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| Best of 2006Punknews.org2006 staff picks 
 Review by: Punknews.org See others by this writer Punknws.org (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 Published on January 1st 2007
This list is a summary of all the individual staff lists, we hope if gives you a picture of which records were mutually enjoyed this year. Often this is a tough task, and this year the diversity of opinions among individual staffers was more obvious than last.
For the individual lists we've got columns from the editors Aubin, Adam, Brian, Justin, Meg and Chris, our alumni editor Scott, and staff reviewers Anchors, Jesse, Greg0rb, Matt Whelihan and Ben_Conoley. Punknews.org’s Top 2(2) Albums of 2006
Tie - 19. Yo La Tengo -
I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
Matador
Even though the band hops through genres with reckless abandon, the most easy comparison I could make is to They Might be Giant's, another band with an expansive musical vocabulary and the tenacity to try and the ability to succeed in each attempt. Some of the songs are a tad long, but the resulting compilation is nonetheless fun, quirky and cool. (Aubin)
Tie - 19. Moneen - The Red
Tree
April 11 on Vagrant
Very rarely does a record hit me so hard in the
heart that I get moved just by listening to it. The Red Tree is one of
those elusive few that tugs on heartstrings as often as it makes you throw your
fist in the air. Massively underappreciated in North America's largely
trend-driven musical culture (they're slightly bigger in their homeland of
Canada but still don't come close to the popularity of inferior acts like
Alexisonfire or Silverstein up north), Moneen are emo's perpetual underdogs --
and if that sort of drive lets them make challenging, moody, explosive rock
records like this, then here's to never getting your just due. (Scott)
Tie - 19. Dead to Me - Cuban Ballerina
July 11 on Fat Wreck
Not just the stories on the album, but I feel like in general this album is a sign of punk rock recovering from the depths of style over substance. As a huge fan of One Man Army, I'm glad to see Jack's harmonic warble tempered with Chicken's gruffer snort and darker lyrical subject matter. The duality on this album makes it work, combining the personal with the political all while framing it in a classic punk sound. (Justin)
Tie - 19. Be Your Own Pet - Be Your Own Pet
June 6 on Ecstatic Peace
This is the punk record of the year for me. Aubin and I chat quite a bit about the New Bomb Turks, a band we both revere, and we've brought them up quite a bit while discussing this record. BYOP share in that band's sense of speed, attitude and reckless abandon. There was plenty of decent punk rock released this year, but little of it urgent or alive as this. (Adam)
18. The Falcon
- Unicornography
September 26 on Red Scare
Providing the feel-good album of the year was merely a side-project for the Falcon. This punk rock supergroup carved this incredible collection of tunes in their spare time, and this laidback approach is what makes this record one of the year’s must haves. (Chris)
 17. Cursive - Happy Hollow August 22 on Saddle Creek Thank your lucky stars Cursive was resurrected, even though it’s minus a cello player. I was disappointed but then I realized that if there’s an instrument family I like even more than strings, it’s brass, baby! They fit perfectly into this biting jab at small-town living where Christianity tends to have a stranglehold, an album that could very well have been set in the small southern Indiana town I teach in. (Greg)
16. The Evens - Get Evens
November 6 on Dischord
It's hard to look at Ian MacKaye's work from an objective standpoint, especially since he's been more or less beatified by the scene and held up as this caricature of punk morality. It's nice then that the Evens is such a low-key group and a bit of a fresh start. As someone who adored Fugazi's quiet moments (loved The Argument) this is a terrific extension on those. The Evens maintain a really interesting political dynamic: looking at Washington from both a local hometown perspective and as the symbol it is to the rest of the world. A unique wartime record. (Adam)
15. Latterman - …We Are Still Alive
August 22 on Deep Elm
After bursting into the national consciousness last year, ...We Are Still Alive shows Latterman brimming with even more potential, some realized and some not. Taking on a much more somber, less "super posi" tone than previous efforts, the band sounds far more sure of itself and is writing from a more realistic and heartfelt point of view. (Justin)
14. The Thermals - The Body, The Blood, The Machine
August 22 on Sub Pop
The Thermals have always been known for their simplicity. They’ve made basic melodies, terse lyrics, fuzzy tones, three chords, and frills free drumming their hallmarks. So it may come as a surprise that the band’s third album is a concept record about a fascist Christian state that employs organ, a variety of rhythms and tempos, and even (gasp!) guitar solos. Still, despite these changes the band’s other staples -- an endless supply of energy and extreme catchiness -- are also present making the record just as easily memorable and as difficult to sit still during. Turn it up, shout along, and watch as your hands, feet, and head move to the beat, cause honestly, simple never sounded so good. (Matt Whelihan)
13. The Blood
Brothers - Young Machetes
V2
The Blood Brothers are, plain and simply, one of the most creative and outright daring bands working in hardcore today. They work without the net of hardcore convention and as a result, capably define and foretell the genre. As always, their albums are clever, subversive, frustrating and brilliant. (Aubin)
12. This Is Hell - Sundowning
May 16 on Trustkill Records
In 2006, This is Hell easily became one of my favourite hardcore acts, both live and recorded and Sundowning is a major part of why. (Meg)
