The First Half of 2006

There has been some great releases so far this year. Here are several that I can't get enough of:

Cold War Kids - Up in Rags EP  [BUY]
Quote that sums them up best: "Overall, The Cold War Kids could be the Southern equivalent of a chemically-sedated, early Modest Mouse fronted by Jack White." [I'm Just Sayin is All]
Best lyric about alcoholism: I promised to my wife and children / I'd never touch another drink as long as I live / But even then it sounds so soothing / This will blow over in time / This will all blow over in time. 
MP3: Cold War Kids - Hospital Beds

Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope [BUY] 
Quote that sums her up best: "Drawing lyrical inspiration from cereal boxes, orca whales, crappy Guns and Roses ballads and the pain/joy of everyday life, Spektor has found a niche in a world with too many Fiona Apple clones." [Kingblind]
Best lyric about Axl Rose solos: “On the radio / you’ll here ‘November Rain’ /  that solo’s awful long / but it’s a good refrain, you’ll listen to it twice / because the DJ is asleep” [On The Radio]
MP3: Regina Spektor - Fidelity

The Metal Hearts - Socialize [BUY]
Quote that sums them up best: "The wonder duo reminds me a lot of a slo-core Pinback. Downbeat melodies, slow tempo and minimal acoustics get this track grooving at just the right amount." [The Test Pilot]
Best lyric about infatuation: "I've been infatuated with you though we've never met / I've got a picture of you I can't forget / It's been like this for me since day one / I feel alone / I feel like midnight's sun" [Midnight's Sun]
MP3: The Metal Hearts - Disappeared

Islands - Return to the Sea [BUY]
Quote that sums them up best: "This album is about all life on earth, evolution, disaster, freedom, love. "Humans" and "Volcanoes" in particular come from that rare breed of song whose imagery is able to be immersed in both the present and the classically universal." [The Mass Is Secretely Obsessed . . . ]
Best lyric about climbing into a whale: "I climbed into the blowhole / In the ribs I found you / With a wick we lit a flame / Now look at the smoke that it blew" [Swans]
MP3: Islands - Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby

Figurines - Skeleton [BUY]
Quote that sums them up best: "They make that patented Built To Spill quirky tunefulness their own on Skeleton, then throw in some slanted Pavement enchantedness and a couple of forlorn Neil Young slow dance moments to keep people guessing." [RegnYouth]
Best lyric about trying to win back a girl: "I parked a bike down the aisle / Had conversation for a while / I long for the ghost towns and July / Your heart still belongs to the new guy" [Ghost Towns]
MP3: Figurines - Rivalry

Other releases I have enjoyed this year:
Voxtrot - Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, Wives EP
Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies
Guillemots - From the Cliffs EP
Division Day - Beartrap Island
Band of Horses - Everything All The Time

Comments

[Jeff]

I'm definitely with you on Voxtrot, Band of Horses, islands and CWK...those albums are sure to make any best of list that I compile. That Islands album really really took me by surprise. Though you know where I stand on this year's releases: Sunset Rubdown is the clear #1. I'm actually listening to Guillemots as we speak for the first time.

[Franny]

Sorry, but November Rain isn't crappy..

I know you didn't write that, but just saying.

[Abercrombie fitch london]

i like it!

thanks you!

i like this website

[winter clothes]

Really make the person touched, appreciate. Good article