Hello everyone, and welcome to the Sauers Awards!!!!

Everyone please take your seats..

MUSIC 

 2006 was a bit of a disappointment for new music. Most of the records I was anticipating ended up being more of the same. Decent debut acts were also scarce, or just too plain weird for my tastes. There were a few standouts that made this rather boring year, a little more interesting.

Favorite Records of 2006: When I talk about my favorite records, I'm referring to the albums that I've listened to and enjoyed the most. Even if they weren't the most groundbreaking or innovative.

10. Vetiver - To Find Me Gone

To Find Me Gone is nothing more then a great folk record. It might not be the most original material the band has done, but you won't mind while you're tapping your feet to great tracks like "you may be blue". If this isn't Sunday driving music, I don't know what is.

9. M.Ward - Post War

This one crept up on me later in the year. It might not be his best record, but it's still a very solid one. I find myself listening to it more and more. A bluesy piece of Americana pie. 

8.  The Beatles - Love (REVIEW)

It's a little difficult competing against the greatest rock band of all time. Even when they are mixed and remixed, these songs still hold their charm. It helps that the production quality is through the roof.  

7.  Thom Yorke - The Eraser (REVIEW)

As an avid Radiohead fan, its hard to dislike anything that Thom does, even when it's without the amazing Johnny Greenwood at his side. It's not a Radiohead record, but it's still filled with Yorke's trademark talent, his voice and incredible lyrics. 

6.  Yo La Tengo - I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass (REVIEW)

After two snoozer releases, Yo La Tengo finally comes back punching. The album actually plays more like a compliation of all of YLT's multiple musical genres, while adding a few to keep things fresh.  

5.  Witch - (S/T) (REVIEW)

I would have never guessed that the folkies from the group Feathers and guitar great J. Mascis (on drums?) would equal one of the most fun metal records I've heard. In a year where the 70s metal sound made a comeback, Witch's debut plays as an outstanding tribute. 

4.  Bonnie Prince Billy - The Letting Go

...or as I like to call it, "Bonnie Prince Billy in Love". Despite almost every track being about the famous four-letter word, the album has a dark and chilling feel to it. Guest vocalist Dawn McCarthy adds a new layer to Oldham's cryptic groans. It's his most accessible record, and stongest to date. It's also the best folk record of the year.

3.  Tropicalia - A Brazilian Revolution in Sound

It's odd that a collection of Brazilian music from the 60s would make it so high on my list. That is until you hear it. Soul Jazz Records has done an incredible job of making a great intro to the genre known as Tropicalia. It should be in every music lovers collection. So go buy it, they even make it on vinyl. Now, if I only understood Portuguese.

2.  TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain (REVIEW)

Don't be mistaken, Return to Cookie Mountain is The Best Album of 2006. This just isn't a best list remember? TV on the Radio have created an album that lives and breathes. When you hear this record it will consume you in it's world. It's one of the most immersive records since Radiohead's OK Computer or Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, an instant prog-rock classic.

1.  The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America (REVIEW)

Very few records have ever made me tear up. The track "First Night" did just that. It tells the story of a junkie that comes close to death. The narrator remembers his dear friend on the first night they met at a bar. "On that first night, she slept like she'd never been scared". Boys and Girls in America is overflowing with grit and truth. It's this honesty that makes it stand above every other release this year. I've played the album more times then I can count. It's easily my favorite of the year.

Other great records:

Gnarls Barkley - St Elsewhere - Yes it's overplayed, but that doesn't make it a bad album in the slightest. After hearing "Crazy" for the 10,000th time, I still love it. The best, and only Hip Hop album I liked this year.

Built to Spill - You in Reverse - BTP return to form (almost) in another great record with one of the best opening tracks of the year "Goin against your mind"

Peter, Bjorn, and John - Writer's Block - A solid old school pop record that contains one of the catchiest songs of the year, "Young Folks"

Beck - The Information - Beck moves another step forward in this mix the resembles a bit of Sea Change and Mutations.  

My Latest Novel - Wolves -  A great little debut that was sadly missed by most critics. A little strange, but it works most of the time.

Appleseed Cast - Peregrine - I missed the memo, when did emo bands become space-rock pioneers? Biggest surprise of the year.

Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche -  I didn't know B-side compliations were actually supposed to be good. 

Albums that were just too weird, but I respect them anyway:

Joanna Newsom - Y's - I'm sorry, but I'm with Rolling Stone on this one. Not sure what people see in her voice, maybe if I was at a Medieval Times fest or something

Liars - Drum's Not Dead - Someone please define "Music" again, because I'm not sure these guys are playing it.

Beirut - The Gulag Orkestar - Gypsy Rock, do I need to say anything else?

Albums that disappointed me:

Flaming Lips - War of the Mystics  - More like a flaming pile of you know what. At least their live show was good

Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped - Don't get me worng, it's not a BAD record, just a bit of a step back from their recent efforts on Murray Street and Nurse

Outkast - Idlewild (REVIEW) - With a few exceptions (Morris Brown is brilliant), this was the first Outkast record that didn't deliver. Solo careers don't sound like such a bad idea afterall.

Bob Dylan - Modern Times - Overhyped, but sure to win a Grammy. Dylan's done much better, of course.

Genre awards:

Best Rock record: The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America

Best Hip Hop record:  Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere

Best Pop record - Peter, Bjorn and John - Writer's Block

Best Folk Record - Bonnie Prince Billy - The Letting Go 

Best Compliation - Tropicalia: A Brazilian Revolution in Sound

Most Original - TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain 

Best Song - "Young Folks" - Peter, Bjorn and John

runners up: "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley, "Wolf Like Me" by TV on the Radio 

Best Live Record (REVIEW): Jeff Tweedy: Sunken Treasure 

Album of the Year: TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain 

That about wraps it up for music of 2006,  please feel free to comment and maybe leave your own lists below. Sauerreviews will be back to go over the top games of 06 a little later.

Happy New Year, SAUER