Well, it's finally done. Another year in the books. It's been a good one and I am extremely thankful for all the great music that came out this year. I am also extremely thankful for all the people that have commented and sent e-mails over the entire year showing their appreciation for BOAWS. It really means a lot. Anyway, enough of my babbling. Here it is, my 20 favorite albums from this year. I'll probably not be updating until after Christmas, so I hope everyone has a great holiday and a safe one at that. Enjoy!

20. Pinebender – Working Nine to Wolf
[Lovitt]
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Possibly one of Chicago’s loudest bands, however they do it while playing so damn slow. Not to mention they open up Working Nine to Wolf with an almost 14 minute long song. That’s what Pinebender is, completely bombastic in their approach. Their sound is helped by a baritone guitar instead of a traditional bass, giving them an almost psychedelic feel. However, the album is bursting with distortion laden melodies that are so deep and rich that it’s practically worth just sitting there and letting it rattle your walls. Having been recorded at electrical audio, it’s no surprise that this record sounds as good as it does.

Pinebender - Polly Gray [MP3]

19. Channels – Waiting for the Next End of the World
[Dischord]
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I’m glad that J. Robbins felt like coming out from behind the controls to record with his new band this year. I had practically forgotten about this record before it came out because it had been so long since I had heard anything about the band. Seeing the release date listed on AMG practically made me fall out of my chair, and by the time the album was released it was completely worth it. Robbins undoubtedly still has every bit of the enthusiasm and skilled touch that he has been able to apply to every band he has ever been in. His lyrics are even sharper than ever, applying at times some very scathing wit and sarcasm. Although I liked Burning Airlines, Channels is probably the best thing he’s been a part of since Jawbox. Hearing this puts a big old smile on my face and “Helen Mirren” may be one of the best songs I’ve heard all freaking year.

Channels - Helen Mirren [MP3]

18. Rx Bandits - …And the Battle Begun
[Mash Down Babylon]
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If anyone would have told me that I would have an Rx Bandits album on my year end list sometime in the future, then I probably would have laughed and maybe even punched them. I doubt the punching part however as I am pretty skinny and can’t afford to get my ass completely handed to me in a fist fight. It took me until this album to realize what a talented group of musicians this band is made up of. They were just as, if not more, impressive this year live. If I could count their live performance then they would probably be even higher on this list. Such an amazing time and it sounded absolutely flawless. This isn’t your average flash in a pan ska band, so to those who may have written them off like I did for so many years, well…you should probably give them a chance. They’ve come so far from what they initially started as and during the same time have morphed into an amazing band.

Rx Bandits - Only for the Night [MP3]

17. Kayo Dot – Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue
[Robotic Empire]
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I am aware that this was being sold near the end of ’05 while the band was on tour. However, I believe that the CD wasn’t actually released until the beginning of January. So, as you can imagine, this was one of the first records I heard at the beginning of the year. It’s always impressive to me that an album can stick it out a whole year, fending off tons of other releases and still remain to be one of the best records I hear all year. I just find this album so incredibly interesting, with various bits of jazz and its continual nightmarish dreamlike vibe. It’s the perfect album to lie in bed with headphones on and let it completely take over. Even after a year of hearing this, it still remains mysterious and like a completely new listen each time I put it on. Consider me in love with whatever disturbingly surreal and fucked up world that Kayo Dot considers itself a part of.

Kayo Dot - Gemini Becoming the Tripod [MP3]


16. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped
[Geffen]
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After all these years, Sonic Youth still manages to creep on to this list. There just isn’t much to say about them at this point. Rather Ripped is yet another solid record. Oddly enough however is on this album they sound so incredibly settled and, dare I say, consistent? After endless amounts of experimentation over the years it’s with Rather Ripped that they band has finally made a record that could possibly be as close to “pop” as they will ever come. Who knows though? That is what makes Sonic Youth so great in my eyes. They never fail to surprise me with each record they release. And as accessible and relatively clean sounding Rather Ripped is, only they can make it seem like such an off the wall move.

Sonic Youth - The Neutral [MP3]


15. The Paper Chase – Now You Are One of Us
[Kill Rock Stars]
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Although this album is no real departure for The Paper Chase, it kind of brings together all the best qualities from their past releases. Still as creepy and maniacal as ever, their music has been perfectly crafted and put together here on Now You Are one of Us. If there is one thing that The Paper Chase should be considered excellent at doing, it’s the ability to create an atmosphere that makes me feel like I am taking walk through a murderer’s completely warped and eaten mind. For those that haven’t had the pleasure of hearing this, then it should be known that the group employs the use of strings, a piano, and many panic inducing samples to add to the already tortured guitar sound. The vocals from John Congleton only do more to make that vision that much more believable.

