2006 listening and viewing

by NICK GYE

Albums

1. 'Clap Your Hands Say Yeah' by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. One of the best albums ever, all right thinking people should own this.

2. 'At War with the Mystics' by the Flaming Lips. The third in a brilliant trilogy of psychedelic albums. A must have.

3. 'This is the Magic Mile' by Ed Kuepper. It's a boxed set of just about everything Ed has put out. Over three CDs this shows how Ed K has consistently put out compelling material. Get this along with last year's shattering 'Cruel But Fair' box set for a complete picture of the grumpy Queenslander.

4. 'The Affectionate Punch' by the Associates (remastered re- release of 1980 album). Brilliant, little known, get it, be amazed - lead singer was a committed dog owner (whippets) who later committed suicide.

5. 'Black Acetate' by John Cale,. The old master has had an astonishing renaissance in his 60s with 2003's Hobosapiens and now this.

6. 'Future Days' by Can (remastered release of 1973 album). Krautrock masterpiece, last Can album to feature lead 'singer' Damo Suziki - who went on to become a Jehovah's Witness.

7. 'Living with War' by Neil Young. His best since 'Rust Never Sleeps'.

8. 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' by Arctic Monkeys. Great, but not as brilliant as the hype.

9. 'Estudando' by Tom Z. From the Brazilian master. ' Experimental Brazilian artist Tom Ze, now nearing 70 years old, continues to challenge with this concept album about the struggles of women in a male-dominated world.'

10. 'Personality' by the Sleepy Jacksons. Fabo tunes, don't compare to its predecessor - the sheer brilliance of which cannot be matched.

Most boring: The Mountain Goats 'Get Lonely'.

Most unlistenable: Is of course 'Dark Orgasm' by Julian Cope, some great songs amongst rivers of tedium and tuneless banality. Includes 1 song that I have walked out on (I was in my lounge room at the time).

I can't believe there's no Fall album!!: Seemingly true, no release since October 2005. Astonishing.

Films.

1. Kenny

2. Little Miss Sunshine

3. Thank you for Smoking. Saw all these on plane trips. Loved em all.

Most disappointing: Pirates of the Caribbean (2). Boring, goes on and on and on. Took my daughter to see this. The latest Herbie movie was better.

Worst film I've ever seen. The Lakehouse. Saw it on the plane this year. . Pointless, banal, excoriating. Ok, why did I watch it? I was in business class laying back with a few ports...

Best TV series: Shown currently on TV is OZ. Modern but timeless management tips and hints.

10 December 2006

Clap your hands, it's number one.

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