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.