Before a full week goes into 2007, I wanted to follow-up the "Film Folks' Favorite Albums of 2006" with my own list. My list has 25 albums. You might think I'm indecisive, but I assure you, I've purchased or received a disgusting amount of albums this year as evidenced by my "Five Albums Worth Your Dime" column. So if you're looking for a fair ratio, you're actually getting it with my list of 25 "finalists." So, here we go, my Top 25 albums of 2006:

1. Lily Allen, Alright, Still
(No other album this year was as fresh, as infectious, as smart, and as funny, as this debut from the Brit sensation. She's the anti-Fergie, the anti-Beyonce, the anti-Gwen. She's a force. Only available as a UK import until later this month.)
2. Annuals, Be He Me
(Some can dismiss it as an Arcade Fire clone, but that doesn't changethe fact that it's a splendid, loud, beautiful indie pop masterpiece.)
3. Ghostface Killah, Fishschale and More Fish
(Two full-length albums released in the same year by one MC. And they are both about as amazing as anything else in the hip-hop world of 2006.)
4. Lupe Fiasco, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
(The whole "skateboard rap" thing is a sorry attempt at a fad... but the album behind it, completely delivers. This is what the disappointing Pharrell solo record should have been.)
5. TV On the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
(Fuzzed-out punk and soul never sounded so absolutely pristine and poetic.)
6. The Sammies, The Sammies
(Debut from a young bunch of North Carolina power-poppers is the antidote to Kings of Leon overhype.)
7. Band of Horses, Everything All the Time
(If any new indie-rock band deserves to be arena-rockers... they do.)
8. Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury
(Worth all the delays... and great to see The Neptunes back on top.)
9. The Knife, Silent Shout
(An acidic nightmare you can hum along to.)
10. T.I., King
(The best Dirty South rap record of the year. Hands down.)
11. Cat Power, The Greatest
(So timeless and sweet, you have to check the copyright date.)
12. Bob Dylan, Modern Times
(How does he still do it? And, so damn well?)
13. Phoenix, It's Never Been Like That
(Third time's a charm... and this French rock band's best album yet. Perfect for walking around London, completely lost.)
14. Chad VanGaalen, Skelliconnection
(Beautiful. Memorable. Classic. Odd.)
15. The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
(The highlight here is not even Jack White, but blissful pop songsmith Brendan Benson.)
16. Grand National, Kicking the National Habit
(What it would sound like if Sting still made music with The Police. Well.)
17. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Show Your Bones
(The "new" Sleater-Kinney, the "old" Liz Phair... Karen O. rocks it all.)
18. The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
(How Capitol Records let them get away with it, I have no idea... but thank god.)
19. The Long Winters, Putting the Days to Bed
(Indie-rock's best-kept secret... everyone in the world can love at least one of this band's songs.)
20. Robbie Williams, Rudebox
(An import-only in Europe, probably forever, this mix of beats and melody is reason enough why he needs a U.S. record deal again.)
21. Brothers & Sisters, Brothers & Sisters
(Austin-based collective of countrified Americana and Cali-pop sensibility.)
22. Beck, The Information
(I actually prefer this, over last year's Guero.)
23. The Roots, Game Theory
(Experimental and brave... two things we rarely see in mainstream hip-hop.)
24. Art Brut, Bang Bang Rock 'n' Roll
(The smartest comedy and sharpest punk-rock, this side of Sacha Baron Cohen.)
25. Film School, Film School
(The first good album of 2006, from way back in January... and now, the 25th best overall. A great album, but a pretty good year.)

So, here we are, the final list of "Film Folks' Five Favorite Albums for 2006." It's been interesting to see what albums have topped the lists of filmmakers and other industry insiders. If I were to tally the results (and I won't), it would likely result in a list of frontrunners that include 2006 releases from: Arctic Monkeys, Band of Horses, The Beatles, Beck, Neko Case, Cat Power, Clipse, The Decemberists, Bob Dylan, Ghostface Killah, The Knife, Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins, Joanna Newsom, The Raconteurs, TV On the Radio, Scott Walker, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Yo La Tengo. That said, don't be shocked if any or all of these artists find their way onto an indie-film soundtrack, or the bill at a film festival party.

