Do you listen to copious amounts of music throughout the year, have discerning taste and are a friend of mine? Participate next year. Keep track of your picks and drop me a line next December.

CONTACT
mk (at) mattklimas (dot) com

MATT KLIMAS
DESIGNEr / RICHMOND, VA

top 30

#30

The Avalanche
by Sufjan Stevens

Although hearing "Chicago" in it's various incarnations gets tedious after a while, this collection of studio outakes has many gems. "Pitsfield" and "Sister Winter" (from the Christmas Box) can duke it out over being my favorite Sufjan track of the year.

#29

Are You There // Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain
by Mono and Mono/World’s End Girlfriend

If you're looking for beautiful, epic post-rock, look no further than Mono. Be prepared to spend time with these as almost all the songs clock in at over 12 minutes, but it's so worth it.

#28

Are We Not Horses
by Rock Plaza Central

I love the concept album. Like Sufjan's "Illinois" or Okkervil River's "Black Sheep Boy," this album is connected by thematic threads that reveal a crafted whole. This one is about mechanical horses who believe they are real horses. Let the drama unfold. This is like country music, but artful. Despite its strange conceit, the characters and stories are quite affecting. Bonus points for the chorus of children on "When We Go, How We Go Pt. 2."

#27

Tasankokaiku
by Shogun Kunitoki

Organ prog-rock-electronica outfit Shogun Kunitoki from Helsinki create an album full of drones that are as triumphant as they are lovely.

#26

Songs from Before
by Max Richter

Hauntingly beautiful album mixing piano, cello, spoken word and electronics.

#25

The Brave and the Bold
by Tortoise and Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Chicago electro jazz fusionists team up with folk rocker Will Oldham for an album comprised entirely of cover songs. Their version of Elton John's "Daniel" is a highlight. Definitely not what I expected – I'm not sure what I expected – but great none the less and an exciting collaboration.

#24

So Gone
by The Evangelicals

This album is a beautiful mess. Constantly evolving, it's hard to guess where each track is going, carried by energy and various stylings. "Another Day..." constantly changes tempo, vamping up and down like a rollercoaster, while the last track, "The Water Is Warm" is like a hug. Nice.

#23

Beast Moans
by Swan Lake

While not as cohesive an album as I was hoping for, "All fires" and "The Freedom" are two of my favorite songs of the year. If you can get past the dense layers, you'll find an incredibly rich album.

#22

Rather Ripped
by Sonic Youth

An album where glistening guitars and raucous feedback live together in perfect harmony. One of the most important bands of the 80s, 90s, 00s and still going strong.

#21

Calamity
by The Curtains

An album full of succint sugary-prog-pop from Deerhoof ex-bassist. Inspirational.

#20

Gulag Orkestar
by Beirut

I bought a Ukulele because of this ablum. So wonderfully different sounding, and horns... yeah horns.

#19

Writer’s Block
by Peter Bjorn and John

Scandinavians sure know their pop music. This album is a glorious union of 60s pop and shoegaze guitar washes. Catchy.

#18

It’s Never Been Like That
by Phoenix

The hooks belie the amazing sensitivity to arrangements and production on this album. It never left my car this summer.

#17

Bring It Back
by Mates of State

One electric organ, one drum kit, and one ultra-cute couple results in pure pop bliss. This is their most sophisticated release yet, fleshing out their call-back choruses and harmonies with piano, string and horn arrangements and a creepy/cute cover photo to boot.

#16

Return to the Sea
by Islands

Ecclectic romp from ex-Unicorns frontman. Islands are forever!

#15

Hello, Dear Wind
by Page France

A lo-fi-ish bedroom sing-a-long that's warm and sparkly, full of enigmatic spiritual imagery.

#14

Ships
by Danielson

A chamber-pop opus with assistance from the likes of Deerhoof and Sufjan Stevens. You'll either love the screechy vocals or hate them, like Frank Black on a folk binge.

#13

Destroyer’s Rubies
by Destroyer

Self ascribed "maximalist" weaves a swirling tapestry of layered sound and cryptic lyrics. The sprawling opener "Rubies" is 9+ minutes of epic pop and one of the year's best tracks. Be prepared for la-la-las.

#12

Show Your Bones
by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

More lush than their previous album, YYYs still rock harder than most, and Karen O is sexy.

#11

Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain
by Sparklehorse

Sweetly dark pop album. Lush and fuzzy. Even has a little bit of production magic from DJ Dangermouse.

#10

Ys
by Joanna Newsom

Joanna Newsom is the new Fiery Furnaces, but with a harp.

#9

Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Wives EP
by Voxtrot

I've fallen victim to the torment of Voxtrot's melodies all year, but in a good way. Look out for these guys.

