Lefty's 20 Favorite Albums of 2006 (Part 6)
I've had a terrific time listening and re-listening to my Top 20 of 2006 albums in my scientific search for the best of 2006. And now here we are at the runner-ups for the top album of 2006.
3-2:
3. We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions by Bruce Springsteen
A hootenanny from start to finish! This album is a joyous celebration, a back-home party, and a reminder that the work for peace and justice still needs fighting for. This is a deeply American album that is faithful enough to the spirit of Pete Seeger and yet injects new octane to the fuel. The album is an interesting tapestry of protest songs, minstrel songs, Americana traditional songs, and even some gospel. Throughout this year, this has been my most listened to album. The band is fantastic, the songs are invigorating, and by the end I just feel so good having listened to it. Later in the year an update to the album was released, and eventually I'll pick it up, but this album is still a terrific collection of songs.
2. Other Peoples Lives by Ray Davies
Some people like to take their time to get something just right, Ray Davies took a few decades. In his first proper solo album, the former-Kinks front man released a fantastic collage of tales of broken people, including the singer himself. It's like listening to a Graham Greene novel set to music. The music itself is catchy, has a very pop-oriented feel to it despite the world-worn vantage Davies sings about. In a year that gave us the brilliant dark comedy, Little Miss Sunshine, it is fitting that Other Peoples Lives is one of my favorite albums of the year.
Tomorrow, the number 1 Album of 2006!
3-2:
3. We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions by Bruce Springsteen
A hootenanny from start to finish! This album is a joyous celebration, a back-home party, and a reminder that the work for peace and justice still needs fighting for. This is a deeply American album that is faithful enough to the spirit of Pete Seeger and yet injects new octane to the fuel. The album is an interesting tapestry of protest songs, minstrel songs, Americana traditional songs, and even some gospel. Throughout this year, this has been my most listened to album. The band is fantastic, the songs are invigorating, and by the end I just feel so good having listened to it. Later in the year an update to the album was released, and eventually I'll pick it up, but this album is still a terrific collection of songs.
2. Other Peoples Lives by Ray Davies
Some people like to take their time to get something just right, Ray Davies took a few decades. In his first proper solo album, the former-Kinks front man released a fantastic collage of tales of broken people, including the singer himself. It's like listening to a Graham Greene novel set to music. The music itself is catchy, has a very pop-oriented feel to it despite the world-worn vantage Davies sings about. In a year that gave us the brilliant dark comedy, Little Miss Sunshine, it is fitting that Other Peoples Lives is one of my favorite albums of the year.
Tomorrow, the number 1 Album of 2006!