The Paper Chase - We Know Where You Sleep [MP3]


14. The Brother Kite – Waiting for the Time to be Right
[Clairecords]
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The new album from The Brother Kite was that of a surprise to me…a big one actually. I had almost completely written off Waiting for the Time to be Right from the get go because of all the press and word of mouth that the band had drastically moved away from the “wall of sound” shoegaze approach they had previously used on their debut album. A lot of the opinions on the album that I saw leading up to its actual release were less than positive, which worried me a bit. I was greatly rewarded though, and this album is even better than their debut in my opinion. Yes, it is quite different, it may even sound like a completely new band to some. Long gone are the swirling guitars and feedback, their sound is much warmer now. They take a note or two from the great pop sound of the 60’s and apply it to the drifting and soothing qualities of dream-pop. They’ve definitely stumbled on to something good here with Waiting for the Time to be Right and it will be a great to hear them continue in this direction.

The Brother Kite - Out of Sight [MP3]


13. Tim Hecker – Harmony in Ultraviolet
[Kranky]
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Tim Hecker is excellent at what he does. Ambience and atmosphere are pretty much the main focus with his records. The warm fuzzy qualities of his music that drone and melt into such beautiful melodies, it’s nearly perfect for so many different settings. I am sure people listen and get a completely different picture in their head than the next, but that’s what is so amazing about his music. Honestly, I picture waking up in a hotel room of some sort with the sunlight beaming through the cracks of the shades. I can’t necessarily see straight yet as I haven’t rubbed my eyes and waken myself fully yet. Stepping up to the window I lift the shades and the light pretty much is blinding. As my eyes adjust I can see the heat coming off the pavement and being near the top floor I can peer over the tops of many buildings and see the haze of humidity loom over a gigantic city. Yeah, that is what I picture when I listen to this album. Maybe at one point it will change, but for whatever reason I like that particular scenery in my head and I need this album in order for it to be provided.

Tim Hecker - Dungeoneering [MP3]


12. Mahogany – Connectivity!
[Darla]
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Although I just posted about it and only heard it recently, this album deserves a spot on here for sure. I am just thankful that I was able to listen to it before I decided to start on this list once and for all. Mahogany is an innovative group of individuals and Connectivity! is all the proof I need to back that statement. Every song on the album is a different offering of driving beats, sparkling guitar, and keyboards. While it is a dream-pop album, it’s full of hooks and catchy melodies that are almost unconventional for that type of music. In the end, I just have an absolute appreciation for the album as it’s truly pushing the envelope when it comes to shoegaze, dream-pop, or anything of the likes.

Mahogany - My Bed is My Castle [MP3]


11. KEN Mode – Reprisal
[Escape Artist]
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KEN Mode stand in my mind as to what I would want my band to sound like if I indeed had a band…and we played noise rock. That sound is, to put it simply, completely fucking huge. While I’ve been a fan of the band for a long time, I don’t think they’ve ever managed to sound any larger than they do here on Reprisal. For being only a three piece, that’s pretty damn impressive. Their music is a bit of a throwback, however a bit touched up for the current times adding a bit more metallic texture to the overall sound. However, it’s the rattling thunder like bass that oh so reminds me of many past great AmRep bands that have now come and gone. I can honestly say I’ll never grow tired of hearing that sick low-end bottom heavy sound that makes my floor rumble whenever I put it on my stereo. Reprisal is a truly heavy and punishing album that hopefully has gained the band a few new fans.

KEN Mode - I Simply Am Not There [MP3]


10. Ventura – Pa Capona
[Get a Life]
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I can’t say enough as to how glad I am that I ran across Ventura this year. When I discovered Pa Capona I was completely floored. Not only because it was insanely good, but because it’s a combination of just about everything that I’ve come to love over the past 15 years of music. It’s also a constant reminder of how much I miss that type of music, the classic post-hardcore sound. It’s just so hard to come by anymore and it really shouldn’t be. Thankfully there are bands out there like Ventura that obviously still remember how great that sound is. Pa Capona is 13 songs of how it’s done. Other bands please take notice and follow suit.

