The Sound Of Failure

I found these albums to be thoroughly disappointing in 2006:

5. Calexico
   Garden Ruin

   I always get a little apprehensive about an album when the first track is also the first single. It's like a movie whose trailer can show all the best scenes in 30 seconds.




4. The Flaming Lips
   At War With The Mystics

   The Flaming Lips are a musically inventive band who put on a great live show. But, there is nothing of note on this failed follow-up to Yoshimi...




3. The Raconteurs
   Broken Boy Soldiers

   I would have figured that Jack White could make a good record with my Mom. Put him with Brendan Benson and hey, magical, right? Not so much. On the album cover the band is photographed bruised and bloodied as if they've each been beaten about the head. They must have all banged their heads repeatedly into a wall trying to rid their minds of songs like "Call It A Day."




2. Lupe Fiasco
   Food & Liquor

   I really wanted to like this record: because it was so hyped, because Lupe is a local boy and has a unique persona, because "Kick, Push" is not just a great song, it's an anthem, because so many people think it's a great record. But it's not. There's nothing worth my attention beyond track 4.




1. TV On The Radio
   Return to Cookie Mountain

   Another over-hyped album. This one is especially disappointing because "Wolf Like Me" is my favorite song of the year. But ultimately, TV On The Radio is a band that is powerful yet incoherent. Sort of like the Mike Tyson of Rock.

In The Music

I've updated my best albums of 2005 list to include a couple of releases that I had missed last year and to reflect my current sensibilities:

1. Sufjan Stevens
   Illinoise


2. The New Pornographers
   Twin Cinema


3. Common
   Be


4. The White Stripes
   Get Behind Me Satan


5. Low
   The Great Destroyer


6. Andrew Bird
   The Mysterious Production of Eggs


7. The Decemberists
   Picaresque


8. Wilco
   A Ghost Is Born


9. Little Brother
   The Minstrel Show


10. Swords
    Metropolis

I'm having some difficulty with the 2006 list. Nothing really stands out. But, I've still got a little time to find a star. So help me out. What 2006 recordings stand out for you?

Dead President

He was delicious!

Get Behind Me, Santa!

I did all of my Christmas shopping yesterday--all of it. I also went to mass, made holiday candy and recorded a podcast episode. I'm tired.
Is it just me or did yesterday feel like a Tuesday? My "what day is it?" gyroscope has been really wacky lately.

If you didn't receive a Christmas card from me, it is likely because this year, as with all previous years, I did not send any Christmas cards. Just for the record, it doesn't mean I don't love you. Although, I might not.

Merry Secularmas!

To all my Hebrew brothers out there:



Happy Chanukah!

Ballad of a Comeback Kid

Every once in a while, I peruse this blog's archives and I become nostalgic for some imaginary golden age of alpha charlie bravo whose point in history is constantly shifting. For example, I think 2005 was a good year. 2006 seems to have been all sports and Doctor Who. Speaking of which: I just received the Special Edition Doctor Who Season 2 DVD box set; and is it just me, or has Jeff Garcia become noticeably less lispy?

I've also noticed that I tend to stop writing in November and December. But, I always come back. So be heartened my friends, there is more to come.