Listmania!
Early Jewels for 2006
At War with the MysticsAt War with the Mystics by The Flaming Lips
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.74
Amazing new album by the Lips. In some cases combining the best of Bulletin and Yoshimi. Quite remarkable indeed.
Morph the CatMorph the Cat by Donald Fagen
Buy new: £6.78 / Used from: £3.95
Superb new album by Fagen. The word "flawless" will come to mind often, whether referring to the music or lyrics contained here. Almost as good as Nightfly.
Stadium Arcadium [2CD Digipak Edition]Stadium Arcadium [2CD Digipak Edition] by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Buy new: £11.18 / Used from: £2.09
Stunning new album. Two discs full of power, heart and superb musicianship. Frusciante's work is extraordinary.
CeasefireCeasefire by Emmanuel Jal & Abdel Gadir Salim
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £2.17
Powerful musical statement from Jal & Salim. A call to peace in Sudan to the sound of infectious grooves and moving cadences. Hip Hop meets ancient African lore. See my review on item's page.
Rabbit Fur CoatRabbit Fur Coat by Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
Buy used from: £6.98
Lewis go off Rilo Kiley's road and joins the Watson Twins for this mellow and hearftfelt gem.
The Avalanche: Outtakes & Extras from the Illinois AlbumThe Avalanche: Outtakes & Extras from the Illinois Album by Sufjan Stevens
Buy used from: £7.36
Call it Part Two rather than "outakes," since several of these tracks could have deservedly belong in Illinoise. more magic from Sufjan.
American V: A Hundred HighwaysAmerican V: A Hundred Highways by Johnny Cash
Buy new: £5.08 / Used from: £4.00
Cash returns in what promises to not be the last batch of American Recordings—his collaborations with Rick Rubin. The tone is austere and Cash is particularly prophetic, without losing his tenderness.
Cê by Caetano Veloso
Buy new: £14.19 / Used from: £5.30
This is Veloso stripped down to a basic Rock trio formation, invoking Punk, Tropicalia Funk or gorgeous ballads as his spirit commands it
Game TheoryGame Theory by The Roots
Buy used from: £6.93
Powerful album, demonstrarting that that strong political messages do not need to sacrifice passion, art or magnificent grooves. A gem for troubled times.
ConectorConector by Héctor Buitrago
Buy new: £12.69 / Used from: £3.18
Incredible solo album by the Aterciopelados, including some of Andrea Echeverri's most inspired singing. It'll touch you spiritually and make your body move.
Fox Confessor Brings the FloodFox Confessor Brings the Flood by Neko Case
Buy used from: £4.30
Possibly Neko Case's best, which is not a causal thing to say given her prior albums. Even if you never heard her voice, go and purchase it.
St. ElsewhereSt. Elsewhere by Gnarls Barkley
Buy used from: £3.26
Great collaboration between Danger Mouse & Cee-Lo. Soul, Hip-Hop and Electronica combined to take Mouse's vision further without losing its innate groove.
Through The WindowpaneThrough The Windowpane by Guillemots
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £0.59
Some of the most innovative Pop to have come out all year. Although it may not directly remind you of their sound and gut-wrenching honesty, the Guillemots rank with the Arcade Fire.
Guapapasea!Guapapasea! by Gecko Turner
Buy new: £19.99 / Used from: £5.95
Smooth, funky but not hurried, sensual, contagious grooves ... El Gecko delivers a chill-out gem.
LenineLenine by Lenine
Buy new: £19.99 / Used from: £4.17
Lenine is a great example of his country tradition for soft boundaries and creative combinations. Lenine proves that a desire for experimentation does not need to trade off infectious rhythms.
Le FilLe Fil by Camille
Buy new: £10.88
At times compared to Bjork because of his ability to turn hs voice into a far-reaching instrument and her deft use of electronica, Le Fil is the work of an artist who's mature and talented beyond her.
The Road to EscondidoThe Road to Escondido by JJ Cale and Eric Clapton
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £4.19
Cale & Clapton, friends for many years, recorded the album you'd imagine they'd record. Laid back, full of unassuming killer grooves. It just grows on ya'.
Other People's LivesOther People's Lives by Ray Davies
Buy used from: £6.19
Davies' lyrics and their sharp commentary on human affairs does not seem to have suffered a bit. Several songs deserve to be added to his classics treasure chest.
Living Like a RefugeeLiving Like a Refugee by Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £5.96
Hailing from the refugee camps of Sierra Leone, home to the tragedies of blood diamonds, these guys—refugees themselves—have produced one of the most life-affirming albums of the year.
Under the SkinUnder the Skin by Lindsey Buckingham
Buy new: £7.68 / Used from: £1.98
Buckingham, rightful heir to Brian Wilson's Pop kingdom, has recorded an album as carefully crafted and moving as any of his prior work. An album of a talented man who found his peace.
Lamp FallLamp Fall by Cheikh Lô
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £1.75
Once a protegee of the great Youssou N'Dour, Lo has proven with this, his third album, that his music stand on hiw own and have much more to offer than recereating the master's vision.
The Letting GoThe Letting Go by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Buy new: £9.38 / Used from: £10.96
Fine new work by Oldham. To say it's quiet is not great news, yet it is its intimate feel I have not sensed as deeply in prior albums. Recorded in Iceland, its heart still breaks through glaciers.
DonutsDonuts by J Dilla
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £8.20
Not being an expert on Hip-Hop I did not know what to expect but I can tell you what I found: an amazing album of samples and breakbeats weaved together into a gorgeous contemporary soundtrack.
Hello Young LoversHello Young Lovers by Sparks
Buy used from: £2.21
Imagine Zappa's mind for social commentary and unpredictable musical turns combined with Brian Wilson's deft harmonies and pristine production sound ... and imagine this is much more their own thing.
Streets of New YorkStreets of New York by Willie Nile
Buy used from: £13.95
Equal parts uncompromising rocker and deep poet, Nile returns with his strongest alnum in many, many years. Next to Lofgren, the most soulful Rock to come out this year.