I'd like to thank all of the "film folks" who participated in this last-minute idea for my blog. Hopefully, it offered some year-end enlightenment all around, and helped make some additions on everyone's iTunes playlists. If anyone out there would like to include their best-albums list for 2006, feel free to post a comment below. So, without further ado, one last time: What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the 11th batch of picks:

David Hudson, editor, GreenCine Daily
("What, people still listen to 'albums?' My iPod's crammed with samples and teasers carpet-bombed so severely throughout the RSS feeds, it's tough enough just to keep up with the band names, much less go back for a decisive third or fourth listen: do I want 50 minutes more? So my album downloading tended towards the 'event' releases this year. A singles list would surely look very, very different indeed. But okay, albums:")

1. Scritti Politti, White Bread Black Beer
("It fell from the sky. One of the late 20th century's most intriguing artistic entities issues an early 21st century statement just like that, out of blue. Endlessly explorable.")
2. Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
("Each year, you need an album that'll make you get up and move around. This year, for me, this was the one.")
3. Beck, The Information
("iTunes does not lie. Last year's Guero and the Boards of Canada remix of 'Broken Drum' guaranteed I'd be going for this one as a whole and, as the numbers have it, the 'Think I'm in Love' through 'Soldier Jane' coup is the stretch I've run most often this year.")
4. Massive Attack, Collected
("Every one of their releases has more stuff you don't need than stuff you need, but I'm a completist when it comes to Massive Attack. 'Small Time Shoot 'em Up' alone will hold you over."
5.(tie) Bob Dylan, Modern Times and Tom Waits, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards
("Two of America's greatest musicologists were in some sort of general assessment mood this year. You just knew you'd have to go for the whole damn thing each time around and, however spotty that whole damn thing might be, it's essential.")

Jeff Israel, filmmaker, Back and Forth Films

1. The Knife, Silent Shout
2. Ellen Allien and Apparat, Orchestra of Bubbles
3. Lily Allen, Alright, Still
4. Cat Power, The Greatest
5. Au Revoir Simone, Verses of Comfort, Assurance and Salvation

Hiliary Kerby, sales/marketing rep, SXSW

1. The Black Keys, Magic Potion
("I looooooove The Black Keys.")
2. The Flaming Lips, At War with the Mystics
("Great album, great tour.")
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Show Your Bones
4. The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
("I used to a have a crush on Jack White until I heard he punched the Von Bondies guy in the face 7 times. I'm not a Von Bondies fan. I just thought it was a little excessive, but I can't stay mad at Jack.")
5. Hank Williams Jr., That's How They Do It in Dixie: The Essential Collection
("It's probably not fair to put a greatest hits album in the top 5 pick, but the Ben Folds Five song, 'Your Redneck Past,' best explains my reasoning for this pick.")

Seth Nagel, acquisitions consultant, Hart Sharp Video

1. The Elected, Sun, Sun, Sun
("Loved this CD from part of Rilo Kiley.")
2. Jack Johnson, Curious George soundtrack
("I've listened to this more this year than any other album [having a kid will do that]. This is the perfect kids album that adults will love just as much.")
3. Snow Patrol, Eyes Open
4. My Morning Jacket, Z
("Yes it came out in late 2005 but it was so different from the last album that I did not fall in love with it until this year.")
5. Goldspot, Tally of the Yes Men
("Also released in 2005 but I did not discover it until this year. A really good alternative band.")

John Pierson, co-president, Grainy Pictures

1. What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves boxed set (Disc 2)
2. What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves boxed set (Disc 1)
3. What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves boxed set (Disc 4)
4. What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves boxed set (Disc 3)
5. What It Is! Funky Soul & Rare Grooves boxed set (the booklet)
("An exemplary Rhino package. Sure all 4 discs & booklet come in one box, but listing this jaw-dropping 1967-77 collection only once wouldn't do it justice.")