Ventura - I Keep Starting [MP3]


09. Jesu - Silver
[Hydrahead]
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After recording what was my favorite album of 2005 Jesu returned this year with Silver, an EP that has and will hopefully hold me over until their next album Conqueror comes out in early 2007. Silver differs slightly when compared to the bands self-titled debut or even their EP before that, Heartache. While Jesu’s formula is essentially the same, it’s on Silver that it seems like Justin Broadrick has taken the sound to a more hopeful and monumental sound. It’s still every bit as heavy and crushing as their debut, however the songs on Silver find themselves to be more up-tempo at times like on “Star”, which is probably the most diverse piece the group has recorded. Regardless of whether this sound carries over to their next album, Silver is a nice glimpse of what Jesu can do if they do indeed intend on taking a more dynamic and uplifting approach to the composition of their music. Either way, I am and always will be for whatever direction Broadrick decides to take this project. They haven’t failed me yet.

Jesu - Dead Eyes [MP3]


08. Across Tundras – Dark Songs of the Prairie
[Crucial Blast]
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I remember when I first wrote about this album I mentioned that it captured the complete sense of desolation and isolation that the Midwest or the Great Plains can make someone feel after awhile. Across Tundras did a miraculous job in maintaining that vibe throughout the whole album. Even more so is the way they carry out the whole theme through the artwork all the way to the name of the album itself. Of course, the music is the most important element, and the druggy haze of Dark Songs of the Prairie undoubtedly creates a backdrop for what is a practically barren and at times a lonesome place to be in. I’ve seen the album get referenced to Neil Young and the Crazy Horse many times over the year; however I think it’s pretty legit. I mean obviously it doesn’t sound exactly like that, but its evident the bands music has a direct influence from it, which makes it all the more appealing.

Across Tundras - Ramblin' in the Shadows [MP3]


07. Mew - …And the Glass Handed Kites
[Sony]
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While this was out in the UK in ’05, it wasn’t released here in the US until this year. Plus, I hadn’t even heard it until this year. The album is by far and away Mew’s greatest achievement to date. It’s so grandiose and over the top sounding. I am particularly fond of the vocals, which show tremendous range and aside from being absolutely beautiful they are also a bit unlike anything I’ve really heard before. I think I mentioned this when I originally wrote about the album, but it surprises me that it got a major release over here in the US. I do wish it would do well, but I never foresee it gaining much of a following. Sure, it could win over indie audiences, if it already hasn’t. It’s just not the type of accessible or “easy” record to get into but for those that manage to, the payoff is huge. Everything about the album seems to be an oddity and it’s amazing that Mew is able to make it all work with such flawless execution. The only downer about this album is the horrific cover art, which looks like some half assed photo shop job. Despite that, the step that Mew has taken with this album is gigantic and hopefully more people will begin to embrace its abnormality.

Mew - A Dark Design [MP3]


06. Cheer-Accident – What Sequel?
[Pravda]
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There really isn’t much Cheer-Accident can’t do. It’s pretty interesting when a band is self aware of that fact too. Cheer-Accident has been putting out records for years now that constantly push boundaries and ignore any and all rules. Pretty much staples of the avant-rock community, the band released The Why Album in 1994, which at the time sent many into a frenzy wondering what the hell was going on with an album full of straight up pop songs that were even fairly accessible when compared to the bands other output. Well, 12 years later and here we are with the sequel to that album titled What Sequel?. Over that period of time fans of course have come to love The Why Album, as have I, and when I realized they were putting out a sequel to it you can imagine I was pretty excited. Really the album is just like its predecessor. Thymme sings fairly similar to that of which he did on The Why Album and really the songs don’t differ too much in structure and sound than they did the first go around as well. The use of horns and piano are pretty common. I would have actually liked to have heard more horns, but regardless of that it’s still a magnificent album full of greatly written ambitious pop songs that only a band like Cheer-Accident could pull off.

Cheer-Accident - Go Gone Green [MP3]


05. Mission of Burma – The Obliterati
[Matador]
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Time has absolutely no meaning to these guys. The Obliterati brings the rock more than almost any album than I’ve had the chance to hear this year. I would say it’s surprising, but it’s freaking Mission of Burma and if anyone out there was to do it then it would be them. While their previous album OnOffOn was a bit more of a difficult listen, The Obliterati is much more accessible in this area. However, it doesn’t take away from anything as the album is just as aggressive and raw as anyone could have hoped for. I am greatly impressed with how deep and rich sounding the bass is. However the album was recorded with Bob Weston, so I guess it shouldn’t really be all that surprising. For a bunch of guys that is getting up there in the years, they haven’t lost a step. They are still able to out rock the majority of bands that are around today.

