My Favorite Songs of 2006

Woooooo, it was way tougher than I thought it'd be to narrow this down to 100 songs, but I think I got a pretty good list here. What a great year for music! What were your favorite tunes from 2006? Like any of the same ones I did?

100. Destroyer - Painter In Your Pocket
099. Kate Havnevik - Unlike Me
098. Shapes And Sizes - Island's Gone Bad
097. Herbert - Something Isn't Right
096. Tap Tap - On My Way
095. The Legends - Disco Sucks
094. Secret Machines - Alone Jealous & Stoned
093. Phoenix - One Time Too Many
092. Mixel Pixel - Coming Up X's
091. The Most Serene Republic - Anhoi Polloi
090. Bears - When You're Away
089. Bobby Baby - Do Not Twist
088. Semifinalists - D.C.
087. Ghostland Observatory - Sad Sad City
086. Georgie James - Need Your Needs
085. The Blow - Pardon Me
084. Bishop Allen - Click Click Click
083. Poni Hoax - Budapest
082. Bad Veins - Falling Tide
081. The Decemberists - Yankee Bayonet
080. Bridges And Powerlines - Carmen
079. Placebo - Blind
078. Built To Spill - Goin' Against Your Mind
077. Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Young Shields
076. Halou - Stonefruit
075. Yo La Tengo - The Room Got Heavy
074. David Ford - State Of The Union
073. Sally Shapiro - I Know
072. Shiny Toy Guns - Don't Cry Out
071. Cut Chemist - The Garden
070. The Fiery Furnaces - I'm In No Mood
069. Margot & The Nuclear So And So's - Skeleton Key
068. Rainer Maria - Life Of Leisure
067. Lou Rhodes - Fortress
066. TV On The Radio - I Was A Lover
065. Xiu Xiu - The Fox & The Rabbit
064. Oh No! Oh My! - I Have No Sister
063. Via Audio - We Can Be Good
062. The Isles - Flying Under Cheap Kites
061. The Charade - September
060. Mew - Special
059. Rubicks - Midas
058. Piano Magic - Incurable
057. Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin'
056. BOAT - Last Cans Of Paint
055. The Dresden Dolls - Shores Of California
054. The Hourly Radio - Crime Does Pay
053. Pretty Girls Make Graves - Pyrite Pedestal
052. French Kicks - So Far We Are
051. Mason Proper - I Spy
050. The Whitest Boy Alive - Inflation
049. Venice Is Sinking - Arkansas
048. The Long Blondes - Weekend Without Makeup
047. Swan Lake - All Fires
046. El Perro del Mar - Party
045. Division Day - Hand To The Sound
044. Peter Bjorn And John - The Chills
043. The Roots - Don't Feel Right
042. Van She - Kelly
041. Charlotte Martin - Keep Me In Your Pocket
040. The Oohlas - Cahuenga Shuffle
039. Milosh - The City
038. Morrissey - You Have Killed Me
037. ¡Forward Russia! - Thirteen
036. Hot Chip - Over And Over
035. Judah Johnson - Niagra Walls
034. Young Love - Discotech
033. Metal Hearts - Gentleman's Spell
032. Thom Yorke - Harrowdown Hill
031. The Rapture - Get Myself Into It
030. Sunset Rubdown - Stadiums And Shrines II
029. James Dean Bradfield - That's No Way To Tell A Lie
028. Pete Yorn - Maybe I'm Right
027. Walking Bicycles - Shag
026. Le Sport - It's Not The End Of The World
025. Bloc Party - The Prayer
024. Tilly And The Wall - Bad Education
023. The Foundry Field Recordings - Holding The Pilots/Holding The Facts
022. The Changes - When I Sleep
021. Band Of Horses - The Funeral
020. The Knife - Silent Shout
019. Boy Kill Boy - Suzie
018. The Submarines - Peace And Hate
017. Snow Patrol - Set The Fire To The Third Bar
016. Say Hi To Your Mom - Prefers Unhappy Endings
015. Over The Atlantic - I Cannot Believe
014. Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell
013. Pony Up - The Truth About Cats And Dogs (Is That They Die)
012. Psapp - Hi
011. Canada - Record Function
010. Finest Dearest - March Into Flames
009. Dirty On Purpose - Light Pollution
008. Bound Stems - Excellent News, Colonel
007. Headlights - Your Old Street
006. The Myrmidons - Clap (See The Stars)
005. Damien Rice - 9 Crimes
004. Junior Boys - In The Morning
003. Forget Cassettes - The Catch
002. Midlake - Roscoe
001. Aloha - Brace Your Face

