State of the Year in Songs Part VIII

The best of the best. Without repeating an artist, my favorite songs I’ve listened to in 2006, Part VIII. [Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII previously].

1. Annuals - Brother (mp3) Explosive. Near-perfect. This song makes me believe the grandiose-ness and intensity isn't reserved for that Arcade Fire troop.

2. The Kooks - She Moves in Her Own Way (mp3)
It remains to be seen whether the Kooks have staying power. The buzzometer is on overload as of this moment, but that's never bothered me. Sometimes flavors of the months are tasty. This song is great, and I'll be humming it for at least two more months.

3. Benjy Ferree - In the Countryside (mp3)
Benjy is my music-crush right now. Ridiculously good album. This is the first track and the one that made me initially search out more. If you like this one, there are even better ones coming.

4. Akron/Family - Meek Warrior (mp3)
Not a big fan of Akron/Family, but I'll be damned if every album they release hasn't at least one song on it I adore. Surprise: this is it that tune.

5. Bobby Bare Jr. - Stop Crying (mp3)
I've posted the live KEXP version of this song before. Here's the studio version that sounds 10% better. He rocks live and is a professional musician in an age of part-timers.

6. Okkervil River - O Dana [Big Star] (mp3)
Okkervil River just keeps pumping them out. The EP is on repeat in my car-less stereo ,and I look forward to seeing Mr. Sheff dominate Bowery next week.

7. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - What'll We Do (mp3)
This band continues to surprise me. Took a little warming up, but this song stuck out from the rest. Delicate and pretty, in a sad sort of way.

8. Bishop Allen - Butterfly Nets (mp3)
I've been a fan of Bishop Allen up until they started that whole EP/month business. Then I got bored. Too much output. Too much of the same thing. That's why it took me this long to find this track: it doesn't sound like Bishop Allen at all. If you passing on the band because they are ubiquitous, give this a shot.

9. White Whale - The Admiral (mp3)
It would belong in a musical if it wasn't told in third-person. One of the best narratives this year. Sweeping and gleefully predictable. Grab a chorus of men, sing along, and start a mutiny/coup/revolution.

10. Grizzly Bear - On A Neck, On A Spit (mp3)
Not sure how I got pegged as Anti-Grizzly Bear. Oh wait, yes I do. The truth of the matter is that I actually like them, and some of their songs I love. Yes, love. But others I do not. "On a Neck" falls into the former camp and is quite amazing. The harmonies and arrangements are smart, and each element of the piece is working to its highest efficiency.