We start off our Friday list bonanza with Phil and Lane giving us their picks of the most bestest releases of 2006. While I might not agree with all of their picks (What is with both of them and the Walkmen?!), I will concede that almost all of their choices are good times and worth you checking out.
Here's what Phil says:Best Songs
1. Wolf Like Me – T.V. on the Radio.
2. Rough Gem – Islands.mp3
3. The Crane Wife 1&2 – The Decemberists.
4. Goin’ Against Your Mind – Built to Spill
5. Sukie in the Graveyard – Belle and Sebastian
6. Release Me on the Floor – Figurines
7. Whoo! Alright – Yeah… Uh Huh – The Rapture.mp3
8. Transcanada – A.C. Newman and Kathryn Calder
9. So Far We Are – French Kicks
10. Skateboarding Saves Me Twice – Grandaddy
11. Brandy Alexander – The Walkmen
12. No Fit State – Hot Chip
13. Goodbye – Asobi Seksu.mp3
14. Shut Up I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings – Sunset Rubdown
15. Benton Harbor Blues – The Fiery Furnaces 
Best Albums
1. Gulag Orkestar – Beirut
2. Post-War – M. Ward
3. Skeleton – Figurines
4. The Warning – Hot Chip
5. Fox Confessor Brings The Flood – Neko Case
6. The Life Pursuit – Belle and Sebastian
7. A Hundred Miles Off – The Walkmen
8. Night Ripper – Girl Talk
9. The Crane Wife – The Decemberists
10. 9 Times That Same Song – Love Is All
Here's what Lane says:
10. Oh No Oh My - S/T
The Debut album from these guys is super catchy. Songs like "Walk in the Park," and "I Have No Sister" will be stuck in your head for days...but in a good way.
9. Eagles of Death Metal - Death By Sexy
I know what you're thinking..."why?" Well let me just say that it's refreshing and fun to listen to good ole' rock and roll. Sure the riffs are simple, and possibly straight off Rolling Stones songs, but man does it make you want to rock a mean air guitar solo and wipe your brow with an American flag handkerchief.
8. M. Ward - Post War
The man with the gravely voice returned with some great folk rock tunes on this album. To Go Home might be one of my favorite tunes this year...but I'd never commit to that.
7. Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
This shouldn't really surprise anyone. This album is fantastic. It's amazing to me that these Scotts continue to pump out the cute jams. From fun tunes like "We are the Sleepyheads" to gentle ballads like "Mornington Crescent" B&S leave you with plenty of material to fill up that mix tape for that girl you like.
6. Grandaddy - Just Like The Fambly Cat
Jason Lyttle completes the now "eroded" Grandaddy career with a super strong album. We'll miss you Jason, but thanks for the farewell album.
5. TV on the Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
This is a great album. "Province" is such a cool song, and not just because Bowie is on it...although that helped.
4. The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off
I was surprised by how much I liked this album. Actually, my favorite song on the album, "Another One Goes By" is a cover.
3. Cat Power - The Greatest
She is, and that's why it's on the list. End of story.
2. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
This was one of the first albums I picked up in '06, and man did it make an impression. I dare you to watch the Rise Up With Fists video and not want to hug your screen.
1. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
Settle down people. Many have considered this band "too hyped," and I admit that they saw a crazy amount of exposure based on a sound deemed similar to Neutral Milk Hotel. Put that aside and you've still got an impressive, and very different sound that continues to impress me on every listen. Zach Condon, rest up, keep writing, and don't turn into a recluse.
Best Songs
1. Wolf Like Me – T.V. on the Radio.
2. Rough Gem – Islands.mp3
3. The Crane Wife 1&2 – The Decemberists.
4. Goin’ Against Your Mind – Built to Spill
5. Sukie in the Graveyard – Belle and Sebastian
6. Release Me on the Floor – Figurines
7. Whoo! Alright – Yeah… Uh Huh – The Rapture.mp3
8. Transcanada – A.C. Newman and Kathryn Calder
9. So Far We Are – French Kicks
10. Skateboarding Saves Me Twice – Grandaddy
11. Brandy Alexander – The Walkmen
12. No Fit State – Hot Chip
13. Goodbye – Asobi Seksu.mp3
14. Shut Up I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings – Sunset Rubdown
15. Benton Harbor Blues – The Fiery Furnaces
Best Albums
1. Gulag Orkestar – Beirut
2. Post-War – M. Ward
3. Skeleton – Figurines
4. The Warning – Hot Chip
5. Fox Confessor Brings The Flood – Neko Case
6. The Life Pursuit – Belle and Sebastian
7. A Hundred Miles Off – The Walkmen
8. Night Ripper – Girl Talk
9. The Crane Wife – The Decemberists
10. 9 Times That Same Song – Love Is All
Here's what Lane says:
10. Oh No Oh My - S/T
The Debut album from these guys is super catchy. Songs like "Walk in the Park," and "I Have No Sister" will be stuck in your head for days...but in a good way.
9. Eagles of Death Metal - Death By Sexy
I know what you're thinking..."why?" Well let me just say that it's refreshing and fun to listen to good ole' rock and roll. Sure the riffs are simple, and possibly straight off Rolling Stones songs, but man does it make you want to rock a mean air guitar solo and wipe your brow with an American flag handkerchief.
8. M. Ward - Post War
The man with the gravely voice returned with some great folk rock tunes on this album. To Go Home might be one of my favorite tunes this year...but I'd never commit to that.
7. Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
This shouldn't really surprise anyone. This album is fantastic. It's amazing to me that these Scotts continue to pump out the cute jams. From fun tunes like "We are the Sleepyheads" to gentle ballads like "Mornington Crescent" B&S leave you with plenty of material to fill up that mix tape for that girl you like.
6. Grandaddy - Just Like The Fambly Cat
Jason Lyttle completes the now "eroded" Grandaddy career with a super strong album. We'll miss you Jason, but thanks for the farewell album.
5. TV on the Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
This is a great album. "Province" is such a cool song, and not just because Bowie is on it...although that helped.
4. The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off
I was surprised by how much I liked this album. Actually, my favorite song on the album, "Another One Goes By" is a cover.
3. Cat Power - The Greatest
She is, and that's why it's on the list. End of story.
2. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
This was one of the first albums I picked up in '06, and man did it make an impression. I dare you to watch the Rise Up With Fists video and not want to hug your screen.
1. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
Settle down people. Many have considered this band "too hyped," and I admit that they saw a crazy amount of exposure based on a sound deemed similar to Neutral Milk Hotel. Put that aside and you've still got an impressive, and very different sound that continues to impress me on every listen. Zach Condon, rest up, keep writing, and don't turn into a recluse.