wow, i must have missed it. its a great album, thats for sure.

no. no huge standouts for me like 2005. top album of the year so far, "the life pursuit", would have a tough time cracking last year's top 5.

i will say this year's girth is pretty good and maybe better than last year. few albums remotely disappointing so far.

it's too early to really tell, but

I said "no." It's better but not much better. This one has more promise and I've purchased more albums to date than I had at this point last year but I haven't bought anything that really stands out to me yet. A lot of so-so stuff.

no fucking way.

The Drones/
Broken SOcial Scene

Two of my fav albums of all time.

But yeah, i how you would be into nTHIS YEAR, but im not.

Haven't been blown away by much this year. Don't know how that coincides with this time last year. I know I had my #1 record already figured out by now: M.Ward.
Katie's news of a new record in August my him has my hopes up.

I've been impressed by: Destroyer, Neko Case and Ellen Allien + Apparat so far. Super Numeri is good, but only for when I get high. Gnarls Barkley and Band of Horses are good, but I don't consider them to be the cream of the crop yet. I've also enjoyed the John Fahey tribute record and Jenny Lewis.

SHELVED: The Knife has been shelved for now. The rest of the record doesn't stand up to the excellent "Silent Shout" single. Liars was also shelved simply because it requires attention that I don't have the time to dedicate. Mudhoney didn't impress like We've Become Translucent did. It's a Mudhoney record, which by default, I like, but it's not going to be in my Top 10 or anything. Cat Power - I just have to be in the right mood for her stuff.

I heard some of the new Tool record in my buddy's car the other night, but obviously would need more time with it to form any kind of opinion. Neil Young is a classic stomper, but non-essential, except for a historical record of a modern protest record. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped is a BIG step up from Sonic Nurse, which I should just sell.

Currently out that I need to buy: Drive-By Truckers (have heard the entire record a couple of times), Grandaddy, AFX (don't have a clue why I haven't bought this yet!?!?!).

Releases I want to hear: Hot Chip, Matmos, Gomez, TV ON THE RADIO, Twilight Singers, Primal Scream. Mission of Burma, Mojave 3, M. Ward, Oneida, Thom Yorke, MSTRKRFT, Six Organs of Admittance, Subtle, Spiritualized?

Better, yes, but I don't know if it's WAY better. I though last year was pretty good. But, yes, 2006 is definitely even better.

I thought 2006 started off slow, but now I'm picking up some interesting stuff, so there's hope yet.

the only 06 records that matter to me, no matter how shit or good they are:

cat power
danielson
liars
Sonic Youth

In the whole scheme of things, i mean seriously, what else actually matters?