#8

And the Glass-Handed Kites
by Mew

Shimmery Danish prog-rock with guest vocals by my guitar hero J Mascis. Enough said.

#7

Get Lonely
by Mountain Goats

Beautiful in it's simplicity, this could very well be the ultimate break-up album. However, "Get Lonely" never wallows, but lets a quiet optimism peek through.

#6

The Life Pursuit
by Belle and Sebastian

A pop masterpiece from the troubadours of twee.

#5

I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
by Yo La Tengo

I've always loved YLT and after the lukewarm "Summer Sun," this album is a much welcomed return to form. Fifteen tracks, about as many genres.

#4

Yellow House
by Grizzly Bear

Seeing Grizzly Bear open for The Books this spring blew my mind. All the post-rock drama, but now with lush 4-part harmonies.

#3

Roots and Crowns
by Califone

Electronic delta junkyard blues. This is one of those albums that is sonically challenging, but never drives you away. Rather, it continually draws you in further with its strange collage of acoustic instruments, electronics and percussion with Tim Rutili's raspy drawl meandering through the mix.

#2

The Crane Wife
by The Decemberists

Perhaps Stephen Colbert put it best, "hyper-literate prog-rock." The Decemberists – the only group that warrents having a dictionary close by when I listen to them – have outdone their previous excellence with a masterpiece.

#1

Return to Cookie Mountain
by TV on the Radio

Nothing else I heard all year had the a diversity of sound and energy like this. It's equal parts shoe-gaze, soul, pop and punk. Brooklynites TVOTR balance in-your-face abrasiveness and grooves with shimmering walls of guitar and atmospherics. I'm hooked.

GEORGE MIDDLEBROOKS
DESIGNER / KNOXVILLE, TN

10 Best & 10 favorites

10 Best

The Crane Wife
by The Decemberists

The range, breadth and creativity of The Crane Wife are what any fan of the Decemberists would expect, but it goes so much further, as Colin Meloy draws from legend ("The Crane Wife") and history ("The Shankhill Butchers", "Yankee Bayonet"), while also creating his own narratives and landscapes in "O Valencia" and "Sons and Daughters" (which closes the album with an uplifting optimistic sing-along, my #1 favorite sing-along of the year). This album is significant not only because it approaches golden perfection through songwriting, performance, production and sequencing, but because it is a major label debut by a successful indie band – one which features only two songs under four minutes...and two song suites exceeding 11 and 12 minutes. It is an ambitious and intelligent work which, like most classics, only gets better and continues to reveal itself with each listen.

Favorite Track: "The Crane Wife Pt 1 & 2"

–

The Trials of Van Occupanther
by Midlake

In this masterfully anachronistic album, Midlake give us tales of early-20th century pioneers, outcast scientists, and wilderness bandit camps, but represent universal experiences and feelings of hope, love, futility, depression and discovery. The production and performances are clear and organic, a break from the trends of over-compressing and over-layering (not that there's anything wrong with that, done right...) which prevail these days. The results are a solid and dynamic album which sustains itself on repeated listens and still feels at once like the best-sounding aspects of 70s rock, and like nothing I've ever heard before.

Favorite Track: "Young Bride"

–

Ys
by Joanna Newsom

I expected to not like this album at all, and after having listened to it probably 40 times since I bought it, I still have the feeling that it's the unlikliest pick for my top 10 list. The quick description – a series of narratives in five songs (between 7 and 15 minutes long), written primarily with multiple layers of symbolism by a young harpist with an education in classical composition and creative writing and a voice most often compared to that of a seven year-old - makes it sound like the most pretentious thing set to plastic in who-knows-how-long. Instead, it is a beatufully intimate and tender suite of songs, treated by subtle orchestral touches. Like with The Crane Wife, listening to Ys is less akin to hearing music than it is to reading a satisfying and enthralling book of short stories.

Favorite Track: "Emily"

–

Boys and Girls in America
by The Hold Steady

On the other end of the muscial/songwriting spectrum from Ys, Boys and Girls in America is a set of crunchy rock anthems in the same vein as the previous two albums from the Hold Steady. However, this album is not as closely centered around the same familiar set of characters as the band's prior works – the concept is looser and lighter, going into the ups and downs of the lives and illegal activities of nameless teenagers who wish they were 25, and 25 year-olds who wish they were still sixteen, brought to life by Craig Finn's literate wordplay and characterizations and endless references to his hometown of Minneapolis.

