Favorite stuff of '06

Loved this one...

Joanna Newsome "Ys"

The other 4 from '6

Califone
Roots & Crowns
A while back, a friend of mine told me about this band Califone he saw opening a show for Wilco. "They were the best band of the night".
Having a hard time grappling with that, I bought this record and...wow.

Danielson
Ships

Since May, repeated playings of Ships lasted me through the year.
This mere fact speaks volumes.

Howe Gelb
'Sno Angel Like You

(Ex-Giant Sand) Howe Gelb's solo record:
sortof Lou Reed meets Tom Waits...or something. Nice.

Centro-Matic
Fort Recovery
I read this internet-bit about Will Johnson meeting Will Sheff (Okkervil River) who had a Proust "Remembrance of Things Past" book tucked under his armpit at a Centro-matic show. I bought this record just because of that story. According to my I-Tunes playcount, I listened to this a lot.
I call this: alt.drive-by-truckers meets Neil Y.'s Crazy Horse, on steroids.

And...a sneak-peek into 2007

Menomena
Wet & Rusting (EP)

I loved this EP, which is the nexus of the next Menomena record due in Jan '07:

Menomena
Friend and FoeI still haven't seen this Portland band play live here, and--once again--will miss an upcoming show at the Crystal Ballroom on the 28th...I'll be in SF. One of these days...love these guys.