My Favorite Live Shows of 2006

10. Tapes 'n Tapes @ Fletcher's, Baltimore MD, June 8
09. Sleater-Kinney @ 9:30 Club, Washington DC, August 2
08. Aloha @ Black Cat, Washington DC, August 27
07. Cansei de Ser Sexy @ Black Cat, Washington DC, July 23
06. Pretty Girls Make Graves @ Black Cat, Washington DC, May 15
05. Junior Boys @ Iota Club, Arlington VA, September 9
04. Mason Proper @ Red Herring, Urbana IL, May 6
03. Sunset Rubdown @ Black Cat, Washington DC, September 27
02. Editors @ 9:30 Club, Washington DC, March 29
01. Ra Ra Riot @ The Red & The Black, Washington DC, September 15

Finest Dearest's Favorites of 2006

If it were legal for me to marry a band, I'm pretty sure I'd propose to this one. Look for a debut full-length from Finest Dearest in 2007. Here's what they liked in 2006...
Christine:
Meneguar - I Was Born At Night
The Avett Brothers - Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions
Carly:
Joanna Newsom - Ys
The Knife - Silent Shout
AJ:
The Mars Volta - Amputechture
The Mars Volta – Live At The Starlight Room
Steve:
Cat Power - The Greatest
E 40 - My Ghetto Report Card
Josh:
Tapes ‘n Tapes - The Loon
The Fucking Ocean - Tour CD 2006

Holy Hail's Favorites of 2006

Prinzhorn Dance School 12" (DFA)

Fujiya & Miyagi - Transparent Things

TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain

Peter Bjorn And John - Writer's Block

Klaxons - Xan Valleys EP

The Rapture - Pieces Of The People We Love

Crystal Castles - Alice Practice

Snowden - Anti-Anti

New Young Pony Club 12"

The Knife - Silent Shout

Oppenheimer's Favorites

Rocky says...
01. The Like Young - Last Secrets
02. Mates Of State - Bring It Back
03. Tilly And The Wall - Bottoms Of Barrells
04. The Spinto Band - Nice & Nicely Done (released 2005)
05. The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes
06. Jenny Lewis With The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
07. Olympic Lifts - Know The Way Of The Lord Or Learn The Way Of The Sword
08. Miriam Ingram - Trampoline
09. Sara Culler - Wolflike They Are
10. The Bronx - Bronx II

Shaun says...
"I've just realised that these will not be 'best of's' 2006 but just my favourites if that's ok."
01. My Blood Valentine - Loveless
02. Spiritualized - Lazer Guided Melodies
03. Brian Eno - Thursday Afternoon
04. Tom Waits - Mule Variations
05. Aphex Twin - Richard D James
06. Pixies - Trompe le Monde
07. Bjork - Vespertine
08. Kraftwerk - Tour de France
09. Angelo Badalamenti - Straight Story Soundtrack
10. Mosquitos - III

The Foundry Field Recordings' Favorites

"After much deliberating and debate we came up with these ten albums out of many many many choices, though lately we have been listening to other decades of music, so these are ones that caught our ear... And this is in no particular order...

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Broom

Oneida - Happy New Year

TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain

Silversun Pickups - Carnavas

Yo La Tengo - I Am Not afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass

Animal Collective - Feels (released 2005)

Danielson - Ships

Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit

Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming

Beirut - The Gulag Orkestar

special #11: Antony and the Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now ...2005, yes, BUT we still can't stop listening to this gorgeous selection of songs."

