I’m downright fed up with this Indie/Americana/Folk genre. I’m surprised at how much imagery you can conjure up for the majority of the groups you write about. It’s always just another sucky bar band in the end. Then again, I suppose run-of-the-mill, 1970’s sounding stoner music is your forte. You should try listening to something other than what’s being played at the many SoHo taverns you inebriate yourself in. Perhaps you would find some extraordinary music that could inspire you to write an interesting article for once.

Only 4 songs and like 15 minutes, but I would let him (Jason) spit on me for 15 minutes if given the chance…he melts me.

I just listened to the Ben Folds/Spektor duet. Hadn’t heard it before. Very nice. Spektor’s been one my faves for awhile. Her “Begin to Hope” cracked my 2006 tally. Here it is, from my days working for The Bradenton.

Getting my kicks in 2006

My highly subjective Top 10 Albums of 2006 article ran Dec. 31 in our A&E section. I was second-guessing myself right up to deadline. I failed to include Wolfmother’s retro-ly rad debut and I think that might have been a mistake. I’m also starting to wonder if I would have been kinder to the latest by Justin Timberlake and John Mayer if they would’ve been by anyone other than Justin Timberlake and John Mayer.

Anyway, here’s my list. Take a look and then post a comment about how I’m an idiot for not raving about the Arctic Monkeys or those punks My Chemical Romance. Click here to read the trenchant prose that accompanied each selection. Click here to read my pick for concert of the year.

1. “St. Elsewhere,” Gnarls Barkley (Downtown)
2. “Modern Times,” Bob Dylan (Columbia)
3. “Public Warning,” Lady Sovereign (Def Jam)
4. “Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers,” Lucero (Liberty & Lament)
5. “Back to the Basics,” Christina Aguilera (RCA)
6. “Begin to Hope,” Regina Spektor (Sire)
7. “We Shall Overcome – The Seeger Sessions,” Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)
8. “Straight to Hell,” Hank Williams III (Curb)
9. “Broken Boy Soldiers,” The Raconteurs (Third Man Records)
10. “Bring it on Home . . . The Soul Classics,” Aaron Neville (Burgundy S)

Best reissue:
“Live at the Fillmore,” Neil Young & Crazy Horse (Reprise)

Wade, are you counting Bon Iver’s album as 2007? “Flume” is gut-wrenchingly gorgeous, as is the whole album.

“Evil Urges” may be the most dynamic, but “Smokin From Shootin’” or “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 2″ are my faves. Those two tracks are the best closing songs on any album this year. Unfortunately, the middle of Evil Urges just doesn’t hold up for me.

Do you play wipe out on the drums?

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/tampacalling/2008/09/13/jenny-lewis-drops-acid-tongue/

Phil: Gracias. Every time I hear “Highly Suspicious” I get giddy, and I’ve played the shit out of the tune, although “Sec Walkin” is anotehr fave and the title-track is probably the “best,” most dynamic, song on the album. Yeah, I’m already second guessing my list. It happens. Slim sounds familiar but maybe I’m thinking of Slim Pickens, the dude who costarred with Dylan in “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid” and rode the nuke cowboy-style in “Dr. Strangelove.” Ok, I’m rambling. Please burn me a copy of the CD. And while you’re at it, how about one of those awesome Zep boots you have??!!

Since, as far as I know, Ben Folds and the Beastie Boys didn’t come out with anything this year, I’m going with “Acid Tongue” and “Worst Sex I Ever Had.”

If I had read your column about how not to act at office parties *before* attending a recent soiree, perhaps Death Cab for Cutie or something by She & Him would be on my mind.

Oh well. Live and learn.

I like the MMJ album,and I have to say, that I do get that song stuck in my head a lot. (you know pitchfork refered to highly suspicious as a “phish throw away track”, though obv. the folks at pf are morons)

I keep meaning to ask if you’ve listened to Langhorne Slim at all.

I think you would really dig him, one of my favorite albums of the year, if you don’t have it, I’ll get it to you. Sounds like dylan, but not a copy or a rip off, just a similar honesty and vocal qualities.