Hello young lovers. I haven't been very active here recently as a result of not having much to say and using this board more for interesting reading. Anyway, I figured maybe posting a Top 20 Of 2006 list might be an interesting way of slipping back into the fold.

1. Sparks - Hello Young Lovers
2. The Submarines - Declare A New State!
3. The Tangent - A Place In The Queue
4. Barenaked Ladies - Are Me
5. Nellie McKay - Pretty Little Head
6. The Fiery Furnaces - Bitter Tea
7. OutKast - Idlewild
8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
9. Veruca Salt - IV
10. Staright Mints - Drowaton
11. Mates Of State - Bring It Back
12. The Mars Volta - Amputechture
13. The Flower Kings - Paradox Hotel
14. Les Claypool - Of Whales And Woe
15. Lindsey Buckingham - Under The Skin
16. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
17. Spock's Beard - Spock's Beard
18. Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome
19. The Who - Endless Wire
20. "Weird Al" Yankovic - Straight Outta Lynwood

I don't know about the rest of that Idlewild (how was the movie?), but "Call the Law" was a staple of my running mix this summer. hot jam.

What's your mini-review of this? I wasn't too enamoured with Adam & Eve.

Thanks.

Well, first of all it is a double album (their fourth overall) but it doesn't feel like they tried to fill up two discs. It is probably their least progressive in terms of long songs for progressive sake. When I first heard it, I heard traces of XTC and Frank Zappa, particularly The Unorthodox Dancing Lesson for the latter. I don't know how familiar you are with other Flower Kings albums but this one to me is their most accessible and I could see people who don't really like progressive music liking most of it. Apparently, it is supposed to be a concept album about The Earth being a hotel and we are all guests there. Some of the songs sort of relay that idea but the songs stand alone very well as there is no real story involved. My favourites are Jealousy, Hit Me With A Hit, and Minor Giant Steps. I guess the only downside is having 2 and a half hours to hear it all.

Sounds good, thanks. I am very familiar w/ FK, as I like prog and they're one of my faves. Sounds like I'll be picking this up.

Are you a Porcupine Tree fan as well?

jesus christ

How about that, another one who likes the new album. It was #20 on my list.

it sounded like 1998 to me... in a bad way
right-click delete

14. flaming lips - at war with the mystics

Sounds like 2001.... in a bad way. Don't download.

I heard some Porcupine Tree songs but I couldn't really get into it.

I blanked on that Nellie McKay album but really liked her debut.

Who's on first.

You're referring to this, I suppose?

THIRD BASE!

I DON'T KNOW.

Hi Adam!

How have you been?

I have been swell for the most part. Thanks for asking. By the way, thanks for posting a while back about The Submarines. They add to my love for bands with male and female singers in the vein of The Delgados, Stars, Mates Of State etc.

PM your Yahoo or AIM or whatever screen name to me, we'll catch up.

I love the Submarines disc. Made my top 20 easily. It was a fortunate find as I picked it up based on its cover-art. Also, have you heard the Headlights?

I like Porcupine Tree, actually. Not too far removed from Elephant 6-Of Montreal kind of stuff at times. Keep meaning to pick up more stuff.

They seem like a band that I should like. Maybe I will listen to some of their stuff again.

Let me know if you want to do some trading- some PT for the new FK?