Thom Powers, documentary programmer, Toronto International Film Festival
("For the sake of variety, I’ll highlight five documentary-related memories from the Toronto International Film Festival, as enshrined by 2006 releases:")

1. The Dixie Chicks never sounded like a band for me. My mistake. Since the revelation of Barbara Kopple & Cecilia Peck’s Shut Up & Sing, my iPod has the new album Taking the Long Way in heavy rotation.
2. Among the biggest YouTube moments at TIFF 06 was the campfire sing-a-long with The Flaming Lips, who provided music for Bradley Beesley and Sarah Price’s Summercamp! The Lips’ latest album is At War with the Mystics.
3. Wyclef Jean gave a three-hour performance at a TIFF 06 party in support of Asger Leth’s haunting film about Haitian gang leaders Ghosts of Cite Soleil. Wyclef scored the film with Jerry Duplessis. That deserves an album of its own – along with Haitian rapper "2Pac" who’s at the center of the film. Meanwhile, we have Wyclef’s catchy collaboration with Claudette Ortiz, “Dance Like This."
4. The Kronos Quartet contributed their eclectic skills to the score of Macky Alston’s The Killer Within at TIFF 06. This year, Kronos performed on the album Reich: Different Trains, Electric Counterpoint. Also see their 2005 collaboration with the legendary Bollywood playback singer Asha Bosle, You’ve Stolen My Heart.
5. Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man – the soundtrack to Lian Lunson’s film that premiered at TIFF 05. Note especially, Antony’s rendition of "If It Be Your Will."

Mark Rabinowitz, blogger, The Rabbi Report

1. Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not
("I concur with what Mr. Odenkirk wrote in an earlier post. Just because they're popular doesn't mean they aren't great and just because the songs are written by a 20 year-old doesn't make them any less brilliant. An XTC for the 21st century, Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs are the modern chroniclers of every day English life. If Charles Bukowski were a twenty-year old from Sheffield, he'd be Alex Turner...that's after he was Shane McGowan, of course!")
2. Dirty Pretty Things, Waterloo to Anywhere
("A rousing and rollicking punk classic for the new century.")
3. The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
("The closest thing to Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea since the latter's release. Not a mean feat and a magnificent concept album in a time when those generally don't exist. A major-label release with two 10-plus minute songs? Unheard of.")
4. James Hunter, People Gonna Talk
("My most recommended CD of the year. A mix of Sam Cooke and Van Morrison, The British Hunter is a true original and deserves to be heard Stateside.")
5. Bruce Springsteen, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
("I can't be more enthusiastic about Springsteen and his devotion to traditional American music. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who brings "We Shall Overcome" into modern popular culture wins my support.")
6. Various Artists, Shortbus soundtrack
("A perfect collection of pop songs in the film translate easily to the soundtrack album. 'Boys of Melody' by The Hidden Cameras might be the most beautiful song I've heard in years and this soundtrack is the perfect launching pad for people to discover some bands they might not already know.")

Jason Tobias, film production consultant, SXSW

1. Psapp, The Only Thing I Ever Wanted
2. Sean Lennon, Friendly Fire
3. The Blow, Paper Television
4. The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
5. Ratatat, Classics

Lance Weiler, director of Head Trauma

1. Beck, The Information
2. Grizzly Bear, Yellow House
3. Britta & Dean, Sonic Souvenirs (2003)
4. The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
5. Various Artists, Cursed - the HEAD TRAUMA movie project
("It's an alternate soundtrack that syncs to Head Trauma in the vien of Darkside of the Moon / Wizard of Oz.")

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the 10th batch of picks:

Roger Kass, film rep and attorney, RingTheJing Entertainment

1. Beck, The Information
2. The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
3. Duncan Sheik, Spring Awakening Original Broadway Cast Album
4. The Game, Doctor's Advocate
5. Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere
"Special Bonus Track: Jeff Buckley's 'Forget Her.'"

Anderson Le, director of programming, Hawaii International Film Festival

1. Belle and Sebastian, The Life Pursuit
2. Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Show Your Bones
4. The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
5. The Beatles, Love

Michael Lerman, programmer, Philadelphia Film Festival and Woodstock Film Festival

1. Portugal The Man, Waiter: "You Vultures!"
2. Nas, Hip Hop is Dead
3. Girl Talk Night Ripper
4. TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
5. Nellie McKay, Pretty Little Head

Jared Moshe, producer, Sidetrack Films

1. The Killers, Sam's Town
("Because if you get passed the BS, it's really pretty fun.")
2. The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
("I haphazardly heard it a couple of times and thought 'eh,' but then its got its claws in me and I realized how fantastic the album really was.")
3. The Gothic Archies, Songs from a Series of Unfortunate Events
("I know it's for kids, but I need my Magnetic Fields fix.")
4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Show Your Bones
("A truly great second album."
5. TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
("The big surprise of the year for me.")