Favorite Track: "Massive Nights"

–

Roots & Crowns
by Califone

Califone have made their best album since their incredible debut, 2001's Roomsound. It's built from the band's trademark mysterious noises and electronic bits, married with traditional acoustic percussion elements and instrument, including singer Tim Rutili's uniquely droning slide acoustic guitar. Roots & Crowns has a similar overall sound to 2004's Heron King Blues, but with a different lyrical approach that reflects Rutili's move from Chicago to L.A. prior to the writing and recording of the album. Such a drastic move surely forced him to reexamine himself and undoubtedly affected the tone of the song's.

Favorite Track: "Our Kitten Sees Ghosts"

–

Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain
by Sparklehorse

Mark Linkous could have easily gone the way of other notoriously reclusive geniuses like Kevin Shields or Jeff Mangum, whose far-from-prolific output nonetheless stands as some of the most important work of the 90s/00s. The widening gaps between his albums, the issues with drugs and alcohol, the sporadic live appearances – all can quickly lower one's expectations of any kind of comeback by any artist. But Linkous came back, and with great force, driven by his collaborations with the likes of Dave Fridmann and Danger Mouse. He has created another fantastically complex album which throughout simultaneously juxtaposes darkness and optimism, tenderness and noise. A great listen, well worth waiting five years for.

Favorite Track: "Don't Take My Sunshine Away"

–

The Obliterati
by Mission of Burma

MoB is another band who deftly defied expectations in 2006, releasing an even more solid and powerful followup to their 2004 reunion album OnOffOn. Their songs – most in this set furious missives at the Bush administration and the current state of the world – rock hard but never stray from a core combination of creativity and intelligence which is totally unique and, even moreso, remarkable for a band that's still considered a comeback act.

Favorite Track: "Spider's Web"

–

Get Lonely
by Mountain Goats

One-man song factory John Darnielle set out to write a themed album about monsters, but in the process found the songs he was writing evolving into a narrative of a man discovering himself through the deep lonliness in the immediate aftermath of a relationship. Scott Solter's tight, crisp production further reinforces the cold solitude projected in the songs. An unexpectedly subtle and beautiful album.

Favorite Track: "New Monster Ave."

–

The Eraser
by Thom Yorke

It's hard not to initially approach The Eraser as a bunch of Radiohead demos or something tossed off to satiate rabid fans looking for a fix between "real" albums. Screw that, this is another side of Thom Yorke. These small recordings, stripped of the over-the-top-ness that we have come to know and love from Radiohead, strip bare the heart and mind of one of our generation's greatest – and still-evolving – musical geniuses.

Favorite Track: "Atoms for Peace"

–

Return to Cookie Mountain
by TV on the Radio

TVOTR build upon their '04 debut Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes with an even more complex and challenging set of songs. I love this album, and this band, for the basic reasons that they are emotional without being sappy, political without being heavy-handed, studio geeks without letting the gear override the inherent creativity. And holy shit, Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone can sing notes and intervals that I did not know existed.

Favorite Track: "Province"

10 other Favorites

So I forced myself to stick to an even 10 "favorites"... these are the other favorites which I find myself continually enjoying but need to spend more time with, or the just didn't grab me *quite* as hard as the top set.

Yellow House
by Grizzly Bear

–

Into the Blue Again
by Album Leaf

–

Rabbit Fur Coat
by Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins

–

The Life Pursuit
by Belle & Sebastian

–

St. Elsewhere
by Gnarls Barkley

–

Post-War
by M. Ward

–

You In Reverse
by Built to Spill

–

Garden Ruin
by Calexico

–

Meadow
by Richard Buckner

–

Skelliconnection
by Chad Van Gaalen

David Holt
musician / KNOXVILLE, TN

27 in no particular order

–

Return to Cookie Mountain
by TV on the Radio

–

Live Au Trianon
by Camille

–

Powder Burns
by Twilight Singers

–

Centuries Before Love and War
by Stars of Track and Field

–

Rather Ripped
by Sonic Youth

–

Get Lonely
by Mountain Goats

–

Food and Liquor
by Lupe Fiasco

–

FutureSex/LoveSounds
by Justin Timberlake

–

The Life Pursuit
by Belle and Sebastian

–

Gulag Orkestar
by Beirut

–

Ben Kweller
by Ben Kweller

–

Days to Come
by Bononbo

–

Destroyer’s Rubies
by Destroyer

–

Ryoujoku No Ame EP
by Dir en Grey

–

The Outsider
by DJ Shadow

–

Subtitulo
by Josh Rouse

–

Remixes
by Four Tet

–

Nautical Antiques
by Pinback

–

The Fountain OST
by Clint Mansell, Kronos Quartet and Mogwai

–

Songs We Sing
by Matt Costa

–

Dungeon Master of Ceremonies
by MC Chris

–

Meds
by Placebo

–

Diwan 2
by Rachid Taha

–

Die Weberischen
by Tiger Lillies

–

World Container
by Tragically Hip

–

Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Wives EP
by Voxtrot

–

Ghost in the Shell: SAC Solid State Society
by Yoko Kanno

Ben gaydos
designer / richmond, va

20 in no particular order

–

Drum’s Not Dead
by Liars

Year's favorite. Spatial art asylum rock. Dynamic drunk brigade punkOpera. Balls in Berlin. Rock the 5.1.

