Year End Special, Vol 2: Honorable Mentions

Not everyone made the cut on the high school hockey team, but that didn't mean they sucked (or maybe that's just my opinion - having never made any school team...ever). Anyways, I found these albums highly enjoyable, but they didn't quite make my top ten list. They were lacking in things like originality, consistent greatness or repetitive listening ability. These are in no particular order, and definitely should be checked out.

1. The Long Winters – Putting the Days to Bed : I'm hoping that John Roderick will carry the torch of incredible Northwestern indie rock now abandoned by Colin Meloy (of the Decemberists) and Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie). Look here for breezy, autumnal acoustic (mostly) rock.
   
2. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped : This album was a pleasant surprise for me, since I had been exposed to Daydream Nation only about a year ago and haven't yet gotten into it. Their playing here is organized and melodic, as they stay true to their old style (they practically defined the term "wall of sound") while turning down the distortion.
   
3. Serena-Maneesh – S/T : Don't compare this Norwegian group to My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive, despite the fact that they are riding the crest of a shoegaze resurgence. Instead, allow them to demonstrate that shoegaze (that is, dreamy or ambient indie rock) with a hint of psychedelia and a dash of worldly flair can exist separately from those bookmark references.
   
4. Thom Yorke – The Eraser : All things considered, the leader of Radiohead did not let us down on his first solo effort. The music is technically similar to Kid A and Amnesiac, but it sounds fresh. The songs work like indie electronic ballads showcasing Yorke's haunting voice.
5. Subtle – For Hero: For Fool : This group just can't be described with common adjectives. Personally, I feel like they are way more successful than TV on the Radio at creating a new sound cominbing hip hop, rock, and electro. One thing is for sure - they demand attention.
   
6. Jim Noir – Tower of Love : If you threw Badly Drawn Boy, Beck, the Beatles, and the Beach Boys in a blender, this is what you'd get (minus all the blood and guts, of course). This bedroom recording project from the British bloke is quite impressive, and is sure to inspire many budding solo musicians to do the same.
   
7. Yo La Tengo – I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass : From one point of view, this is a wonderful slideshow of every strengh the group has ever displayed. From another, it's yesterday's news. Also, the albums where they stick to one mood or theme may be more memorable (see And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out and Summer Sun). You decide.
8. The Essex Green – Cannibal Sea : Sasha Bell has a casual, yet completely addictive voice that seems transported straight from the 1960s. This group (along with Camera Obscura and others) helped to make 2006 the year of indie pop.
   
9. Junior Boys – So This is Goodbye : Add another point for our neighbors to the north. These Canadians owe much to 80s groups like Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode, but also to newer electronic pop bands like the Postal Service.
   
10. Ratatat - Classics : The next in a growing line of bands to put a tiger in their album art (including The Go! Team and The Big Sleep). This is instrumental indie rock with dual guitars and a drum machine, and it makes surprisingly good Christmas music (go figure).