Bart Weiss, president, Video Association of Dallas
("Music list, in no order.")

Stereolab, Fab Four Suture
Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way
Neil Young, Living With War
Brave Combo, Hollidays
John Zorn, Film Works, Vol. 17: Notes on Marie Menken/Ray Bandar: A Life with Skulls

Stay tuned for more!

As the New Year beckons, we come closer to the last few lists from this year's film folks. Once we're all done with everyone else (probably just after January 1), I'll post my own list...

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the ninth batch of picks:

Jeffrey Abramson, film coordinator, Gen Art

1. Josh Radin, We Were Here
2. Quincy Coleman, Come Closer
3. The Felice Brothers, Through These Reins and Gone
4. Michael Franti and Spearhead, Yell Fire!
5. Dana Varon, Back To My Roots

("I picked these artists because I think they are all doing something very unique and helping shake things up in their own way. I am blessed with knowing several of them personally and getting to watch them as they rise. It is a diverse slate but all of them resonate with me. I could have picked some more typical albums as well [M. Ward, Jose Gonzalez, Brazillian Girls, Sufjan Stevens, Celexico, Dylan, Young etc.] but I thought I'd pick artists who aren't blogged to death about already and might expose people to some new sounds.")

Matthew Bissonnette, director of Who Loves the Sun

1. M. Ward, Post-War
2. Ghostface Killah, Fishscale
3. Eric Bachman, To The Races
4. Portastatic, Be Still Please
5. Twilight Singers, Powder Burns

Kent Osborne, co-star of the upcoming Hannah Takes the Stairs and short film The Pipe
("In no particular order.")

Yo La Tengo, I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
Joanna Newsom, Ys
DJ Shadow Funky Skunk
Yo La Tengo, I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
Yo La Tengo, I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass

Annie Roney, founder, Ro*Co Films International
("Women [and bands who feature women] Who Ruled 2006")

1. The Gossip, Standing in the Way of Control
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Show Your Bones
3. Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
4. Yo La Tengo, I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
5. Cat Power, The Greatest

Rajendra Roy, programmer, Hamptons International Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival

1. Sufjan Stevens, A Sun Came: Second Edition
("Not sure of actual date... But I got it this year.")
2. Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSounds
3. Jay Z, Kingdom Come
4. Scissor Sisters, Ta-da
5. John Legend, Once Again

Stay tuned for more!

As the New Year beckons, we come closer to the last few lists from this year's film folks. Once we're all done with everyone else (probably just after January 1), I'll post my own list...

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the eighth batch of picks:

Shawn Badgley, associate editor, The Austin Chronicle

1. Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
2. Tanya Donelly, This Hungry Life
3. Cat Power, The Greatest
4. Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat
5. Karen Dalton, In My Own Time (reissue)

Aaron Katz, director of Dance Party, USA and the upcoming Quiet City
("In no order:")

1. Bruce Springsteen, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
("Pretty amazing. I'm close to loving this album.")
2. Joanna Newsom, Ys
("Sort of like Astral Weeks. But, unlike Astral Weeks, not the greatest album ever.")
3. Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury
("This might wind up being my real favorite of the year. I haven't had enough time for it to sink in yet.")
4. Mates of State, Bring it Back
("I was real skeptical of this album before I heard it. As it turns out it's really sincere and not the exact same thing as every other Mates of State record.")
5. Cat Power, The Greatest
("I'm a sucker for anything Chan Marshall does.")

