Topic: Pitchfork's Best Of 2006 (Read 15528 times)

pat101 · « **on:** 19 Dec 2006, 16:52 »

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/40007/Staff_List_Top_50_Albums_of_2006

here it is, I think it's ... "good"

thoughts?

KharBevNor · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 18:10 »

Here I am thinking Pitchforks started edging in to appreciating good music, and there's no Agalloch or Current 93. That said, I'm rather impressed that they found space so high up the list for Scott Walker.

Kyros · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 21:03 »

I was pretty dissapointed that Subtle didn't make the list, and that The Crane Wife and Post War were so low, but really it's a good list.

Thrillho · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 21:23 »

This being Pitchfork, it'll almost certainly piss me off even more than this type of list normally does, though I do know better than to let it get to me.

Spartan Pho3nix · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 21:32 »

Of course, this just confirmed my belief i've had all year long. A pretty standard (if not mediocre) year of music, with a couple standouts.

ForksOfSalvation · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 22:02 »

This just confirms my beliefs that pitchfork is the worst.

jcknbl · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 22:13 »

Pitchfork is still getting more diverse everytime I read it. Its definitely moving from hipster site to music review site.

The list is still better and more comprehensive than anything I've seen yet this year.

Ernest · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 22:15 »

Yeah, so comprehensive that the list included Justin Fucking Timberlake. I was happy to see The Thermals and Mastadon on there, though.

Johnny C · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 22:29 »

It's more comprehensive but there remain some glaring omissions and absolute travesties. Though it's diverse, some of the stuff included, like T.I.'s remarkably high-ranking album, seem really token more than anything else - if you're going to pick a rap or hip-hop album released this year to break the top twenty, why that one over, say, Blackalicious' stupendous The Craft?

This list is basically what I thought it would be, i.e. a list of decent-to-good albums released this year. It's not inarguable, and I didn't expect it to be. It's an okay list.

valley_parade · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 22:59 »

I own exactly one of those albums.

BrittanyMarie · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 00:33 »

I really don't understand why all the critics are all "blah blah The Liar's dissapointing 2004 effort "They Were Wrong, So We Drowned blah blah". Am I just the only person ever who loved that album? It's in my top ten favorites of ever...

Ernest · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 02:45 »

I agree with Johnny. Blackalicious should have made the list.

Johnny C · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 03:50 »

I like that album too, Brittany, but I think it tried for something and didn't quite hit the mark which was why it was so polarizing.

Skittish · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 04:47 »

lol @ The Knife for #1. Good call on The Hold Steady, TVOTR, Junior Boys, Band of Horses and Destroyer though. No Annuals pissed me off.

Joseph · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 04:57 »

Best list I've seen so far, to tell the truth. Pretty much all the albums on it were good, though there were some that really should've been up there. Khar mentioned two of them, and I'd throw on Beast Moans and The Seeger Sessions.

El Opium · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 10:02 »

I own exactly no albums on that list, though I would mind hearing the Tim Hecker, Joanna Newsom and the Scott Walker.

Hat · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 10:12 »

I had a thought earlier in the year that I must be the only person in existance that though "Silent Shout" and "Return to Cookie Mountain" were vastly overrated, and it looks like this list has confirmed it for me.

est · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 13:36 »

My love of Silent Shout came & left, but my love of Return to Cookie Mountain and So this is Goodbye kind of crept up on me.

I also fucking hate the Hold Steady

kablaaamo · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 19:24 »

I didn't think the list was all that bad. A few of my favourites were left off....but they always are. So....Oh no! I am not as hipster as Pitchfork! Tragedy.

And I fucking love the Hold Steady.

!!!CPAOI!!! · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 21:33 »

Quote from: jcknbl on 19 Dec 2006, 22:13

Pitchfork is still getting more diverse everytime I read it. Its definitely moving from hipster site to music review site.

The list is still better and more comprehensive than anything I've seen yet this year.

I agree. I think that Pitchfork, as well as TMT and other "indie" review sites are collectively moving away from hipster niche music and towards a broader (and in my opinion better) perspective overall.

Also, I'd just like to comment (since I feel it's relevant to the braoder perspective I hope we'll be discussing) that, while people can bitch about Pitchfork's foray into "hipster metal" this year, without them I would not have been exposed to Xasthur, Agalloch or Boris, which led me to my discovery of Immortal, Burzum, the Melvins, Arsis and others.

And I don't like the Hold Steady.

Edit: Also, I agree with Kyros that Subtle should have been on this list.

ScrambledGregs · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 21:34 »

I don't mind Pitchfork or their lists or reviews or anything. But I guess I don't them seriously enough to tear my hair out when they don't do or say exactly what I think. I do think their scoring system is ridiculous.

