we get that GhostDOOM album this year please?

Highlights - "Be Easy," "Kilo," "Underwater," "Back Like That (Remix)," "Alex (Stolen Script)" and "The Champ"


5. Beck – "The Information" - Back in 1994, hearing "Loser" on MTV constantly, I never thought Beck would still be relevant in music today, yet he somehow keeps getting better. "The Information" is a more cohesive album than last year's "Guero," really keeping a solid direction of songs constant throughout. Beck has already shown he can do just about anything musically.

Highlights - "Think I'm in Love," "Nausea" and "Cellphone's Dead"


6. J. Dilla – "Donuts" / "The Shining" - 2006 was a career highlight for J. Dilla in terms of popularity and production. It was also, unfortunately, the end of his life. He died a drawn out death from a rare disease, and these two albums are some of his last work. The first, "Donuts," is an instrumental album that any DJ would aspire to hope to create at any point during their career. "The Shining," on the other hand, was an album full of guest MC's, rapping over even more excellent Dilla beats. He was one of the best, and most overlooked by the mainstream, but he was behind much of the most influential early mainstream hip-hop music.

Highlights - "Workinonit," "Two Can Win," "Love" and "Love Movin'"


7. The Roots – "Game Theory”" - What can be said that hasn't already about The Roots. They bring some of the most creative and artistic music to hip-hop today. If "Phrenology" is their highlight, "Game Theory" is right behind, experimenting with new sounds and still holding true to the band's roots. Def Jam's banner year continues.

Highlights - "Don't Feel Right," "Game Theory" and "Here I Come"


8. Tool – "10,000 Days" ” - An epic album in every sense of the word. Maynard James Keenan experiments with unique vocals while many tracks are devoted to instrumental landscapes. Not quite the Tool of old, but right up there with the best rock has to offer today.

Highlights - "The Pot," "10,000 Days" and "Rosetta Stoned"


9. Lupe Fiasco – "Food & Liquor" - After hearing the advance of this album, I wondered what all the hype was about. Lupe then returned with a refined album that showcases all the talents he can bring to the table. One of the most honest and diverse debuts in hip-hop in the last 10 years. Lupe should have a long and bright future ahead of him.

Highlights - "The Cool," "Kick, Push" and "Daydreamin'"


10. The Game – "Doctor’s Advocate" - A total shock to me, I threw the Game into the category of a 50 Cent or DMX, where their first album is fresh, different, and really good... only to have their "style" played out early and never capture the lightning in a bottle their debut served up. The Game basically proves anyone with that thought totally wrong, even more surprising considering neither 50 nor Dre have his back any longer.

Highlights - "It's Okay (One Blood)" "Let's Ride" and "Wouldn't Get Far"


11. Lady Sovereign – "Public Warning"” - Time to catch some hate... 90% of people who hear Lady Sovereign will hate her with a passion. The other percentage will appreciate the originality and passion to make music that is different and fun. The flow can't be argued, and the electronic-style beats really bring out Sovereign's unique style. Hey, Jay-Z signed her after one live performance, I think he might be able to see talent. Easily lumped into the British pool that contains The Streets, Dizzee Rascal and M.I.A. Just look at related searches on Amazon.

Highlights - "Love Me or Hate Me," "Fiddle with the Volume" and "My England"


12. Jedi Mind Tricks – "Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell"” - While MC Vinnie Paz might be too much for some to take, you can't say anything negative about the production from Stoupe. The group brings fourth their best album yet, another underground hip-hop standout this year.

Highlights - "Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story," "Heavy Metal Kings" and "Razorblade Salvation"


13. Wolfmother – "Wolfmother"” - Not too many rock releases grabbed me thew way Wolfmother did this year. While they definitely show an ode to classic rock groups (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest), they show enough of their own style on the album to establish themselves as a viable kick-ass band. They also show a different style from today's current rock bands, with sprawling songs that you think are over well before you actually get to the next track.