Charlie's (of Bears) Favorites of 2006

La Buena Vida - Vidania
The Be Good Tanyas - Hello Love
Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country
The Legends - Facts And Figures
Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
La Casa Azul - El Sonido Efervescente De La Casa Azul (reissue)
The Lucksmiths - A Hiccup In Your Happiness EP
Pipas - Sorry Love
The Essex Green - The Cannibal Sea
J Mascis - Live At CBGB's

Mason Proper's Favorites of 2006

The Black Keys - Magic Potion
Everthus The Deadbeats - Addicts Stuck In Traffic
Faces On Film - Seven Sisters
Headlights - Kill Them With Kindness
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
Dr. Dog - Takers And Leavers

Charlotte Martin's Favorites of 2006

Undoubtedly my favorite female solo artist these days is Charlotte Martin. Even though she was on vacation, Charlotte was nice enough to tell us what she loved in '06...
Pete Yorn - Nightcrawler
Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites
Beck - The Information
Army Of Anyone - Army Of Anyone
Future Of Forestry - Future Of Forestry EP
Thom Yorke - The Eraser
Engineers - Engineers (released in 2005)
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
DJ Tiesto - In Search Of Sunrise, Vol. 5 Los Angeles
BT - This Binary Universe

Bound Stems' Favorites

This picture makes it look like the members of Bound Stems have already started celebrating the start of 2007. However, they took some time out to reflect on their favorite records from the past year. Here they are...
Maritime - We The Vehicles
Cat Power - The Greatest
Kanye West - Late Registration (released in 2005)
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
Liars - Drum's Not Dead
Islands - Return To The Sea
Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds
The Hold Steady - Boys And Girls In America
The Walkmen - Hundred Miles Off

D. Crane's (of BOAT) Favorite Songs of 2006

01. The Thermals - "Returning To The Fold"
02. David Bazan - "Cold Beer And Cigarettes"
03. The Fiery Furnaces - "Benton Harbor Blues"
04. The Faintest Ideas - Nosebleeders On The Track
05. The Minders - "Don't You Stop"
06. Built To Spill - "Conventional Wisdom"
07. Cansei de Ser Sexy - "Alala"
08. Frank Black - "If Your Poison Gets You"
09. The Manhattan Love Suicides - "Things You've Never Done"
10. Patience Please - "The Velveteen Rabbit"

Architecture In Helsinki's Favorites

01. Arthur Russell - First Thought Best Thought
02. Justice - Waters of Nazareth
03. Yoshio Machida - Naada
04. Citizen Kane - Adult Section
05. Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
06. Ty - Closer
07. Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve - Spring
08. Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds
09. Aloe Blacc - Shine Through
10. National Trust - Kings And Queens

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone's Favorites

Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds

The Parenthetical Girls - Safe As Houses

Scott Walker - The Drift

The Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury

Ghostface - Fishscale

The Mountain Goats - Get Lonely

The Donkeys - The Donkeys

Xiu Xiu - The Air Force

The Dead Science - Crepsecule With...

Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor

Pink Nasty's Favorites of 2006

01. Pink Nasty - Mold The Gold
02. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
03. The Strokes - 1st Impressions Of Earth
04. Built To Spill - You In Reverse
05. Cat Power - The Greatest
06. White Flight - White Flight
07. The Fiery Furnaces - Bitter Tea
08. Bonnie "Prince" Billy - The Letting Go
09. Spoon - "The Book I Write" (single)
10. M. Ward - Post War

Bridges And Powerlines' Favorites

Shearwater - Palo Santo
Midlake - The Trials Of Van Occupanther
Ratatat - Classics
Peter Bjorn and John - Writers Block
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
Mates Of State - Bring It Back
The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes
Demander - The Unkindness Of Ravens
Gnarls Barkeley - St. Elsewhere

Ryan's (of Division Day) Favorites of 2006

Division Day's Beartrap Island was one of my favorite records from this year, so I had to ask the band what they loved in '06. Ryan sent me back a nice list...

Albums:
Scott Walker - The Drift
Girl Talk - Night Ripper
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Tandemoro - The Movers And The Shakers
Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
David Crosby - If I Could Only Remember My Name (Rhino Reissue)
Mission Of Burma - The Oblitterati
Band Of Horses - Everything All The Time
The Movies - American Oil (not released in 2006, but it rules!)