David Magdael, publicist, David Magdael & Associates

1. Corinne Bailey Rae, Corinne Bailey Rae
("One of the most original freshest sounds to come out this year. No one can really pin point her style - is it R&B/Soul or pop or easy listening. Whatever it is, it's talent and this young woman from the UK has it. Watch for more from her in 2007. Her live set is amazing, as well.")
2. Mary J. Blige, The Breakthrough
("Probably one of the best albums of her career - assembling every style of music the Hip Hop Soul Queen masters. She's come a long way and this album will be one of the many in her life that will be defining for her. Her voice is at her strongest and her consistent giving in all of her performances are truly mesmerizing.")
3. Dennis Ferrer and Kerri Chandler, Soul Heaven Presents Dennis Ferrer and Kerri Chandler
("One of the best in the ongoing series of soulful house music sets coming out of this UK based label boasting from a London club specializing in this distinct type of house music resonnating in vocals, heavy bass, and a beat that will not let you sit down. Veteran US DJ/Producer/Writer Kerri Chandler shows off his wares and his talent for not only choosing great tunes to play, but as a writer producer, while recent European super DJ/Producer Dennis Ferrer shows off his distinct taste for serious soulful sounds including his own infectious anthem of this past year "Son of Raw." The third bonus CD includes some of this year's outstanding songs including 'Cure and the Cause" from Fish Go Deep and the booty shaking gospel rousing floor filler "He Is" by Song Williamson. A must have for househeads and a great primer for the newly converted.")
4. Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere
("Probably one of the most popular new groups this year. With the infectious 'Crazy' playing every radio and bumping every SUV soundsystem across the globe, Cee Lo and Danger Mouse were everywhere and rightly so.")
5. Luther Vandross, The Essential Luther Vandross
("What can you say? The title says it all. A must for all Luther lovers and a good set to have for those who just need something in their collection to remember one of the most influential vocalists of our time. Album includes never before released tunes, as well.")

"Worst Album of 2006: Janet Jackson, JANET 20 Y.O. Nothing new here from Miss Jackson. Too bad - she's got the talent. She once was a trail blazer - now she sounds like everyone else. It's time for her to break new ground -that's why we loved her so much. Better yet, don't buy this one - replay 'Got Til It's Gone' - it will remind you why she was an important artist."

Adam Nee, co-director and star of The Last Romantic

1. Band Marino, The Sea And The Beast
2. Ferraby Lionheart, Ferraby Lionheart EP
3. Chris Garneau, Music For Tourists
4. Cat Power, The Greatest
5. Joshua Bell, Voice of the Violin

("You can find the top three artists on MySpace.")

Ti West, director of The Roost, and the upcoming Trigger Man

1. The Lawrence Arms, Oh! Calcutta!
2. The Falcon, Unicornography
3. Dragonforce, Inhuman Rampage
4. None More Black, This is Satire
5. The Mr. Move, Easy

Stay tuned for more!

As the New Year beckons, we come closer to the last few lists from this year's film folks. Once we're all done with everyone else (probably just after January 1), I'll post my own list...

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the seventh batch of picks:

Steve Anderson, director of Fuck

1. Bob Dylan, Modern Times
("The best just gets better. Why no Grammy love?")
2. Solomon Burke, Nashville
("Let the big man show the country folk how it's done.")
3. Johnny Cash, American V: A Hundred Highways
("Thanks for one more John.")
4. Los Lobos, The Town and the City
("Perfect LA soundtrack.")
5. ("a tie for two perfect pairings")
Eric Clapton/JJ Cale, The Road to Escodido & Mark Knopfler/Emmylou Harris, All The Roadrunning

Marie-Therese Guirgis, acquisitions/distribution consultant
("In no order:")

Cat Power, The Greatest
Bob Dylan, Modern Times
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Show Your Bones
Gnarls Barkley, St Elsewhere
TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain

("I think it was a soft year for great albums. Even these 5, I don't feel as crazy about as I did about new albums in recent years. I listened to much more old music than new, this year.")

Eugene Hernandez, co-founder/editor-in-chief, indieWIRE
("Five new albums from '06 that seemed to really stick with me this year:")

1. Various Artists, Shortbus soundtrack
2. Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not
3. Dangerous Muse, Give Me Danger EP
4. Erasure, Union Street
5. The Beatles, Love

("However, since I always keep my iPOD on shuffle, I've enjoyed a number of individual tracks from various artists [sorry, some may not even be from '06], including: The Decemberists, Brazilian Girls, Goldfrapp, Of Montreal, Imogen Heap, Lady Sovereign, Thom Yorke, Scissor Sisters, Nouvelle Vague, and Koop.")

