God tur!

The mega-conglomerated super awesome top ten list comes out on Ground Hog Day. I don’t think that’s because ground hogs have anything special to say about music. I think it’s purely logistical. See, we’re waiting a month before we pass judgment on 2006. That way, we’ve gained some objective distance. At least, that’s what the powers-that-be tell me. I think maybe I’m not supposed to list my own list early, but it’s not the mega-conglomerated super awesome top ten list. It’s just my personal favorites. To be honest, it was a stretch to come up with ten. I had qualms about including albums that I didn’t typically listen to in one sitting (or walking, as the case may be). So, really, only the upper parts of the list are likely to become staples in the musical archive. You’ll also notice there’s a good chunk of happy on here. I’ve really been in the mood for happy music lately, and I have a number of albums in my possession that were probably worthy of my appreciation in terms of quality, but I just couldn’t bring myself to listen to too much gloom. Oh, and because of my penchant for the pen (I’m in fine form today, yeesh), I’ve added some lyrical embellishment for your reading pleasure. So, without further ado …

List the Magic Suffix

(as in idea-list, rea-list, nove-list, cyc-list, ana-lyst …)

10. Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain -Sparklehorse

“Come on, come on, come on, come on … it’s not so hard”

I don’t know what you’re saying, but it sounds beachy. It also reminds me of this terrible band I used to listen to in junior high …

9. Ships -Danielson

“Go get the lovely books let’s grab those lovely books gather up all these books we’re gettin’ looks looks, we’re gettin’ the looks …”

They’re singing … about grammar.

8. Through The Windowpane -Guillemots

“I love you through sparks and shining dragons, I do”

Hopeless romantics on a grand scale, complete with bird and dolphin noises. Only for those who could cry for miles …

7. Return to Cookie Mountain -TV on the Radio

“I was a lover before this war”

AND after.

6. Dreams -The Whitest Boy Alive

“By the rhythm of your language, the sparkle in your stride …”

No secret: Jeg elsker Erlend Øye. Hvorfor har han flyttet til Berlin?!?! (I love Erlend Øye. Why did he move to Berlin?)

5. Knives Don’t Have Your Back -Emily Haines

“It’s pathetic, it’s impossible … like guns and stilettos”

Sounds like what it feels like to be a woman in the 00s. For further musings on the subject, see me.

4. Let Me Introduce my Friends -I’m from Barcelona

“We’ll aim for the stars! We’ll aim for your heart!”

Lately, I’ve really needed a big group of friends to sing twee songs with. Hey, thanks, guys!

3. Fox Confessor Brings the Flood -Neko Case

“My nightgown sweeps the pavement clean”

Neko makes falling for the devil sound good.

2. The Life Pursuit -Belle and Sebastian

“If I could have a second skin, I’d probably dress up in you”

Prison breaks! Fashion! Gender-bending! Theology! Brilliance!

1. Ys -Joanna Newsom

“And though it may be madness, I will take to the grave your precious long face”

I, too, will always remember:

“The meteorite is the source of the light
and the meteor’s just what we see
and the meteoroid is a stone that’s devoid
of the fire that propelled it to thee”

Shabby poetry presses take note of the powers that exist beyond the scope of your vision.