Johnny C · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 23:14 »

I have been listening to the Hold Steady. Separation Sunday is actually really good. I didn't think so at first but repeated listens unravelled layers of genius I hadn't previously heard. I'm kind of hooked on the album now. Boys And Girls In America though is not doing the same thing for me. I decided to give it the same shot as the previous record but it is disappointing me quite a lot.

I don't think Drum's Not Dead is a rehash. The production, aims, story and songs are all different. They Were Wrong, So We Drowned is the sound of a band looking for and growing into its niche rather than completely, compellingly occupying it. Which isn't to say that They Were Wrong... is bad, because it is in fact a very good record, but it's nowhere near as accomplished and cohesive as Drum's Not Dead.

Johnny C · « **Reply #22 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 01:07 »

I dunno, man, I think the album's centrepiece is probably "Drum And The Uncomfortable Can" for me. But I'm glad we agree that They Were Wrong... is firmly on the "good" side of things and that it's been unfairly maligned.

Joseph · « **Reply #23 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 04:48 »

Johnny, I completely agree with your opinion on The Hold Steady. Seperation Sunday grew on me the more I listened to it, but it already sounded pretty good at first. Boys And Girls really just doesn't seem to do anything interesting.

The Eyeball Kid · « **Reply #24 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 08:57 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 20 Dec 2006, 23:14

I have been listening to the Hold Steady.

This is how I answer all questions about what i've been doing with my past year.

The Eyeball Kid · « **Reply #25 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 08:58 »

Quote from: Dark Flame on 21 Dec 2006, 04:48

Johnny, I completely agree with your opinion on The Hold Steady. Seperation Sunday grew on me the more I listened to it, but it already sounded pretty good at first. Boys And Girls really just doesn't seem to do anything interesting.

BAGIA is growing on me the more i alternate it with early Springsteen... it takes away alot of the storytelling of the first two records, but brings the choruses
and the chorus of Chips Ahoy! is a pretty accurate description of my last breakup, so it works

Johnny C · « **Reply #26 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 10:12 »

"Chips Ahoy!" ranks up there with some of the worst song titles I've ever read. I keep expecting it to be unbearably twee.

ImRonBurgundy? · « **Reply #27 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 10:20 »

It always made me think of that "Punky Chips Ahoy! Oi oi oi!" commercial.

The Eyeball Kid · « **Reply #28 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 10:29 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 21 Dec 2006, 10:12

"Chips Ahoy!" ranks up there with some of the worst song titles I've ever read. I keep expecting it to be unbearably twee.

if you know nothing about THS, yeah
i guess it is a pretty bad title, but song titles like 'Charlagmane in Sweatpants' (i spelled that wrong) make up for it
i find their constant referencing of other songs a bit annoying sometimes, but sometimes its just cool

Joseph · « **Reply #29 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 11:04 »

Quote from: The Eyeball Kid on 21 Dec 2006, 08:58

Quote from: Dark Flame on 21 Dec 2006, 04:48
Johnny, I completely agree with your opinion on The Hold Steady. Seperation Sunday grew on me the more I listened to it, but it already sounded pretty good at first. Boys And Girls really just doesn't seem to do anything interesting.

BAGIA is growing on me the more i alternate it with early Springsteen...

See, I listen to early Springsteen, and Springsteen in general, probably more than any other artist. All it serves to do in my mind is show how bad The Hold Steady are in comparison.

Coolhanderik · « **Reply #30 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 13:30 »

I was actually a litlte bit surprised, I figured The Hold Steady would get number 1 after all the praise pitchfork had given it. I do really like The Knife though and they were awesome live. Eh, not a horrible list. Also, I didn't love The Hold Steady cd at first, but it's really grown on me.

sjbrot · « **Reply #31 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 14:27 »

Sorry, all, but the Blackilicious album was released last year.

Johnny C · « **Reply #32 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 14:29 »

I can't believe that. What I get for using my Macbook and terrible memory, I guess.

Still, T.I. Not impressed.

est · « **Reply #33 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 01:57 »

Why is the Hold Steady album raved about so much? When I listen to it I hear half-decent music with an annoying dude droning over the top of it.

Johnny C · « **Reply #34 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 02:10 »

Separation Sunday is really hooky, well-versed and there is actual singing sometimes. Finn seems to have abandoned that with the new record.

jeph · « **Reply #35 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 03:07 »

People who don't get the Hold Steady just make me feel sad. You are missing out on so much fun guys!

I take no issue with Pfork's list. Them ranking Silent Shout as #1 was absolutely no surprise at all. Pitchfork has always reserved their biggest boners for novelty* (and I mean that in the sense of something being novel, not something being trivial). Whether you like Silent Shout or not, there's really nothing else like it that came out this year.

