Top Ten CD Releases of 2006

Like every other top ten list that gets released towards the end of the year the picks you will find on this list are a bit arbitrary. Two things must be kept in mind when thinking about any list of artists. The goal is not necessarily to say who the best was and who the worst of the year was. In many instances common sense should already dictate that (see American Idol or Rockstar Supernova to get a taste of the insipid). What this and other lists hopefully represent are the artists who tried to either do or say something new this year. These lists should represent artists who tried to challenge pre-conceived notions about what popular music can be. Some of the artists on this list(TV on the Radio, Gnarls Barkley) did just that with their releases while others( Butch Walker, Robert Randolph) simply revamped and updated traditional styles already made popular but did so with a unique style and flair. In these days of reality TV and marketing and promotion it can be truly difficult to find new, daring, cutting edge artists. This list will hopefully help all those who seek such artists or those folks who are looking for a great stocking stuffer! Enjoy the top ten lest of cds released in 2006. Stay tuned for the top ten indie releases of 2006…

1.) Gnarls Barkley - St Elsewhere
This selection should come as no surprise. The tag-team of DJ/producer Danger Mouse and rapper/signer Cee-Lo Green created the feel good soundtrack for the summer and the year. It combined aspects of soul, hip-hop, funk, rock and alternative into a seamless package. This is Cee-Lo (formerly of the Goodie Mob) at his best as a singer and rapper. Danger Mouse serves up the tastiest of beats and music as the two set out to make music that is daring, bold and just plain fun. It defied categories and genres and their hit single "Crazy" is still a staple on urban as well as alternative radio. Their cover of The Violent Femmes "Gone Daddy, Gone" solidifies the fact that this is a duo whose main concern is making music rather than fitting a demographic. St. Elsewhere is a perfect example of what can happen when two people set out to make music and have fun.

2.) Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist
The Deftones have found it hard to duplicate the sonics from their break through disc White Pony. On Saturday Night Wrist, "the tones" come very close by bringing back their winning combination of Sabbath styled riffs, angst ridden lyrics and subtle hip-hop elements. The disc explodes out of the gate with tunes like "Hole in the Earth" and "Rapture" and it never lets up. Chino Moreno emotes with intensity on the disc while the band backs his play with brutal riffs and a virtual wall of noise. The group was on the brink of breaking up as this record was recorded and you can almost hear the band tension in every note and every piercing scream.

3.) Jurassic 5 - Feedback
Just when you think real hip-hop is down for the count along come LA's own Jurassic 5 to pump new life into the art form. Feedback is the perfect summer time block party record. The disc is a perfect blend of fat beats, intricate lyrics, the Dave Mathews band (believe it or not) and a vibe that truly resurrects all of the positive cultural aspects of the genre. The good times run throughout the disc even when the group takes on their hip-hop brethren who don't think they are street enough in, "Where We At" and also when they make the genre take a look at itself in the mirror with, "How Did We End up like This?"

4.) The Roots - Game Theory
The Roots have solidified their place as one of the best live bands in any genre. On their latest disc The Roots couple their musicianship with a lyrically dark atmosphere that has not been seen on past releases. From the war in Iraq to Hurricane Katrina to mourning the loss of fellow rappers to senseless violence, the Roots fire up a stirring set of music with lyrics that are as poignant as they are political about the issues of the day. Rapper, Black Thought truly comes into his own as a lyricist and an MC on this record and as usual drummer/bandleader Amir (Questlove) Thompson directs the group masterfully with his thoughtful production. Make no mistake, on Game Theory the Roots are tired of playing games. This band is angry and they are not going to take it anymore.

5.) TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Art has truly found itself back in the realm of rock music thanks to the Brooklyn quintet TV on the Radio. The bands disc Return to Cookie Mountain is awash in layers of soundscapes, hidden melodies and intricate syncopation. From barbershop styled vocals to indie punk the disc runs the gambit. The band seems to pride itself on having a sound that bridges the divide between indie rock and art school ensemble. If you are looking for a disc that will challenge the senses, find this one, grab a pair of headphones and enjoy the view from Cookie Mountain. It is indeed haunting as it is beautiful.

6.) P.O.S - Audition
Product of society, promise of skill and promise of stress are just a few of the names Stefan Alexander has used to explain what his moniker P.O.S stands for. Whatever the name means, there is no denying that P.O.S stands for progressive harsh sounding rap that cuts through the bling, bling and leaves rhymes of 36 inch rims in the dust. Audition is equal parts hip-hop, punk and hardcore. It is thoughtful clever and jarring all at once. Alexander may not know every single line written in the Patriot Act but he wants you to read it, be angry about it and do something about it. While other mcs may want you to wave your hands in the air P.O.S urges you to, "stand up and let me know who's here… tear apart the machine and rage against the gears!!"

7.) Pete Yorn - Night Crawler
Night Crawler is Pete Yorn's third disc in a musical trilogy. While at times some of Yorn's tunes are shamefully derivative, there is no denying he still has a knack for combining sharp melodies with heady, introspective lyrics. His ballads are moving and the rock numbers come alive with a type of passion that was lacking in his second release. Night Crawler's lyrics and music get underneath your skin for a wonderful blend of rock and introspective thought.

8.) Robert Randolph and the Family Band - Colorblind
Combining rock, gospel and soul can be a heady mix but Robert Randolph makes it look easy. On their second disc Randolph and the Family band turn up the soul and the steel pedal guitar for a bold eclectic mix of music. Randolph and his band blast through their brand of gutbucket rock and soul with the greatest of ease and even slip in the Doobie Brothers "Jesus is Just Alright" for good measure. With their second release Robert Randolph and the Family Band may have solidified their place as front runners in the jam band scene.

9.) Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun
Ben Harper and his band the Innocent Criminals turn in another eclectic mix of rock, funk, blues and folk. On his first double cd, Harper has one disc to represent his mellower side while disc two sees Harper and the Criminals cutting loose on more rock driven numbers. Harper may have stumbled in releasing a dual disc and his mix of music will certainly encourage his critics yet again to shout from the highest rooftop "Pick a genre!!" It is clear however, Harper only has time for his devoted fan base who get and appreciate his style (or in this case styles) of music. Harper and his band shine on the rock influenced R&B cuts "Better Way" and "Get it Like You Like It".

10.) Butch Walker- The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let's Go Out Tonites: Yes Butch Walker is indeed responsible for some of today's shiny pop music and he did serve as the producer for the ill conceived train wreck that is Rockstar: Supernova but don't hold that against him. On his latest solo disc Walker summons the spirit of T. Rex, Marc Bolan and "Ziggy Stardust" era Bowie for a truly glam infested party record. The vibe slows down only for a moment to allow for a piano ballad or two. It's been a while since rock music has served up this kind of celebration and B.W. makes for an amusing, metaphor laden host.