Gill Holland, executive producer of Sweet Land, and co-founder of sonaBLAST! Records

1. Kelley McRae, Never Be
("Four stars in Paste magazine. Emmylou meets Patty Griffin. The song 'Johnny Cash,' will endure.")
2. The Old Ceremony, Our One Mistake
("Best band from Chapel Hill, since Ben Folds Five or Squirrel Nut Zippers, and worthy of following their footsteps.")
3. Cat Power, The Greatest
("We love Chan for years now...")
4. Block, The Last Single Guy
("NYC’s WFUV DJ and taste-maker Claudia Marshall at WFUV’s 'top ten album of the year' as well. The original anti-folk singer is back!")
5. Konono No. 1, Congotronics
("It is all about Ugandan thumb pianos and distortion.")

("And yes, while of course three of these are sonaBLAST! releases, I love them!!!!!!")

A.J. Schnack, director of Kurt Cobain About A Son

1. Band of Horses, Everything All the Time
2. Belle & Sebastian, The Life Pursuit
3. The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
4. Silversun Pickups, Carnavas
5. Yo La Tengo, I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
("honorable mention: Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way. This may be based solely on Natalie Maines' raw, impassioned performance of 'Not Ready to Make Nice' on the Letterman show last spring and Barbara Kopple & Cecilia Peck's fine Shut Up & Sing.")

Stay tuned for more!

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the sixth batch of picks:

Malcolm Ingram, director of Small Town Gay Bar

1. The Killers, Sam's Town
("I tried not to like them. For serious!")
2. The Hidden Cameras, Awoo
("Phil Spector meets Morrissey. Do yourself a favor and also grab Mississauga Goddam and The Smell of Our Own.")
3. Various Artists, Monkey Warfare soundtrack
("The coolest swag at this years Toronto Film Fest was vinyl copies of the soundtrack to this urban revolutionary sweetheart of a flick. Sun Ra Arkestra, Weird War, and The Pink Mountaintops. Yes, please.")
4. The Fembots, Small Town Murder Scene
("Ok, so it came out a few years ago. But I just got into it this year.....and chances are y'all have never heard it. Top notch tunes by the greatest band....with the most ill fitting name. Whoever doesn't like this CD is just plain being silly.")
5. The Beatles, Love
("Has no business being as good as it is. Then again...Its the fucking Beatles.")

Stephen Kijak, co-director of Cinemania, and director of the upcoming Scott Walker: 30 Century Man

1. Scott Walker, The Drift
("Having spent 4 years making a film about the man I was thrilled that his first album in over a decade was a minbogglingly audacious masterstroke.")
2. Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
("Country-noir siren returns with best work yet - one of the best lyricists around; strange, haunting, and my lord, that voice!")
3. Richard Hawley, Cole's Corner
("Technically '05, but got non-stop play this year: a classicist in the Roy Orbison/Johnny Cash tradition; timeless romantic melancholy.")
4. The Knife, Silent Shout
("Darkwave freaks from Sweden. Bird-masks, monkey costumes, cold and spooky electro made me want to party like it's 1984.")
5. Thom Yorke, The Eraser
("Grumpy Thom goes glitch - minimal yet melodic, my fave headmusic for rainy days.")

Joe Swanberg, director of LOL, and the upcoming Hannah Takes the Stairs
("Through all of the craziness of 2006, I have found comfort and companionship from the same 5 albums, none of which are actually from this year. New music has seemed to pass me by entirely, and the only things I've been able to listen to all year are:")

1. Of Montreal, Cherry Peel (1997)
("Minutes can make memories that last a life time. I distort my minutes of beauty into something that they're not.")
2. Counting Crows, Across A Wire (Live) (1998)
("We make a lifetime commitment to recovering the satellites, and all anybody really wants to know is...when are you gonna come down?")
3. The Get Up Kids, Something To Write Home About (1999)
("I think it's really gonna happen this time. The calls are on the company dime.")
4. DJ Danger Mouse, The Grey Album
("Dudes ask what I do to protect this, shoot at you actors like movie directors.")
5. The Mountain Goats, The Sunset Tree (2005)
("I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me.")

Jarren Wenderlein, my girlfriend (which makes her an honorary film person)

1. Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSounds
2. Damien Rice, 9
3. James Blunt, Back to Bedlam
4. The Game, Doctor's Advocate
5. Nelly Furtado, Loose

("I wanted to put the Fray or Beyonce, but I figured that would result in A LOT of disappointment. I think my animated movie list would have been more fun.")