Highlights - "Woman," "White Unicorn," "Joker & The Thief" and "Mind's Eye"


14. Justin Timberlake – "Futuresex/Lovesounds" / Nelly Furtado – "Loose"” - What do these albums have in common? The answer... groundbreaking production, yet again, from beat virtuoso Timbaland. Timberlake's album is the more cutting-edge of the two, with futuristic sounds never heard in music before. Furtado's album is somewhat more harnessed, but just as stellar. Banner year for Timbo in '06.

Highlights - "My Love," "Lovestoned" and "Maneater," "Say it Right"


15. Clipse – "Hell Hath No Fury" - The Clipse return with some more of the same drug-rap storytelling they featured on their debut album, with the same vicious flow they have always showcased. The Neptunes bring what could be the last of their great production to the table, as their sound has really started to wear thin, especially on a mainstream level.

Highlights - "Mr. Me Too," "Ride Around Shining" and "Chinese New Year"



16. Lily Allen – "Alright, Still"” - I have always liked pop music that actually has some substance and bite to it, and Lily Allen is the epitome of that. That sarcastic dig is no more prevalent than on the lead-single "Smile," which definitely sets the scathing tone for the entire album. The American version shows up in stores at the end of the month.

Highlights - "Smile," "Everything's Just Wonderful" and "Alfie"


17. Peeping Tom – "Peeping Tom" - Mike Patton returns with possibly his most diverse album to date, which might be hard to believe considering all the various projects he has dabbled in in his long career. This album has more of a hip-hop feel than his other projects, with some electro music spread throughout. Lots of guest producers and vocalists.

Highlights - "Mojo," "Kill the DJ" and "Getaway"


18. Basement Jaxx – "Crazy Itch Radio"” - Yet another solid album from the dance music masters. Not as stellar as their last album, but with 4 straight excellent albums, who have to wonder when the winning streak will come to an end...

Highlights - "Oh My Gosh," "Run 4 Cover" and "Smoke Bubbles"


19. Zero 7 – "The Garden" ” - Much different than their previous albums, the men behind Zero 7 decide to go towards a more organic sound. A different direction for the group, but still as good as their other work.

Highlights - "Futures," "The Pageant of the Bizarre" and "Throw it All Away"


20. Murs & 9th Wonder – "Murray’s Revenge" / Aceyalone & Rjd2 – "Magnificent City" - Two albums that feature entire production from one producer. Murs and 9th Wonder team up for their second collaboration, a blazing 30 minutes of soul samples and sharp rhyming. Meanwhile, Rjd2 lays down the amazing soundscape for Aceyalone, who hasn't sounded so hungry since "A Book of Human Language".

Highlights - "Murs Day," "LA" and "Supahero," "Fire"



Top 20 Singles of the year:

1. Gnarls Barkley – "Crazy" - Don't lie, you know this has been in your head from the first time you heard it. Easily the most infectious song to be released this year... sounds even better live.

2. Jay-Z – "Kingdom Come" - The best Jay had to offer on his new album. Just Blaze (who should have produced the whole album) laces Jay with a vicious Rick James sample. The hungriest Jay sounded all year.

3. Lupe Fiasco – "Kick, Push" - A rap throwback, the classic storytelling rhyme, and this one isn't even about drugs or violence! Lupe likes to skateboard, the public doesn't like skateboarders. Slick Rick is proud.

4. Jim Jones – "We Fly High" - "BAAALLLIIINNNN!!!" Jim Jones is no Rakim, but it's songs like these that can make you appreciate shitty mainstream rap music once in a while.

5. Massive Attack– "Live With Me" - If Massive Attack's new album "Weather Underground" is anything like this new track off of their greatest hits album, the group looks to be in for a triumphant return to form.

6. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "Dani California" - Easily the best song on a tedious and bloated double-album from the Peppers, who's best days are clearly 10 years behind them.

7. Hi-Tek - "Where it Started At (NY)" - The best use of a vocal sample in hip-hop this year, slightly ahead of Lupe Fiasco's "Daydreamin'". Jadakiss, Talib Kweli and Raekwon absolutely destroy the beat, while new-jack Papoose shows he can also get busy on the mic.

8. Snoop Dogg – "Vato" - Snoop hasn't sounded this gangsta since "Bitch Please".

9. Nelly Furtado – "Maneater" - Not as popular as her lead single, but this Hall & Oates inspired tune is light-years ahead of it. A definite club-banger.