Favorite Song (tie):
Peter Bjorn And John - "Young Folks" / Midlake – "Roscoe"

Over The Atlantic's Favorites

Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
Midlake - The Trials Of Van Occupanther
Thom Yorke - The Eraser
Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass
Tim Hecker - Harmony In Ultraviolet
Islands - Return To The Sea
Beach House - Beach House
Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche
The Knife - Silent Shout
Tom Waits - Orphans

Steven's (of Canada) Favorites of 2006

Canada's Steven was nice enough to tell us what he enjoyed in 2006...
01. Joanna Newsom – Ys
02. Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
03. Midlake – The Trials Of Van Occupanther
04. Chris Bathgate - Throatsleep
05. Destroyer – Destroyer's Rubies
06. Califone – Roots and Crowns
07. Sunset Rubdown – Shut Up I Am Dreaming
08. The Black Heart Procession – The Spell
09. Band of Horses – Everything All The Time
10. Tom Waits – Orphans

Maritime's Favorites

Davey von Bohlen of Maritime gives us a few of the band's favorites from 2006...
The Streets - The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living
Hot Chip - The Warning
Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
Owen - At Home With Owen
Lucero - Rebels Rogues And Sworn Brothers
Band Of Horses - Everything All The Time
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
Belle And Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Margot & The Nuclear So And So's - The Dust Of Retreat
Josh Rouse - Subtitulo

Cedars' Favorites of 2006

The guys in Cedars were nice enough to provide a few words about their favorites from this year.

Brian: Trentmoller - The Last Resort

Admittedly, one of my guiltiest pleasures is minimalist electronica - the kind of sound necessary for late night drives or cross country flights. Trentemoller's The Last Resort is an electronic record that embodies warmth, emotion, and beautiful instrumentation. Consider it the perfect soundtrack for the shores of Ibiza, or in my case, a warm, overcrowded train ride to Metro Center.

Ed: Junior Boys – So This is Goodbye

Very chill but layered record, great for dinner parties and sex. What else can you ask for?

Fico: Elbow - Leaders of the Free World

Along with Doves, Elbow is one of those bands we all look up to. Guy Garvey's voice is as honest as it gets in my opinion. I've heard them being described as a "drinking man's Coldplay,' I can see some of that. Chockfull of fantastic melodies and lyrics that describe beautifully different scenarios such as the streets of Manchester, the self-doubt of meeting an ex-girlfriend's new beau, the post break-up bravado and subsequent vulnerability phase...and yes, even our idiot leader and his kin. This record has it all, a tour the force as pro-journalists like to say.

Luke: Youth Group - Casino Twilight Dogs

Pays proper homage to the notion of a "tune." Guitars, drums and vocals are rarely glossed over with walls of effects, yet the music still shimmers and soars as if it were meant for a higher calling. The music starts in the clouds- and dips into the canyons of isolation and simplicity. You can listen and not apologize for being a member of the bleeding hearts club. Youth Group does what U2 and James used to do with music and wordplay.

Cassettes Won't Listen: Rewind/Fast Forward

Apparently Jason Drake just couldn't bring himself to make a top ten for the current year. Instead, he's given us insight on what he loved ten years ago AND a glimpse into the future. I think it seems pretty accurate. What do you think?

Best Albums of 1996:

10. Sublime - Sublime

09. Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving

08. Frank Black - The Cult Of Ray

07. Sebadoh - Harmacy

06. Aphex Twin - Richard D. James Album

05. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst

04. Built To Spill - Perfect From Now On

03. The Fugees - The Score

02. Beck - Odelay

01. DJ Shadow - Endtroducing...

Best Albums of 2016:

10. Beastie Boy - RIP MCA & Mike D

09. Dinosaur Jr. - Senior

08. Portishead - Portishead II

07. De La Soul - Is Really Dead

06. Girl Talk - Still Samplin'

05. Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy

04. Beck - Two Feet In The Grave

03. The Hold Steady - Men And Women In Space

02. Beirut - Greatest Hits

01. TV On The Radio - Old Liars

Birdmonster's Favorites of 2006

01. TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
02. Archie Bornson Outfit - Derdang Derdang
03. The Whigs - Give 'em All A Big Fat Lip
04. Division Day - Beartrap Island
05. The Sammies - The Sammies
06. Tapes 'n Tapes - The Loon
07. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
08. The Fever - In The City Of Sleep
09. Willie Nelson - Songbird
10. Dan Bern - Breathe

Sally Shapiro's Favorites of 2006

Continuing in a way so sweet it may cause tooth decay, Sally shared her five favorites of the year with me. These will also be posted at some point on another site that begins with "P" and ends with a "-fork." However, you're seeing it here first.