This reminds me, I should probably get my list together for this year!

*Second biggest boners are for bands that re-hash the works of older, more beloved indie bands.

jeph · « **Reply #36 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 03:10 »

Quote from: tommydski on 21 Dec 2006, 00:03

Every song on 'They Were Wrong...' was good.

Man, I do not agree with that at all. I do think it was a pretty good album overall though!

The Eyeball Kid · « **Reply #37 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 07:12 »

Quote from: jeph on 22 Dec 2006, 03:07

People who don't get the Hold Steady just make me feel sad. You are missing out on so much fun guys!

I know!
I feel like alot of people give them one or two listens and kinda dismiss it as 'classic rock' (like thats bad) and then don't go any deeper.
Jeph if you still do comics making fun of bands i'm obsessed with (like you did with the Fiery Furnaces) you should have a comic with a joke about The Hold Steady in it

BrittanyMarie · « **Reply #38 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 13:18 »

o/o/o/ Johnny, Tommy and Jeph. I am glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's great!

I just like "They Were Wrong..." as a whole so much better. I completely lose myself in the album in it's entirety... I can't easily do that with Drum's Not Dead (but I can with The Other Side of Mount Heart Attack).

About the P-Fork list, I am just glad that Man Man is on there because their album was so good I almost had seizures.

TynansAnger · « **Reply #39 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 15:28 »

I would complain about Pitchfork's list, but considering four of my top 5 albums made it, I'll be quiet (even though my top, St. Elsewhere, was a dissapointing omission.)

In regards to the Hold Steady, I think people tend to get lost in the Springsteen comparisons and forget about two more comparisons I feel are more relevant, H?sker D? and The Replacements. I feel there's something much more sincere about Finn than the Boss, which is due to his midwestern roots. H?sker and the Mats were also from the Twin Cities, and all three have a similar heart-on-a-sleeve aesthetic.

Joseph · « **Reply #40 on:** 23 Dec 2006, 05:03 »

Quote from: TynansAnger on 22 Dec 2006, 15:28

there's something much more sincere about Finn than the Boss

Enough to make me disregard the rest of the post.

Kyros · « **Reply #41 on:** 23 Dec 2006, 20:42 »

Quote from: tommydski on 23 Dec 2006, 01:15

I liked the first album by the Hold Steady. It made me think of if Lifter Puller had actually bothered to rehearse and spend a bit of time crafting the songs.

That second album was atrocious enough for me to avoid future albums. If someone assures me it's nothing like the second album I might give the latest one another listen.

I really didn't like Separation Sunday eiether, but Boys and Girls in America was my favorite album this year. I don't know if that's assurance that it's nothing like Separation Sunday, but it's definitley different enough.

The Eyeball Kid · « **Reply #42 on:** 24 Dec 2006, 00:30 »

Quote from: Dark Flame on 23 Dec 2006, 05:03

Quote from: TynansAnger on 22 Dec 2006, 15:28
there's something much more sincere about Finn than the Boss

Enough to make me disregard the rest of the post.

Yeah... Finn's got a bit of irony, a bit of distance- he's singing about stuff that happened to him, or to people he knows, or made up characters or people in the Bible... he might be sincere about telling those stories, but its not as sincere as moments like "I want to die with you Wendy on the streets tonight in an everlasting kiss", which sounds 'emo' written out like that now but sounds perfectly RIGHT and TRUE on Born to Run when Bruce sings it, 'cause he's 16 or 18 or 20 and means that when he sings it

Thrillho · « **Reply #43 on:** 24 Dec 2006, 02:23 »

They've quite blatantly not including Modern Times just to be contrary.

jcknbl · « **Reply #44 on:** 24 Dec 2006, 04:55 »

Well it was a good album but I'm not sure we'd be talking about putting it on that list if it wasn't by someone named Bob Dylan.

Guys, did Matador put out any records this year that didn't make this list?

Thrillho · « **Reply #45 on:** 24 Dec 2006, 04:56 »

I'm not implying it was earth-shatteringly great - although 2006 was quite a slow year, I think it deserved to break 50. My point was, the rest of the press wanked on it, so OBVIOUSLY Pitchfork didn't include it here.

Rizzo · « **Reply #46 on:** 24 Dec 2006, 12:12 »

Painfully average. Having heard probably 1/3 of that list I feel I am qualified to make this judgement.

Lupe Fiasco? One of the most average albums of the year and yet it makes the list. Then again I wasn't exactly wowed by anything this year, even my beloved AFI.

I am surprised not to see Young Machetes by Blood Brothers on there. Surely they're pitchfork material?

