Music of 2006.

I'm long overdue on this post, but I figure it's better late than never. By now many of you music lovers have read countless Best of 2006 lists (Pitchfork, Harp, bloggers, etc.) so I'll spare you my own, especially since it's almost March now.

Rather than call this a true "Best of," or even my own personal Top 10, I'll just consider this post a wrap-up of the best of what I heard in 2006. The reason I say this is because I am well aware that for no good reason at all, there are many new releases that I failed to get my ears on or otherwise was not able to completely absorb (Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice, and Lily Allen come immediately to mind). Actually, there are probably at least a dozen releases I am certain would qualify as fantastic music had I given myself the chance to hear all of it, and this is what is most frustrating to me.

On the other hand, I was able to hear many other wonderful things that I am happy to plug right now. In no particular order, here follows a quick list of my personal favorites that came out in 2006...

M. Ward :: Post-War



The man with the raspy old school radio-voice found a band to back him up on this album, and with rollicking guitars and some wonderful guest vocalists (Neko Case and My Morning Jacket's Jim James), the result is incredible and possibly my favorite M. Ward effort to date. He has a way of transporting the listener to a different time while keeping a fresh and current sound. Something about his music makes me feel nostalgic and thoughtful. On my first listen, the sense of familiarity and instant connection made me feel as if I'd heard the song years ago and the sound of Ward's voice was bringing me back to an old memory.

Band of Horses :: Everything All The Time



An amazing debut album from a new addition to the Sub Pop family. This one received tons of blogger press, but the hype was worth it in the end. They've got a kinda Shins-y sound with more reverb and big guitars.

The Decemberists :: The Crane Wife



The major label debut from one of my favorite bands was not a disappointment. Sure, it took me a few listens to get into it, and it's definitely not my favorite Decemberists album, but songs like "The Perfect Crime" are ridiculously addicting and I still heart Colin Meloy.

Cat Power :: The Greatest



This was one of the first new albums I heard in 2006, and I was hooked from the first note of the "The Greatest," which for me was hands-down one of the best songs of the year. After learning some background on Chan Marshall and the incredible journey she's been through -- and the state she was in while this album was being made -- I have an immense appreciation for her music and huge respect for her work.

Beirut :: Gulag Orkestar



Speaking of respect for musicians, Zach Condon is the man behind Beirut, and it's important to note that he's still a teenager (19) and he's set the bar high on his debut creation. He sounds like he's a musical veteran with the sounds and melodies he's created on this album, an indescribable blend of gypsy-folk, complete with accordians and horns and every instrument you can imagine except guitars. If you close your eyes you feel like you could be in a completely different time and place, maybe an intimate picnic somewhere in Eastern Europe.

Vetiver :: To Find Me Gone



When I first heard Vetiver's album, the lead vocals reminded me immediately of one of my favorite UK bands, Turin Brakes. This was another album I listened to based on blogger recommendations, and it was an instantly-catchy, no-nonsense folk/rock album with beautiful melodies.

Islands :: Return to the Sea



I played this for the first time with Auddie in the car, and her reaction was to say, "I feel like we're on a beach." Aside from the band name and album title, songs like "Jogging Gorgeous Summer" that feature Jamaican steel drums certainly invoke a beachy mood. It's rare that I'll blindly get an album based mostly on blogger hype, but after not hearing a single note until I first popped it into my CD player, I was pleasantly surprised with this album, which, I should note, is another debut effort (from former members of The Unicorns). It's poppy, fun, and immediately catchy.

Belle & Sebastian :: The Life Pursuit

I don't think I need to describe the B&S sound to anyone. I pretty much love everything they do, and this album was no exception. Sugary sweet as usual with uplifting melodies and bouncing beats, this is perfect summer driving music that is easily repeatable and instantly addicting.

The Tighten Up Report

Since I haven't been updating WOFTP (new acronym, I guess) as often as I'd like, I thought this would be a good chance to introduce you to a new blog to add to your weekly reads. The Tighten Up Report is the brainchild of my friends Becca and Pepper. It is a wonderfully clever blog forum in which witty and thoughtful persons record "the spectacular failure of individuals and institutions to function at acceptable levels." Please check it out at your leisure... start with the first post to familiarize yourself with the format, and look for continuous updates from a variety of contributors.