11. Set Your Goals - Mutiny!
July 11 on Eulogy Recordings
Mutiny! could be the only Eulogy release I've liked since...well, whatever A New Found Glory put out through them, funny enough. But tell me: How many fast, unabashedly poppy melodic hardcore songs did ANFG actually write? Few and far between. How many provoked intelligent discussion, like the questioning of one's own religious upbringing? Zip. How many fucking awesome post-Gorilla Biscuits projects did they get me into because of their existence? Fuhgettaboutit. (Brian)
10. The Draft -
In a Million Pieces
September 12 on Epitaph Records
I had lofty expectations for this album, and the Draft only exceeded them. Hot Water Music is probably the most important band in my days of listening to punk. The Draft aren’t just a continuation of Hot Water Music despite at many times seeming to be a natural progression from the band of these dudes used to be in. The Draft sounds like four guys who are doing what they love to do and aren’t the least bit concerned with what anyone else is doing. Chris Wollard’s lyrics are as strong as ever and the rhythm section that made HWM so great is still holding up. (Ben_Conoley)
9. Ignite - Our Darkest Days
May 16 on Abacus Recordings
Welcome back Ignite. Vocalist Zoli Telgas is undoubtedly the most talented frontman in hardcore, and from the U2 cover to the blistering speed of "Know Your History," he does nothing but prove it time and time again. His incredible range and the skill of the men behind him make this an absolute must have for anyone remotely interested in hardcore. (Anchors)
8. No Trigger - Canyoneer
March 21 on Nitro
One of the newest faces of melodic punk/hardcore happens to have keen eyes, a canine-like sense of smell, a sharp tongue and chiseled jawline. Weird metaphors aside, Canyoneer could be the genre’s most consistent and assertive debut since Kid Dynamite...seriously. (Brian)
7. Saves the Day - Sound the Alarm
April 11 on Vagrant Records
This album reminded me of why I love Saves the Day, especially with the melodic and aggressive "The End." (Meg)
6. Maritime - We,
The Vehicles
April 18 on Flameshovel Records
Glass Floor had its moments, but here von Bohlen and company nail it. Dancey but not in a pound-you-over-the-head kind of way, it maintains a light groove through the majority of the record with memorable melodies laid on top. I just hope that Axelson’s replacement on bass can fill the void. (Greg)
5. The Loved
Ones - Keep Your Heart
February 21 on Fat Wreck Chords
Who would have thought that combining members of some of the best hardcore bands of the past 10 years would have created the best record of 2006, with absolutely no elements of hardcore? The Loved Ones built a load of hype with a stellar EP in 2005, and a schedule of non-stop touring in support of some of the best acts in punk today. But the final piece of the puzzle was fit into place with their debut full-length, with a stripped down style of early pop-punk, combined with the strong vocals of Dave Hause and song structures that build from obvious influences, rather than replicate. The Loved Ones are the type of band that you can imagine heading straight to the top. I can display my thoughts only in a way used to measure the greatness of any record: by playing it for that friend with the absolute worst taste in music and getting that head nod and smile from them, followed by the question "Hey, this is pretty good, who are these guys?" (Chris)
4. Strike Anywhere - Dead FM
September 5 on Fat Wreck Chords
With their jump to Fat's roster, this politically charged band took the chance to spit-shine not only their production values but their lyrical content. While the production left a bit to be desired at some points the shift in lyrics from raging against the machine to the more personal politics gave Thomas the chance to shine. (Justin)