Doctor Funk · « **Reply #47 on:** 24 Dec 2006, 13:46 »

Quote from: The Eyeball Kid on 24 Dec 2006, 00:30

Yeah... Finn's got a bit of irony, a bit of distance- he's singing about stuff that happened to him, or to people he knows, or made up characters or people in the Bible... he might be sincere about telling those stories, but its not as sincere as moments like "I want to die with you Wendy on the streets tonight in an everlasting kiss", which sounds 'emo' written out like that now but sounds perfectly RIGHT and TRUE on Born to Run when Bruce sings it, 'cause he's 16 or 18 or 20 and means that when he sings it

I think the thing is, Finn is one of the most sincere performers in music today, but it's not Springsteen's sincerity. It's not really that he believes every word he's saying, but he believes in it as a whole. It's less direct. Finn -- if I've gathered anything from their live performances -- is about rock and roll being transcendant and uplifting in some fashion as much as he is about the reality of the situations in the songs... which is why Separation Sunday was such a damn good idea. perfect combination of the two.

Not that I want to take anything away from Springsteen. Finn has borrowed a lot from him in terms of vocal rhythms and slightly less in subject matter and attitude, but in the end there's still a lot separating them. Actually, I should get some more early Springsteen.

Hairy Joe Bob · « **Reply #48 on:** 24 Dec 2006, 19:34 »

I am going to write a cowpunk song called "I Want To Pitchfork You Pitchfork. In Your Eyyyyyyes!"

It seriously fills me with rage every time I read one of their smug, 'we-know-better-than-you' reviews. This list is so-so. I am disappointed that the marvellous Pipettes (they are a band that demands you write 'marvellous' or 'lovely' before their name every time!) were so low. Belle & Sebastian, Hot Chip, M Ward and Cat Power should have been higher. And WHERE the fuck were Brakes?

The Eyeball Kid · « **Reply #49 on:** 24 Dec 2006, 20:26 »

Quote from: Doctor Funk on 24 Dec 2006, 13:46

Quote from: The Eyeball Kid on 24 Dec 2006, 00:30

Yeah... Finn's got a bit of irony, a bit of distance- he's singing about stuff that happened to him, or to people he knows, or made up characters or people in the Bible... he might be sincere about telling those stories, but its not as sincere as moments like "I want to die with you Wendy on the streets tonight in an everlasting kiss", which sounds 'emo' written out like that now but sounds perfectly RIGHT and TRUE on Born to Run when Bruce sings it, 'cause he's 16 or 18 or 20 and means that when he sings it

I think the thing is, Finn is one of the most sincere performers in music today, but it's not Springsteen's sincerity. It's not really that he believes every word he's saying, but he believes in it as a whole. It's less direct. Finn -- if I've gathered anything from their live performances -- is about rock and roll being transcendant and uplifting in some fashion as much as he is about the reality of the situations in the songs... which is why Separation Sunday was such a damn good idea. perfect combination of the two.

Not that I want to take anything away from Springsteen. Finn has borrowed a lot from him in terms of vocal rhythms and slightly less in subject matter and attitude, but in the end there's still a lot separating them. Actually, I should get some more early Springsteen.

Yeah... the difference is the desperation in Springsteen. He spends alot of time singing in the first-person, and on the early albums he IS this guy, pretty explicitly... 'Hey Rosalitta' ends with the line 'the record company baby just gave me a big advance', and if he didn't sound so surprised and joyful it'd be smug... but it isn't. He's deseperate, and he's singing about the NOW (at least on these early songs)... where Finn is telling you stories, and even though he's part of the story sometimes and he believes in the overall messege of it, there are still little nods and winks- "Do you want me to tell it like its boy meets girl and the rest is history? Or do you want me to tell it like a murder mystery? Maybe i'll tell it like a comeback story".
Bruce does some of this, though, on stuff like Jungleland

But yeah, Craig is sincere in his whole messege... and live his lyrics were completly obliberated in the pure transcendent rock and roll fury.

I sorta feel like I'm missing out because i haven't given anything much space last year beyond the Hold Steady. That new Joanna Newsom album his brilliant poetics, but its like the other brilliant books of poetry i haven't spent enough time with... because why take the time to sit down with Coleridge or Tennyson when Ginsburg is howling in your ear RIGHT NOW?

Hell, i haven't even got around to propoerly listening to Modern Times, and i bought it instantly. I don't see the hype on M. Ward, but maybe listening to it at work robs it of some context

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Pitchfork's Best Of 2006 (Read 15528 times)

Spartan Pho3nix

ForksOfSalvation

jcknbl

Skittish

El Opium

kablaaamo

!!!CPAOI!!!

ScrambledGregs

The Eyeball Kid

The Eyeball Kid

The Eyeball Kid

Coolhanderik

sjbrot

The Eyeball Kid

TynansAnger

The Eyeball Kid

jcknbl

Doctor Funk

The Eyeball Kid