HAPPY THANKSGIVING, ANDREW
Christianity Today has just published (on-line) their picks for the best ["Christian"] albums of 2006. Fellow blogger/indie folk-rocker Andrew Osenga is #11.
And it reads...
"If The Normals had only continued after 2002's A Place Where You Belong … well, it might have been as impressive as this sophomore effort from front man Andrew Osenga, who also serves as lead guitarist for Caedmon's Call. Though it's an independent effort, don't be fooled—the only shortcoming is a lack of distribution, currently only available at www.andrewosenga.com. As far as quality goes, it's a match for any other alternative folk-rock release this year, and a no-brainer for those who appreciate the refined style of Elliott Smith, Michael Penn, Neil Finn, or Gomez. Combine that with smart, honest songcraft reminiscent of Bob Dylan or Mark Heard, expressing a progression from regret to redemption through a series of metaphorical illustrations, introspective musings, and heartfelt confessionals. Too bad an album this good will go largely overlooked—but at least now you know about it!"
Wow, Neil Finn. You're compared to Neil freakin' Finn. Congrats, Andrew. Much deserved.
As for the rest of the list...
Go here to judge for yourself.
What's on your list of best albums or songs of '06?
And it reads...
"If The Normals had only continued after 2002's A Place Where You Belong … well, it might have been as impressive as this sophomore effort from front man Andrew Osenga, who also serves as lead guitarist for Caedmon's Call. Though it's an independent effort, don't be fooled—the only shortcoming is a lack of distribution, currently only available at www.andrewosenga.com. As far as quality goes, it's a match for any other alternative folk-rock release this year, and a no-brainer for those who appreciate the refined style of Elliott Smith, Michael Penn, Neil Finn, or Gomez. Combine that with smart, honest songcraft reminiscent of Bob Dylan or Mark Heard, expressing a progression from regret to redemption through a series of metaphorical illustrations, introspective musings, and heartfelt confessionals. Too bad an album this good will go largely overlooked—but at least now you know about it!"
Wow, Neil Finn. You're compared to Neil freakin' Finn. Congrats, Andrew. Much deserved.
As for the rest of the list...
Go here to judge for yourself.
What's on your list of best albums or songs of '06?
posted by Shaun Groves @ 11/21/2006
20 comments
20 Comments:
My favorite by far is downhere's Wide Eyed and Mystified. Glad to see it made number 3 on their list.
Of course, I stopped buying music a couple months ago. Otherwise Mom would complain my Christmas list was too short. Good Monster is high on my wish list.
I'd be interested in hearing thoughts on GOOD MONSTER. I have it, listened to it, didn't fall in love. I love the guys in Jars. Got to tour with them. So I like hearing them play because it feels like a reunion of sorts for me. But the hype for this record was - and continues to be apparently - very thick. And I just wonder if it set a level of expectation for me that the guys could never meet.
Anyone else have it? Love it? Not so much?
Jars Of Clay - Good Monsters
Leeland - Sound Of Melodies
David Crowder Band - B Collision
Andrew Osenga - The Morning
Needtobreathe - Daylight
Downhere - Wide Eyed And Mystified
Not necessarily in that order, but you get the idea.
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Leeland - Sound of Melodies
Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
Jonezetta - Popularity
My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
Wolfmother
The Killers - Sam's Town
I was surprised I didn't love GOOD MONSTER as much as I thought I would. I was even a little disappointed. I've listened to the entire album maybe twice since I bought it. Having said that, I think "Oh My God" is one of the most moving, thoughtful songs I've ever heard.
Top 10 in order of enjoyment:
Joanna Newsom - Ys
Anathallo - Floating World
Andrew Osenga - The Morning
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Letting Go
Peter and the Wolf - Lightness
Red Mountain Church - Help My Unbelief
Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas
Danielson - Ships
Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Eric Peters - Scarce
re: Good Monsters
I think a large response to the album is due to the content--it seems like believers are always baffled into "this is the greatest album ever" whenever CCM's content directly explores the Truth or a radical orthopraxy (any time thoughts are challenged or ideas are explored that we should be exploring anyway as Believers). With that said, I'm not a huge fan of the album, and haven't bought it, but I'm glad Jars created it.
Ditto Sam's Town.
"Sam's Town" was good, "Good Moster" was kinda a let down. I really Like Skillet's new anthemic sound in "Comatose". I haven't heard anything of Andrew Osengas that I didn't like but I have yet to get his new CD. Any reviews of Sufjan Stevens new CD?
top 10 albums/or songs of 06'
appendix a: bootlegs and b sides-andrew peterson
nickel creek-why should the fire(yes it was released in 05. but since they are breaking up, it deserves ranking in 06)
gravity/love-sandra mccracken
all will be well-gabe dixon band
it don't have to change-john legend
stand still look pretty-the wreckers
chasing mississippi-dave barnes
twentysomething-jamie cullum(cd & song)
shout out loud-amos lee
anything's possible-johnny lang
"Vista" by David Wilcox was my favorite. I just discovered who he was this year. I was like, "I can't believe I've never heard this guy before!" His lyrics and guitar playing are amazing.
Wow, great taste. From everybody.
David Wilcox changed my definition of a "good" lyric. Made me rewrite a few dozen songs in an effort to get even close to his skill. Not there yet. But he makes me want to keep trying.
I didn't know he had a new one. Gotta check that out.
Don't have the new Sufjan either. Can't suck. It's Sufjan. He's got how many more states to go?
Anyone else we're forgetting?
Wow, great taste. From everybody.
David Wilcox changed my definition of a "good" lyric. Made me rewrite a few dozen songs in an effort to get even close to his skill. Not there yet. But he makes me want to keep trying.
I didn't know he had a new one. Gotta check that out.
Don't have the new Sufjan either. Can't suck. It's Sufjan. He's got how many more states to go?
Anyone else we're forgetting?
My favorite release this year has been from Taylor Sorensen and the Trigger Code "They May Lock Us Up, They May Make Us Bleed." Absolutely outstanding and I'm ready for another copy. My first is wearing out! "Bullet Proof" is my favorite cut.
Beth
I had Derek Webb's Mockingbird at the top of my list for 2005 (a near tie with Bart Millard's Hymned), but since they place it in 2006, I'll put it at the top of my 2006 list.
I found the first three volumes of Sufjan's Christmas albums on the web supposedly legally for free before the announcement of their commercial availability. I've listened to the other two in their entirety here and really dig'em. They may inch into first place for 2006 over time.
Jars is definitely on the top of my list. Like most albums, we tend to focus on the tracks that catch us at first. Oh My God, is definitely one of those. I listen to the album like this 1,2,5,6,7,8.
Also - Newsboys surprised me with Go. First album I've really liked from them since Take Me to Your Leader.
Favorite albuns of 2006 are the new Bob Dylan (Modern Times), and Johnny Cash's "American V: A Hundred Highways".
one that was most played this year was the soundtrack to Elizabethtown. not sure if it was released this year or last.
Snow Patrol "Eyes Open"
Death Cab For Cutie "Plans:Video ALbum"
I am going to agree with the previous poster on Dave Barnes and "Chasing Mississippi." Mr. Osenga gets a nod as top album as well.
Other albums I might throw in the mix are John Mayer's Continuum, Johnny Lang and The Curious Geroge soundtrack from Jack Johnson.
As for Good Monsters, I love it. Good album beginning to end.
Good Monsters is my favorite Jars album. My favorite tracks are Work, Dead Man, Oh My God, and Light Gives Heat. I think it's a really strong album all around.
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