10. Peeping Tom – "Mojo" - Shows what could have been had Dan the Automator produced the whole Peeping Tom album as originally planned. Still a great album, but this is the best Patton has to offer on his diverse disc.

11. Sia – "Breathe Me" - It's official, Zero 7 needs Sia more than she needs them. Funny how this song sounds more like a classic Zero 7 record than almost anything on their new album.

12. Christina Aguilera – "Ain’t No Other Man" - DJ Primier shocks his longtime followers, me included, and produces Aguilera's most daring music of her very promising career. Give her credit for reaching out to him, give him credit for really coming through in the clutch with a new sound.

13. The Raconteurs – "Level" - Great rock song off of a great rock album. Not much else to say.

14. Ludacris – "Grew Up a Screw Up" - Great vocal sample provided by Biggie, while Ludacris does his usual attack on the microphone. Great production and a solid guest turn by Young Jeezy. Like him or not, you can't question Luda's skills.

15. Chamillionaire – "Ridin’" - Big enough to be parodied by Weird Al, that deserves props in my book.

16. Rhymefest – "Brand New" - Rhymefest won a grammy before even dropping an album, he helped write "Jesus Walks" with Kanye West. Kanye returns the favor here, supplying a bass-heavy beat and lending a solid guest verse. Solid debut for Rhymefest.

17. My Chemical Romance – "Welcome to the Black Parade" - Not quite "Helena," but still pretty catchy. You can easily see the group knows how to write stellar songs.

18. Kool Keith – "Celestial" - You think Keith has gone through the motions until he "shows you he can flip many styles". He then proceeds to go apeshit, all over spaced-out beats.

19. Soul Position – "Blame it on the Jager" - Rjd2 on the boards, on a song about Jägermeister. What's not to love?

20. Fall Out Boy – "This Ain’t a Scene It’s An Arm’s Race" - The song has only been out a few weeks and if the new album follows in the same path, expect a monster.



Most disappointing albums of 2006:


1. The Killers - "Sam's Town" - What does a band do when they have a pretty cool, new sound and critics and fans alike all have their ear turned towards their music? They decide to put out an album that contains basically none of the elements that made them big, instead it features songs that sound like Springsteen and U2 covers. Sounds as if management got into the band's head, telling them how big they could be if they set their sights on sounding like Bono. Puzzling.


2. Jay-Z – "Kingdom Come" / Nas – "Hip-Hop is Dead"” - Two hyped albums that failed to live up to the buzz. Jay-Z had 2 years to record and take his time, and I thought he would take advantage of that and create a masterpiece. Opps... Jay instead dropped his weakest album yet, he sounds like he's slept-rhymed through most of it. The Dr. Dre production is also lackluster. Nas on the other hand, released an album most people seem to love. I'm not one of those people. He used the same sample on his lead-single as he did on his last album's lead-single... what? I have never been a fan of hooks when Nas does them himself, and he does it a lot here. Sub-par production on this album too.


3. Pharrell - "In My Mind" - Where to begin? Pharrell created some buzz with the lead-single, then went through about a year of delays. The album finally came out, and sometime in between P forgot how to flow to beats as if he had never recorded before. And how about keeping some of your better beats for yourself dude? They are going to re-record this album like N*E*R*D did with their debut, hopefully it turns out just as good.


4. Lloyd Banks - "Rotten Apple" - Should have titled it "Rotten Album". Banks showed lots of promise on his great debut album, then follows it up with this piece of garbage. Cliche' from start to finish. It further shows that G-Unit is that much closer to saying G-G-G-G-Goodbye.


5. Gwen Stefani - "The Sweet Escape" - The definition of a rushed job. Stefani tries to strike while the iron is hot, but basically drains any buzz she had going for her solo career. Leftover Neptune tracks, dicey collaborations and too many different sounding tracks spell the recipe for a huge letdown. I guess a new No Doubt record could now be closer though, and that's a great consolation prize.


Well, that's about it. Feel free to share some opinions... Here's to a great sounding 2007.