David Wilson, co-founder/programmer, True/False Film Festival
("I don't buy albums anymore really, so my list is of 5 songs that got the dance party started in '06.")

1. Funky Meters, "Hand Clappin' Song"
("You can find this all over the place, though I recommend getting the incredible Soul Jazz New Orleans Funk compilation. The Meters were the heart of the NO Funk scene and this song is completely irrestistible.")
2. Justin Timberlake, "SexyBack"
("Like many stone cold jams (cf 'Toxic' and 'Hot in Herre'), I wasn't sure about this the first few times I heard it. Elements seemed wrong or at least misplaced. But that was just my brain and my gut adapting to the new style. Obvious? Sure. Unfuckwithable? Completely.")
3. The Sweet, "Wig Wam Bam"
("I found this on the soundtrack to Breakfast on Pluto [Best Soundtrack of 2005/2006!] I had never knowingly listened to The Sweet before. This song shares with all great novelty songs a certain rock candy purity. Put it on. Cavities and foolish dance moves guaranteed to ensue.")
4. Nostalgia 77, "Seven Nation Army"
("Where did this come from? Who are these people. Here's how good this White Stripes cover is -- when I first heard it I was POSITIVE that this was, in fact, the original. It was clear that Jack White had unearthed this impossibly funky 70's obscurity and made mad bank off of it. That this is, in fact, NOT the original somehow makes it even better.")
5. Roger Miller, "My Uncle Used to Love Me but She Died"
("Have you heard this song? Have you heard it 300 times? Welcome to the True/False office. Miller's crazy croon reaches into the back of my brain and fucks with my dopamine levels. I've played this at Missouri dance clubs, a T/F New York loft party and on the community radio station in Telluride, Colorado this year. It kills.")

Stay tuned for more!

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the fifth batch of picks:

Tom Hall, programming director, Sarasota Film Festival

1. Serena Maneesh, Serena Maneesh
("In my opinion, the best record of the year and the best live show I saw in 2006. Can't stop listening to it all these months later.")
2. Ladytron, Witching Hour
("The comeback kids. What a leap forward this record is, and a GREAT live show as well. ")
3. The Knife, Silent Shout
("Dark, moody and not at all what I expected. That's a compliment!")
4. Joanna Newsom, Ys
("No one makes records like this. The first time I heard it, I looked around the room to see if anyone else was hearing what I was hearing. Absolutely amazing.")
5. Camera Obscura, Let's Get Out of This Country
("The perfect pop record. Lush and dreamy.")

Ingrid Kopp, producer, Shooting People

1. Hot Chip, The Warning
2. Bonnie Prince Billy, The Letting Go
3. Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
4. Beirut, Gulag Orkestar
5. Cat Power, The Greatest

Ron Mann, director of Imagine the Sound, Grass, and Tales of the Rat Fink
("My Canadian top five:")

1. Two Hours Traffic, Isolator
("Saw them perform at the Atlantic Film Festival - they are from Prince Edward Island -
and became an instant fan.")
2. Wailin' Jennys, Firecracker
("Another Canadian Band, out of Winnipeg that sends me. Listen to 'Prairie Town' and your heart will break.")
3. Greg Keelor, Aphrodite Rose
("Keelor (from Blue Rodeo's ) solo effort is psychedelicized soul. In rotation on my IPOD.")
4. Neil Young, Living With War
("I saw Neil Young in Ohio this summer lead 30,000 people chant 'Impeach Bush' - Neil continues to inspire.")
5. The Sadies, Tales of the Rat Fink soundtrack
("Ok, a plug. Still, the Sadies are the best thing to come out of Canada. Get the vinyl LP.")