Mission of Burma - 2wice [MP3]


04. Traindodge - Wolves
[Ascetic]
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After hearing last years Under the Black Sails EP I was kind of confused as to where Traindodge’s sound was going to go on their next album. I was even more thrown off when I finally got to hear a track off of Wolves. It sounded completely different than what I had envisioned, especially after I felt Under the Black Sails was more of a return to their older On a Lake of Dead Trees math/post-hardcore sound. However, they surprised me with Wolves, which contained 10 songs that are indeed rocking, however in almost a completely new way for the band. The use of synth on the album is much more prevalent than in past releases, and even features a couple songs that are solely based on it alone. After being together for 10 years, Wolves really shows the band maturing into something that will be exciting to witness. Although I’ll always love their older material, it’s really great to see this band heading into unknown territories while still not forgetting to throw in the occasional epic ending as found on “You, The Disaster”.

Traindodge - Wolves [MP3]


03. Mikaela’s Fiend – We Can Driving Machine
[Strictly Amateur Films]
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It’s hard to come up with words for this album. It’s loud, noisy, and fairly unforgiving in its pacing. One song leads into another and before you know it you’re being absolutely bludgeoned to death all over again. Mikaela’s Fiend are only a duo, they are a young duo at that, and somehow or another they are able to create some highly interesting and colossal sounding music from just their guitar and drum kit. It’s just wrong to say that the bands music could simply be passed off as just another couple of kids making a bunch of racket, that’s just not how it is. We Can Driving Machine is simply all about being able to work with one another and completely being able to sense and feel each others direction. The fact that the two are cousins probably plays a big part in that. The ability to create such intensity from it is pretty amazing in itself. Did I mention that it’s only two people? Listening to this now, I still can’t grasp at how they can possibly be this devastating. Hearing the drummer only makes me wish I could witness this chunk of insanity that much more, those poor poor drums.

Mikaela's Fiend - Untitled 10 [MP3]


02. Blunderbuss - Blunderbuss
[Self-Released]
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Although it’s not number one, I can safely say I had to think long and hard about putting it there. I would have never in my wildest dreams thought that there would be another Blunderbuss record. I mean why would have there been? Their last recorded output was sometime in the mid-nineties and even then almost all of it went practically unnoticed. Really, this album was a complete and utter shock to find. It was even more shocking to listen to it and find a band that was probably tighter than ever before. A lot of that can be attributed to the fact that this IS the original lineup with an additional guitarist to help fill out the sound. Listening to this is like stepping into a time warp when noise-rock was at its absolute peak during the 90’s. I can’t even begin to describe just how much this album kills. It just rips through song after song of buzzsaw guitar riffs and with some actual nice melodies thrown in as well. Who would have thought that one of the most complete albums that I’ve heard this year would come from a band that pretty much no one has heard from in years.

Blunderbuss - I am a Prayer [MP3]


01. The Goslings – Grandeur of Hair
[aRCHIVE]
Unavailable
When it came down to it, I had to choose this as my number one album of the year. Why? Well, it’s because it’s so goddamn satisfying to listen to. It’s abrasive, completely in the red, and yet somehow still beautiful despite it sounding like it’s being played out of a wall of blown speakers. Listening to this on a large stereo turned way up is really the only way this record should be listened to, any other way is just limiting its potential to absolutely blow you away. This is without a doubt one of the heaviest albums that has been released all year. It’s filled with an ungodly amount of distortion and fuzz that just surrounds and rattles the Earth. I do believe that it could knock down walls if played at a loud enough volume. Any more listens and I might be purchasing new speakers here in the near future. In all seriousness though, The Goslings are amazing and Grandeur of Hair is such an interesting and accomplished record in that it maintains a certain catchiness and underlying beauty to it that is just so so hard to obtain when creating music that is so naturally abrasive that it will turn off most listeners. However, when it is all said and done, for those that stick with it they’ll find that it’s probably one of the most rewarding albums of the year.

The Goslings - Golden Stair [MP3]