3. The Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!
March 7 on Fat Wreck Chords
Oh! Calcutta! is the sum of every great song the Lawrence Arms have ever written. The reasons I love this album so much are nothing new. They’ve been one of my favorite bands for some time, in part because I always loved the differences between Brendan Kelly’s and Chris McCaughan’s vocals. After hearing Oh! Calcutta! for the first time I couldn’t help but think, "But of course! Why weren’t they doing that the whole time?" While the band’s back catalogue still holds some of my favorite records, Oh! Calcutta! ushered in an era of the Lawrence Arms that is simply undeniably excellent. (Ben_Conoley)
2. The Hold
Steady - Boys and Girls in America
October 3 on Vagrant
I don't drink, but if I did, I would get shitfaced to this band. It's pure Midwestern bar-rock for the blue-collar crowd, with enough of a wink-and-a-nudge attitude to capture the hipsters and intelligent enough for NPR fans. It's deceptively simple rock'n'roll played by guys who take being fun as seriously as a heart attack, and I love them for it. (Scott)
1. Brand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
November 21 on Universal Records / Tiny Evil
Brand New's latest album is a trojan horse; a burst of 90s-era alternative rock masquerading as an emo watershed. I had high hopes for this band, but they managed to both confound my expectations and raise them once again. (Aubin)
Sinking Ships - Disconnecting (Revelation), Aloha - Some Echoes (Polyvinyl), Ryan’s Hope - Apocalypse in Increments (Punknews), Bad Astronaut - Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment (Fat Wreck), Crime in Stereo - The Troubled Stateside (Nitro), Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record (Epitaph), Street Dogs - Fading American Dream (DRT), Tim Barry - Rivanna Junction (Suburban Home) Top 3 EPs 
3. Agent - I Wouldn‘t Trade That for Anything
November 28 on Iron Pier
Without a doubt, had there not been a separate spot for EPs, Agent’s debut effort would have made my top 15. The latest band flying the flag of melodic hardcore out of Long Island, Agent have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. If you like Braid, Lifetime, and Save the Day but haven’t heard this yet, you’re sleeping on a winner. (Ben_Conoley)
2. Polar Bear Club - The Redder, The Better
June 13 on Triple Attack / Luchador
Jesus fucking Christ. It’s amazing enough Polar Bear Club sound like nothing else blowing up out of upstate New York’s punk/hardcore scene, but it’s even more special that they write some of the most tensely emotional, masterfully dynamic, enthralling tunes around. Webzine editors/reviewers everywhere are currently frothing for LP no. 1, and I’m no exception. (Brian)
1. Off with Their Heads - Hospitals
June 13 on Recess
This is the album that everyone should have been listening to instead of shitty bands like the Lawrence Arms. Fast, melodic, bleak, snarky. Go get it, and realize that your taste in music sucks. (Jesse)
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greatest album of 2006 is comets on fire-avatar nice try wentzie but the last word is mine (til some other yahoo preempts me) i watched the whole lame argument below unfold but chose not to comment until much later, when everyone has cooled off and forgotten about this. now, i can have the last word. and that word Get these lists off of here, jerks. They sucked to begin with. Like we want or care to look at these for another week. People are still posting on the best of lists? Wow. Well, when in Rome... Worst. Argument. Ever. "[B]ut this utopian DIY shit you're inferring doesn't exist." It does exist and it's important - but to quote the Explosion maybe "if you don't know, you weren't meant to." That's E - X - P - L - O - S - I - O - N suckers. "but this utopian DIY shit you're inferring doesn't exist. " anchors just lay off dude its a circular argument, you can't win it and im sure you've got better things to do than get defensive about what you say rightly is only a list. give peas a chance kids. I think everyone's forgetting that I'm the original troublemaker. It was me who reviewed Wu-Tang! boo hoo its just a list, someone's opinion Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2007-01-07 14:24:11 A couple points: Joeg, you dont understand. Anchors if so far above us intellectually, that our feeble minds cannot even begin to comprehend what appears to us as being ironic. LOLz at anchors calling this thread pathetic, yet he's happy participating. I almost want that plagiarizing bastard dan perrone back on staff in place of anchors. I don't particularly have any problems with these lists (although Jesse's idea isn't bad) but Anchors, why don't you give