Best and Worst of 2006 - Music

Best

This is Nora Jones? This is Nora Jones!

Best Artist Transformation: Norah Jones
Remember when Garth Brooks tried to push his alter ego in our faces? Chris Gaines was just downright creepy. The last artist I imagined would attempt the alter ego/side project was Norah Jones but that’s exactly what she’s done. And she’s done a mighty fine job. Norah put her “snore-a” music on hold to take on rocking hard with her band El Madmo. I hear the music is going to be part of an indie film starring Norah and her band. Hot!

Best Anti-Bush Song: “Standing in the Way of Control” The Gossip
Best Voice: Beth Ditto, The Gossip
Best “Move Along” Song: “Irreplaceable” Beyonce
Best Dance Song (That Hasn’t Been Played Into the Ground): “Let’s Make Love and Listen To Death From Above” CSS

Lily Allen
Best Artist to Come Out of MySpace: Lily Allen
Lily Allen was having trouble getting her album released with Regal Records (UK) so she started uploading tracks to her MySpace profile in Nov 05. Bloggers took note, myspaceters “friend requested” and before she knew it the buzz caught on and her first single was released in April 06. See everyone, it can be done!

Best Song to Get Bizzy To: “Downtown” Peaches
Best Song to Kill Yourself To: “The Greatest” Cat Power
Best Song to Make You Feel Inspired: “Rise Up With Fists” Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins

Best Use of Crazy Grunts and Moans to Help Ruin an Otherwise Good Record: Regina Spektor (a.k.a. Rejayjay Inspector)
Regina Spektor is a talented musician who would have a great album had she not felt the need to throw in her quirky “uhg”s and “ooh”s at every turn. We get it, Regina. You’re different. Now can you just play your music?

Song That Got Stuck in My Head the Longest (in a good way): “True Affection” The Blow
Best Rap Song: “Love Me or Hate Me” Lady Sovereign
Best Album of the Year: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood - Neko Case

Worst

My “worst of” list bounced back and forth between Fergie and Gwen Stefani’s embarrassing sophomore album. Categories included:

Worst Rip-Off of Gwen Stefani: Fergie, followed closely in 2nd by Gwen Stefani
Worst Sampling of a Broadway Musical: Gwen Stefani
Worst Song Made to Sound Like It Was Created for a Cheerleading Competition: Fergie
Song That Makes You Wish You Couldn’t Hear…

You get the idea.