Here goes...

1. Anna Ternheim - Separation Road
2. The Knife - Silent Shout
3. I'm From Barcelona - Let Me Introduce My Friends
4. Marit Bergman - I Think It's A Rainbow
5. Tatu - The Best

I love that Sally loves her some Russian lesbians. I definitely need to check this one out. I wasn't even aware that Tatu (or taTu or tAtu or TAtu or tATu or taTU) had recorded enough songs to compile a "best of" album. Good for them!

Grizzly Bear's Favorites of 2006

I'm sure Grizzly Bear's Yellow House will make its way on to many many best-of lists. The guys were nice enough to take some time and give us their favorite albums from the year. I've also included a track from each of their picks just in case you're not familiar with any of them. And if you aren't, you've apparently been sleeping through '06.

Hot Chip - The Warning

"No Fit State"

The Knife - Silent Shout

"Forest Families"

El Perro del Mar - El Perro del Mar

"Coming Down The Hill"

Snowden - Anti-Anti

"Kill The Power"

TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain

"Province"

Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds

"This Lamb Sells Condos"

Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country

"I Need All The Friends I Can Get"

Chad VanGaalen - Skelliconnection

"Gubbish"

Birds Of Wales

Toronto, ON

It's been a while since I've thrown a lot of love toward the Canadians. Here's a fine way to get back in to that groove. Birds Of Wales is highly recommended for anybody who enjoys some good ol' sexy folk rock.

"Fall Of The 49"

Birds Of Wales on MySpace

The Bad Machines

London, UK

Here's some dancey fancy fun. The music of The Bad Machines has even been featured on Big Brother Australia. Woot woot!

"Autobahn" (file deleted per Lojinx request)

The Bad Machines on MySpace

The Long Distants

Cincinnati, OH

Here is more great music coming out of Cincinnati. The Long Distants played their first show with Oh No! Oh My! They even make good use of the glockenspiel!

"Acorn Eyes"

The Long Distants on MySpace

The Features

Nashville, TN

The Features just put out a new EP. Here's the title track from it.

"Contrast"

The Features on MySpace

Matt Bauer

San Francisco, CA

Matt Bauer was just picked as one of Dodge's favorite EPs of 2006. That's reason enough to check him out if you haven't already.

"Sea Lion Woman"

Matt Bauer on MySpace

The Jealous Girlfriends

Brooklyn, NY

"Something In The Water" from The Jealous Girlfriends was recently featured on the hit show Grey's Anatomy. I checked out the rest of the band's album and instantly became smitten. Here's the first track on their self-titled release and it's just a preview of how nicely layered the rest of this disc is.

"Machines"

The Jealous Girlfriends on MySpace

The Hard Tomorrows

Washington, DC

So Brooklyn is not the only hot place to find great new bands - DC is full of talented musicians too, and here's a fine example. Pick up the latest from The Hard Tomorrows from Insound or directly from the band at their website.

"Patterns"

The Hard Tomorrows on MySpace

Secret Mommy

North Vancouver, BC

Wowee, wowee! I am loving this new album from Secret Mommy, the moniker used by Andy Dixon. This reminds me of Animal Collective with a kinky electronic twist. Plays is the sixth release from Andy and it's set to be released by Ache Records on February 6.

"Plays"

Secret Mommy on MySpace

Eastern Conference Champions

Southampton, PA

You should definitely check out Eastern Conference Champions if you love bands like Clinic. Find out more about these guys through Retone Records.

"Nice Clean Shirt"

Eastern Conference Champions on MySpace

Bon Savants

Boston, MA

Bon Savants has made an album full of sunny tunes that will surely brighten up your coldest winter days. Post Rock Defends The Nation is available now.

