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.