it a rest already. This whole thread you've been accusing people of getting into a hissy fit and spending too much time here when you seem to be wholeheartedly participating.....oh right, you just like to "argue." Yea, you claim almost everyone on this thread is an idiot and while I imagine you were furiously typing out your responses to every single criticism, you undoubtedly didn't see the irony in that. Anchors, it astonishes me how fully ignorant you are of this scene. It also amazes me that the heart of your defense consists almost entirely of calling other people idiots and saying that you never claimed to be punk. The rabble that you so clearly disdain has pretty clearly picked up on the fact that you don't get it and probably never will. I don't understand why thinking punknews.org should focus its year end lists more on punk, despite whether its mission is broad enough to allow the site in general to include other genres, is "idiocy." And why there is a need to call opinions idiotic at all, for that matter. I for one was pretty excited to see that Brand New had made the top spot on this list. They completely fell off the radar and I'd written them off then I heard the new album and was completely blown away. The only thing that would have knocked them out of the top spot would be if Minus the Bear had released an album this year, which they unfortunately didn't. Trust me, I'm not angry about the internet. I like to argue is all. Just as much in real life as I do on the internet. What I am, though, is surprised about the level of idiocy displayed in this thread. P.S.- This comment is totally accurate: [to Anchors] "Take a chill pill. You're the only one who is making a fit. Calm down, its not that big of a deal if someone criticizes your list. Worse things have happened." I don't have a problem with editors ranking their personal favorites at all- my best of would be musically wider ranging than this site's stated coverage area too. "Why are you so opposed to a wider variety of music being covered?" I just figured out the problem. Anchors is a College Republican. I still listen to a lot of punk, hardcore, and indie as evidenced by my list. So there will be no "moving on." "you're in Charlotte, NC? Were you at the show we did there in November?" "Says who?" So much for my HTML abilities. "Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at 4:52 PM (EST) "If you really want to get down to it, part of the punk aesthetic is going against the grain, is it not? Well what's going more against the grain than mentioning rap and pop on a site where so many kids listen to nothing at all but punk?" victim: Don't get your hopes up. Anchors would be the last person removed from staff. As a lesson in a different way to do it, look at the lists just put up by scenepointblank..they don't pretend to be something they're not (exclusively dedicated to punk) and yet they managed to provide several lists made by fans of punk music Making vapid pop music or cranking out sexist/racist/homophobic rap for mass consumption is as far from being inclusive, anti-corporate, DIY or any other "pillar of punk" you care to cite. "you kids need to get off your computers, because this thread is one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen on the internet." Hey Gunner, fallingupwards: If you really want to get down to it, part of the punk aesthetic is going against the grain, is it not? Well what's going more against the grain than mentioning rap and pop on a site where so many kids listen to nothing at all but punk? One other important thing that I suppose has gone unsaid: last year I didn't read Punknews much but I did check out their year-end lists and was a little discombobulated by some of their choices. "Punknews.org was founded in 1998 by Aubin Paul. We published our first story in October of 1999. Our mandate is to provide an inclusive community-based site for the delivery and discussion of music news surrounding punk, ska, hardcore, emo, metal and indie." My favorite songs of 2006: Anchors - there's a valid point here. "You see, you kids aren't facilitating discussion, you're making this a forum for criticism and criticism alone. It's one thing to say, "you know, I liked so and so's record, but it wasn't one of my favorites. I'd probably replace that with such and such." It's another entirely to say "why the fuck is Brand New #1? This is a punk site. Justin Timblerlake, are you kidding me? Crime in Stereo and the Lawrence Arms are the best bands around, it's fact." That's what's happening here." Oh for the love of God. Thanks for wasting my time buddy. For next year maybe they should change the name to notpunknews.org or else find an editor who actually, y'know, likes punk music? Hahahahahaha