–

Ys
by Joanna Newsom

A post-modern Grimm's fairy tales set to music. Twinkling the synapses with the crazily beautiful. A 20-something Scott Walker, but happy-like.

–

Lantern
by Clogs

Brooklyn 19 C Gothic chamber rock/folk/classical. A wash of Poe-like narratives without all those words.

–

I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
by Yo La Tengo

A wonderful return to form by Hoboken's finest.

–

Two / Three
by Dabrye

Stellar production from Detroit electronic/hip hop artist Dabrye. Diverse beats, diverse lineup, feat. Beans, MF Doom, J Dilla, Wildchild.

–

Sons of Kraut
by Pete Namlook & Move D

This one will be on the German antiques roadshow in 2060... Deutshe elektronische guru's Pete Namlook and Move D (David Moufang) pay tribute to Neu!, Kraftwerk, Can, Tangerine Dream, et al, with this ambient-funk quadrilogy. Rock the 5.1.

–

Yellow House
by Grizzly Bear

I'm pretty sure this album was from this year. If it was it was great. Temporal incongruity rocks!

–

Keystone
by Dave Douglas

One of the best (and most stylistically diverse) contemporary jazz musicians pays homage to Fatty Arbuckle with funky, atmospheric electrojazz set to Arbuckle's silent films (DVD and audio CD).

–

Mr. Beast
by Mogwai

A wonderful return to form by Glasgow's finest.

–

The Letting Go
by Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Warm like chamomile tea. Rock the 5.1.

–

Fear Is on Our Side
by I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness

Mancunians in Texas? Anachronism and anatopism (I had to look that one up) without the wry smirk or big hair.

–

The Drift
by Scott Walker

Once every 10 years is good enough for me. Twinkling the synapses with the beautifully crazy. A 60-something Joanna Newsome, but sad-like.

–

Necklace
by Zeena Parkins

Always hope for albums like this one. Challenging, but not inaccessible, neo-classical arrangements with harps, strings and a laptop.

–

Scale
by Herbert

Funky, sassy and smart from the same guy who follows strict (I'm taking extremely anal) compositional guidelines (PCCOM). Oh the irony!

–

Sound Grammar
by Ornette Coleman

I wish I owned it. But I don't... What I heard was amazing though. Like a 75 year old jazz legend who doesn't need to prove anything to nobody... Ornette.

–

Roots & Crowns
by Califone

It's really good... seriously. I mean, I like it, but not as much as everyone else. Yeah. And I'm a real big Califone fan. For real. And my friend's uncle is in the band, even. He's the drummer. I met him once. Seriously.

–

Orphans
by Tom Waits

Tom Waits for no one. 3 discs of one of the most unique voices (and songwriters) of the last 30 years. Enjoy alone or with friends.

–

Game Theory
by The Roots

Clean, crisp Roots, with some sonic science from ?uestlove. Nothing too out if the ordinary— Thought might be relying too much on old tricks in rhymes & phrasing. But old tricks are miles beyond what most rappers deal.

–

Gulag Orkestar
by Beirut

I'm pretty sure this album was made in Albuquerque. Or Albania. Either way it's great. Geographic incongruity rocks!

–

The Rose has Teeth in the Mouth of the Beast
by Matmos

Is it okay to rate albums you haven't heard yet? Probably not. Damn.

brenton laverty
designer / richmond, va

14 in no particular order

–

Writer’s Block
by Peter Bjorn & John

–

We Are the Pipettes
by The Pipettes

–

Pet Grief
by The Radio Dept.

–

Shut Up I Am Dreaming
by Sunset Rubdown

–

Trans Canada Highway EP
by Boards of Canada

–

Missing Songs
by Maxïmo Park

–

Return to Cookie Mountain
by TV on the Radio

–

Mr. Beast
by Mogwai

–

You in Reverse
by Built to Spill

–

Bitter Tea
by The Fiery Furnaces

–

Get Lonely
by Mountain Goats

–

Yellow House
by Grizzly Bear

–

Fear Is on Our Side
by I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness

–

The Back Room
by The Editors