"Between The Moon And The Ocean"

Bon Savants on MySpace

Judah Johnson

Detroit, MI / Chicago, IL

Be Where I Be is the sophomore effort from Judah Johnson. Order it now directly from Flameshovel.

"Niagra Walls"

Judah Johnson on MySpace

Hot IQs

Denver, CO

Hot IQs just finished up a hot little tour, playing with acts like Cloud Cult and Annuals along the way. Their latest release is an EP entitled Dangling Modifier, but this song is from their full-length, which is available through Morning After Records and spinART.

"Buyer's Remorse Code"

Hot IQs on MySpace

The Sleepover Disaster

Fresno, CA

The Sleepover Disaster is suggested for anyone who loves shoegazey groups like Ride or My Bloody Valentine. The Oceanographer EP is available now.

"Still Life"

The Sleepover Disaster on MySpace

Goldspot

Los Angeles, CA

Goldspot recently contributed a track for the latest mix from The O.C. Here they are covering Modest Mouse's "Float On."

"Float On"

Goldspot on MySpace

Titus Andronicus

Glen Rock, NJ

This track from Titus Andronicus (with a title that shares the band's name) reminds me a lot of something Spencer Krug would create... so it should come to no surprise that I highly recommend these guys if you're a fan of bands like Wolf Parade or Sunset Rubdown.

"Titus Andronicus"

Titus Andronicus on MySpace

The Ettes

NYC / Los Angeles, CA

Hmmm... The bio for The Ettes reads that they came from New York and met in Los Angeles, so I'm not really sure where they call home now. Anyway, they're getting ready to tour all over the United States in support of their new CD and will end up in Austin for SXSW in March.

"Soft Focus"

The Ettes on MySpace

Jenny Wilson

Stockholm, Sweden

Jenny Wilson has collaborated with other Swedish sweethearts like The Knife, who also signed her to their own label. Check out her video for the track I'm sharing with you here.

"Summer Time - The Roughest Time"

Jenny Wilson on MySpace

Sparklehorse

Raleigh, NC / Richmond, VA

The list is long, but "Someday I Will Treat You Good" by Sparklehorse is probably one of my favorite songs ever. We waited a looooooong time for new stuff from these guys and sure as hell aren't disappointed with what we got. Here's a more rockin' track from the new disc.

"Ghost In The Sky"

Sparklehorse on MySpace

Patrick Wolf

London, UK

Oh little Patty Poo... That's right, the oh-so-ever puzzling Patrick Wolf is back with his third full-length. The Magic Position is scheduled for a February 5 release date and he'll start touring the UK region soon to get the fans all juicy for it.

"Accident & Emergency"

Patrick Wolf on MySpace

Architecture In Helsinki

Melbourne, Australia

Architecture In Helsinki put out their first two records within a year of each other. In Case We Die was one of the best releases of last year. Since then I've been patiently awaiting new material. Now we're given a remix album (We Died, They Remixed) that, unforunately, doesn 't really win me over. Instead of choosing something from this one, I've picked one of my favorites from their 2005 album.

"What's In Store?"

Architecture In Helsinki on MySpace

The Evens

Washington, DC

Ian McKaye is quite the legend in the DC area and in the hardcore scene. For his latest project he collaborates with Amy Farina. The Evens just released their second album through MacKaye's label, Dishord Records, and I like it even more than their first.

"Pushed Against The Wall"

The Evens on MySpace

Firefox AK

Stockholm, Sweden

Firefox AK is on the excellent Swedish label Razzia Records. In a recent video they're joined by another Swedish sensation, Tiger Lou - watch it here.

"Cardiac Arrest"

Firefox Ak on MySpace

Schooner

Chapel Hill/Raleigh, NC

Schooner has a few shows this month in their home state of North Carolina. Find the dates at their MySpace page and try to check them out if you're in the area.

"Normal Day"

Schooner on MySpace

Various

United Kingdom

Very little is known about Various. It's a duo made up of an Adam and an Ian. There are no liner notes or credits with the CD or on their website. I think this probably makes them even more appealing. However, I doubt they'll need much help winning over fans of bands like Portishead or Massive Attack.

"Hater"

Various Website