oh man. Hahahahahaha oh man. Anchors you are lying about what I said and you know it. You are completely full of shit. I never said this debate defined anything or that I wanted it to. I never said anything demeaning about any of the lists people made. Whoa whoa whoa. Before you're so quick to congratulate yourself, I'd like to say for the record that I don't think anyone on this site would consider some whiners complaining about the lack of punk quotient in these lists as what defines us. That's the kind of exclusionary bullshit that punk is supposed to rebel against. Just curious, how exactly was it determined where each album would go in the PN top records? I thought this was a great list. Brand New's album is by far the best release of the year, no doubt about it. You guys are on the ball. I'd log in, but I haven't posted in awhile so I don't think anyone would remember me anyway =p Look there is no way that these reviews would keep me from coming back to punknews, even though I disagree that they belong on the site. However, the attitude of users, like Anchors, certainly WILL make me think twice and you can see others who feel the same way. fallingupwards makes good points. i mean, look, punknews owes me nothing. i don't want a refund. and the editors can listen to whatever they want; i'm not criticizing anyone's taste, because it's taste. but i really don't understand why anyone is denying that this is a punk site. i mean, that just doesn't make sense to me. i am saying i disagree that the lists don't have a punk focus, because i think a punk site should have a punk-focused list. it's just criticism; it's not like i lose sleep over it. still a great site, obviously. i feel like people defending the list are getting more upset than the people criticizing it. What I'm saying is that you need to be more open to criticism than you are being. Instead, you label anyone that suggested other bands that should have been on the list as typing on "mommy's computer" (which is funny, since i'm 23 with a career). "Discussion, where? Just curious, how exactly was it determined where each album would go in the PN top records? I thought this past year was pretty weak for punk (and music in general). The handful of disks that I expect to stick around are: 1. Now that someone mentioned it, it's weird that there's little or no Lillingtons on this list, ditto Anti-Flag. Just thinking about the amount of typing expended on those 2 bands here in 06. "when i was a kid in high school i used to hate everyone. soon i started listening to punk and thought "wow i wish there were people that listened to this sort of thing around." Discussion, where? props to Aubin for recognizing how great of an album Decemberunderground really is Victim is right.. there's nothing wrong with just giving our opinion of the list. I see your point, but there's no reason to be pissed. Mainly because this website doesn't owe you anything. Did you spend anything but a few moments to read the article? Right. I'm not in a huff about it really, I am upset because of the principle of it. I feel that the lists they made, without also presenting a Best Punk Albums 06 list, are off-purpose for the site. "Are you seeing my point or do I need to remind you one more time that the name of this site is PUNKnews?" The reason I'm pissed has nothing to do with disagreeing with anybody else's opinions or caring if they're good or bad even. And pretending people who object are just whiners who need to 'get over it' makes me think you are an asshole. I know that a lot of people on here are insecure, and don't want to admit to liking a specific band at risk of losing "punk cred," and those same people make comments about how everything out of their narrow scope sucks, but I've honest to God never seen it as bad as it is in this thread. donde estan los new reviews? This list isn't that bad except for Brand New. #1? You gotta be kidding me. when i was a kid in high school i used to hate everyone. soon i started listening to punk and thought "wow i wish there were people that listened to this sort of thing around." Since your list was all emo crap, I have another list that isn't so incredibly terrible. Did none of the staff think the llillingtons were worthy of praise? It was definetely Top 5 material for me personally. i wish someone would've noticed the arrogant sons of bitches' "3 cheers for dissapointment". it's absolutely 100% amazing, yeah! I was about to lash out and say: Brand New fuckin' sucks and this site is insane. Jesse- "Brand New should not be on any lists at all." Gunner - maybe you guys should sign to punknews records and then you might get mentioned in a couple lists next time like Ryan's Hope did. I have looked over most of