2006: My Year in Music

So as I watch Wolfmother kick off Mojo's London Live New Year's Eve countdown (in glorious HD), I am inspired to recount some of my musical experiences from this past year. I wasn't organized enough to compile a proper Top 10 list, so I'll just run through what comes to mind as those must have left the deepest impression, right? So here we go...

It's hard to remember anything before my third Coachella, so I'll start there. The biggest buzz going into this year's festival was centered around Madonna, but as far as I'm concerned she turned out to be the biggest bust (no pun intended). I had my sites set on Daft Punk and their performance went down as one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed. The light show, the robot costumes, the crowd, the ecstasy (with a captial E); I don't think I will see the likes of it again.

But there was a lot more than that going on at Coachella, as always. Without turning this into a report on that one event, I will share a few more of the highlights that had a lasting effect on my listening habits for the remainder of the year. Editors (whom I'd first seen at Higher Ground in Vermont earlier in the year) turned in a great set. Their album, The Back Room, was one of those that never seemed to leave my player. I also got a chance to see Gnarls Barkley before "Crazy" became a bit overexposed. Great show in Wizard of Oz regalia. Ladytron, whose Witching Hour was another album in heavy rotation for me, also put on a good show. Before Daft Punk, I finally got to see Depeche Mode play live, and even this late in their career they are impressive. I've even buying up all their reissues ever since.

One band that I felt was sorely missing from the Coachella lineup was Goldfrapp. They were never rumored for inclusion, but I just felt they would have been a great addition. For me, Supernature is one of the best albums of the past year (though it was released in the UK in late 2005). Every single, b-side, remix and music video has been spectacular, yet they are reduced to commercial jingles in the US, go figure. I hope to someday see them live, maybe next Coachella.

Following my return from Coachella, I caught The Strokes in Montreal. It was complete pandemonium in the pit at that one, but I survived, a bit sweatier for the experience but with a smile on my face. Their cover of "Walk on the Wild Side" left a little to be desired, but their originals (including encore b-side "Hawaii") were scorching.

I took another trip to Montreal towards the end of the summer, this time to Parc Jean Drapeau for the first ever Osheaga Music & Arts Festival. I was only able to make it to one of the days, but what a day! Though I had purchased my ticket in advance, a lovely girl at the front entrance gave me one free so I was happily able to bypass will call and go straight in. A reunited Dinosaur Jr. was one of the highlights of the day. Performances by The Colour and The Shys on one of the side stages nestled in the woods made for a unique experience. A close encounter with Canadian minx Duchess Says will also stay with me. To cap it all off, Sonic Youth (with ex-Pavement bassist Mike Ibold in tow) wowed with a set of songs off their latest masterpiece, Rather Ripped, and closed the show with two songs off their self-titled debut EP (from way back in the early '80s). I also got my favorite photo of the year -- Lee Ranaldo and his "ghostly guitar" (see an early post in this very blog).

One act I missed at Osheaga was Brazilian Girls. I later picked up their sophomore record, Talk To La Bomb, and I could really kick myself for not catching them. Another candidate for inclusion in my top ten albums of the year (if I had one). Which brings me to the "what could have been" section. There was a Flaming Lips show at UVM I only found out about the night it was taking place and missed. I had tickets to a Nicolai Dunger/Mercury Rev show in Buffalo that got cancelled. I also missed some decent gigs at Higher Ground, including Built To Spill, Deerhoof/Fiery Furnaces and a Dub Tribute to Radiohead.

I did catch a sold out three hour marathon by The Black Crowes at Higher Ground that was both deafening and enjoyable. I'm not a big Crowes fan, but it was a treat to see them strut their stuff in a small club, and run through songs and covers from throughout their career.

As I type this, Placebo have come up in the Mojo London Live countdown and it reminds me that their album Meds was another big one for me this year. Musically, they are at the top of their game, and America just doesn't get it. I hope they'll play Montreal in 2007. A special nod to the Serge Gainsbourg tribute record featuring two tracks with Brian Molko -- start to finish one of the best various artists albums this year or any year.

And now, the other crown jewel this year besides Daft Punk -- the triumphant return of The Lemonheads. Okay, so maybe triumphant is overstating it a bit, but seeing some actual positive press about Evan Dando and his rock outfit was something I've been waiting to see for a while (a decade no less). The Lemonheads self-titled LP was a return to form that for a diehard like me was some great reward (a little DM seeping in here). A day before my birthday I got to see Evan & company wrap up the most recent leg of their world tour in Boston, where The Lemonheads got their start. As an added bonus, Evan's mom stood right next to me during the show, and the new Lemonheads finished with a rousing rendition of one of the earliest Lemonheads tunes, "Hate Your Friends." Plus, new merch!!

So what will 2007 bring? Coachella 2007 will be expanded to three days. There has been no official announcement made regarding the lineup, but all kinds of rumors are flying around, including a possible appearance by The Smashing Pumpkins (who have been recording a new album), and Portishead (also busy in the studio of late). The Lemonheads might go right back into the studio after their tour ends and record another one (though that would likely come out in 2008). Hot British newcomer Lily Allen is set to drop her debut Stateside later in January. Greg Dulli & The Twilight Singers will put out a CD of their iTunes Stitch In Time EP about the same time. Oh yeah, and Brett Anderson (from Suede) has been posting performances on You Tube (very 2006) as he ramps up to the release of his debut solo record in '07. Very exciting.

The more I write the more things occur to me, but there is neither the time nor the space to include all of it, so I'll just leave at this: Here's to a great year of music that has become a part of my psyche, and here's to 2007 being an even better one. Cheers!