Happy Birthday Huan!/Nam Moi

Any year prior to this one, I'd probably get called out by my dear brother for lumping his birthday shoutout with a Happy New Year (Tet) post. However, this year is different. Huan, who has been known in the past to celebrate in style and shout birthday reminders and announcements from the rooftops, is, by his own admission, "over it." To me, that is a true sign of growth and it means he is well-deserving of a birthday blog post! After all, everyone knows I hate to pass up a chance to post fun childhood photos (this one is circa 1985):

Happy Birthday, big bro!

For Part II of this post, I'd like to wish everyone a happy new year. It's the year of the pig, which, as my wise grandfather told me, means everyone should eat well and sleep well. Sounds like a plan to me! Here's also wishing health and happiness to my fam and friends.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

This post is dedicated to my wonderful parents who today celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. I couldn't be happier for them or more proud about this amazing milestone! Thirty years is a long time, but I'm sure for them it seems like only yesterday their lives together were beginning:

Congrats, Mom and Dad. I love you!

JT in the hizzle

I'm a little delayed on this post, but I knew I couldn't go any longer without writing about my experience at the Justin Timberlake concert last Friday at the Verizon Center.

I thought my teenybopper days were behind me, but when the opportunity arose to see my favorite original boybander-turned-legitimate-and-respected-artist/musician in his solo element, I couldn't pass up the chance. After all, FutureSex / LoveSounds is a pretty great album that's ok for even the hipsters to love.

After making our way to our seats and taking in a couple mediocre Pink songs, Steph and I decided it was time for a drink and a tour of the good ol' merch table. Ah, my favorite part of any concert. The only difference was that instead of looking at artsy t-shirts and posters from one of my random indie bands, we were presented with tour programs, key chains, shirts emblazoned with Justin's face, and my personal favorite, a pair of gym shorts with SexyBack written across the behind. Let's just say that after a few early evening cocktails at Fado, Steph could not resist the urge. I, however, kept my credit card in my wallet as I flashed back to 1999 and the Backstreet Boys Millennium Tour when I dropped $40 on an oversized t-shirt that ended up collecting dust on my shelf until I gave it away to some unsuspecting recipient.

Anyway, back to the show. By the time JT came on we were pumped. Despite the fact that he appeared only 3 inches tall from our vantage point, we screamed like little girls when he took the stage in his fancy suit and white sneaks. The stage setup in the middle of the arena was a little awkward -- there was no jumbotron and some of the screens occasionally blocked the view of JT -- but he did a pretty good job of making his way around to the different sides of the arena and playing to the crowd.

After a couple tunes, Justin does the "What up, Washington, DC!?!" speech to make the crowd feel special and explain how happy he is to be there. Then he launches into his responsible celebrity lecture about his visit to Walter Reed hospital and the troops, which would be fine for "Inside the Actor's Studio," but c'mon Justin, it's Friday night and we're trying to relax and be shallow and have a good time. Buzzzzzkill.

Oddly and without warning, less than hour into the show Justin disappears down the nifty circle-stage into the ground, presumably for a quick outfit change between songs...

Then clips of music videos project on the screen as a DJ (ok, pretty sure it was Timbaland) plays a mix of some crowd favorites -- Nelly Furtado, The Fray, someotherpopsongIdon'tknow, more Nelly Furtado -- and suddenly I feel like I'm watching a 99.5 commercial. Where did you go, Justin? Needless to say, my $7 lite beer buzz is donezo after this unexpected intermission that seemed to last forever.

As expected, Justin saved fan favorites "Cry Me A River" and "SexyBack" for the second half or the show, and he even got all profesh and sat behind a piano and strummed a guitar for a few tracks. Not bad, JT, not bad at all. But if I were him, I'd stick to the dancing, cause that's what he does best. I'm such a sucker for those choreographed moves, especially after getting sucked in to MTV's latest J.Lo-produced reality, "Dancelife."

While I regret not catching JT when he played the 9:30 Club (yup, you heard me) last summer, there's something special about paying an exorbitant amount for the big stadium show. There's just a certain camaraderie you can't help but feel when you're standing in that long bathroom line next to the girl with the homemade, shoddily puffy-painted "I Heart Justin" t-shirt. While you would probably never be friends with this person in real life, for that brief time you are under the same roof as Justin, you could be best friends. And that, my friends, is priceless.