these "best of" and notice a serious lacking of Sick Of It All. I think it's their best CD from start to finish, no filler. Gunner - maybe you guys should sign to punknews records and then you might get mentioned in a couple lists next time like Ryan's Hope did. I don't think the list is as bad as everyone else does, but Brand New should not be on any lists at all, and Defiance Ohio and BTMI need to be on here. No Angel City Outcasts? anywhere... it's arguable where they fall on the list because there are alot of good bands/Cd's out there. They deserve at least an honorable mention. Thanks to everyone who's rallied for our album as one of their favorites of the year.. it really makes me feel good about what we've done, even if it wasn't quite what the staff of this particular web site was into. How was DEP's EP a "fuck you" to fans? They hardly made any bones about what it was. There was nothing new on it. Most people just downloaded it for free anyway. Say what you will, but Victory's 2007 year will be promising, like 2005. I can't believe bigwig wasn't mentioned!!!! My top 5: Whoops, thanks to pokey internet, I misstated my top Best Of list: Wow, I'm bummed that one of 2006's best records scored so low and in dubious company (Dead To Me tied with- ack- Moneen?!) org-wide, but hey, it's just opinions. I don't remember being as down on as many lists last year... still 2006 was a great year for music. Here's my opinion about your opinions: What about Heavens, and someone posted this earlier: Samiam. anchors, just want to distinguish between being into punk and being exclusively into punk. is this site exclusively about punk? no. but is it primarily about punk? yes. it's fine that you diversify. i probably have listened to as much wu tang clan and NWA as you have, but that's not really the point. when you say you're "not into punk" and yet posting the reviews that count for the punknews top 10, i just think that's kind of silly. maybe you meant you weren't exclusively into it, and that's fine, but from your top 10, it seems like you don't really like it very much at all. Pussies. Ironically enough, they talked in an interview on this very website about how the scene no longer appreciates fast punk music. Well guys, you were right. This proves it. What a fucking shame. all the naysayers, just think of it this way. when you disagree with this list, it obviously means your taste in music is so much better than the people who run punknews! you have something to brag about to your friends! It is absolutely insane that Much The Same was left out of all the 'Best Of' lists. Lawrence Arms....bad....does not compute. Id just like to thank Sickboi for the explination, my Much The Same rants are now over. pretty good list, I agree with many of the albums but not neccessarily in that order. It's still beyond me how a band like Set Your Goals who is not only mediocre on record but live is making everyone's lists and your own Ryan's Hope only made one list i think. For shame. I am glad No Trigger are getting the respect they deserve I cave in. My top ten... 10 bands I'm glad i discovered this year: 1 - Oh Calcutta! - The Lawrence Arms my top ten, no particular order: Okay, I'm not even going to worry about the lack of The Decemberists on here, but I can't believe that none of you have Voxtrot - "Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives" in your Best EP categories. I like this list. I think it's representative of the punknews.org view of punk. I happen to subscribe to this view and find acts like The Lawrence Arms, Loved Ones, Strike Anywhere and the like really great. While punknews is not the authority on punk music (as if there is one), and I don't agree with every review, I consistently enjoy their viewpoint. That's why I keep reading. For those who can't find any common ground...well, why are you here bitching? I have NO idea why people love The Hold Steady's new album. I have it. I don't dislike it. It's alrigtht. But I just don't understand how people would listen to it and run out and tell a bunch of people about it. People are going apeshit for this album. And I just don't get it. It's a kind of fun background bar band, but that's it. The lyrics have something to them, sure. But just in general, it's not something I'm going to really revisit. also, Lemonheads, Bouncing Souls, Samiam were all missing... I find it mildly silly that Saves the Day made #7 and neither None More Black, NOFX, or Armalite were even mentioned given this site's demographic. 1.Fucked Up- Hidden World Good call dude, especially since we only cover punk bands here. There's never any news or reviews about hardcore, post rock, indie, "emo," or anything else. My mistake. 17.Greg Graffin - Cold As The Clay |