Kyle Thorpe, pubicity and marketing, Focus Features

1. Brazilian Girls, Talk to La Bomb
("The New York Darling's second album is great eclectic fun. See them live if you have a chance.")
2. The Sounds, Dying to Say This to You
("Another sophomore effort, these young Swedes are a great throwback to new wave with amazing style to match. Another live must.")
3. Goldfrapp, Supernature and We Are Glitter
("Although most of these songs have been overly-licensed into recent commercials, the album Supernature is one of the most solid I've heard in a long time... and We Are Glitter, the companion album of remixes by DFA, Flaming Lips, Carl Craig, François K, etc., is a nice added treat.")
4. Renee Fleming, Homage: The Age of the Diva
("The most celebrated American soprano returns with her first opera recital since 2002. It is a collection of mostly rare turn-of-the-century arias that pay tribute to the very women for who these roles were written. This sublime collection is a must for any true classical music aficionado.")
5. The Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way
("Hands down, the best album of the year.")

Michael Tully, director of Cocaine Angel and the upcoming Silver Jew

1. Midlake, The Trials of Van Occupanther
2. Ghostface Killah, Fishscale
3. Destroyer, Destroyer's Rubies
4. Figurines, Skeleton
5. Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury

Stay tuned for many more!

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the fourth batch of picks:

Steven Cantor, co-director of loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies and the upcoming James Blunt: Return to Kosovo

1. Cat Power, The Greatest
("The film business is stressful and Chan Marshall's voice is a lullaby. I play it at night. A lot. And all her other albums too.")
2. TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
("It's lush and expansive and they take some tough political and moral issues to boot. Plus give it up for the exploding NYC/Brooklyn indie music scene, which these guys are now spearheading.")
3. Ali Farka Toure
("If you haven't yet discovered this West African gem of a musician, wait no longer. I would start with his eponymous first album, a masterpiece. Last year's In The Heart of The Moon and this year's Savan, are remarkable.")
4. Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere
("Face it - it's infectious and you like it too. I think you're crazy. Just like me. Enough said.")
5. (tie) Joanna Newsom, Ys and Regina Spektor, Begin to Hope
("Both these singers are breathy and literate and inventive and my 3 year old daughters' favorites so they are in heavy rotation on the ipod. Van Dyke Parks does some incredible things on both of Newsom's albums.")
("Honorable mention - Ghostface Killah, Fishscale. As vital as any hip-hop album in years, and this from an artist in his late thirties.")

Karina Longworth, editor, Netscape.com
("I only have three because I went through this heavy Gershwin phase this year, and most of the stuff I listened to came out in, like, 1931...")

1. Sonic Youth, Rather Ripped
("Sonic Youth are probably my all-time favorite band, but like probably everyone else, I lost faith in their ability to put out a cohesive masterpiece somewhere in the late 90s. This record shut me up.")
2. The Evens, Get Evens
("Fugazi is functionally dead, so Ian MacKaye has been making records with Amy Farina. Pop records, with biting political critique delivered via boy-girl harmonies.")
3. The Big Sleep, Son of the Tiger
("This Brooklyn band can't seem to decide if they want to make super-aggressive instrumentals, or lush, semi-shoegazey ballads. Whatever. Every song on this record is awesome.")

Bob Odenkirk, co-creator/co-host of Mr. Show, director of Let's Go To Prison

1. to 3. Arctic Monkeys
4. Cat Power, The Greatest
5. Bonnie Prince Billy, The Letting Go

("All you assholes start to give the Arctic Monkeys their due. It's not their fault the songs are catchy and therefore inspired a mass buying spree. The lyrics are poetry, dammit. Poetry about plain old shitty life as seen from the eyes of a raving young man. I can't stop playing it. The Cat Power album is so much better than anything she's done, it's in another class. Somebody helped her. And Will Oldham topped himself with his most listenable album of sweet, painful, literate songing.")

Dustin Smith, acquisitions, Roadside Attractions

1. The Hold Steady, Boys and Girls In America
("No record this year made me more nostalgic for the days of sitting in the front seat of some beater in the Midwest with a 16-year-old girl, a six-pack of Beast and a bag of weed. Man, last weekend ruled.")
2. Lily Allen, Alright, Still
("OK, I must admit that I’d love to screw Lily six ways from Sussex . But I hear she’s havin’ a baby in like six months and she’s got herpes, no syphilis, no AIDS, AIDS. That’s it. She’s got AIDS.")
3. The Thermals, The Body, the Blood, the Machine
("A tortured, angry howl against the theocratic, Orwellian police state under which we currently find ourselves. If the Democrats could only muster one-tenth of the intelligent, combative accessibility of this record, we might not all vote for them with our noses held. And oh yeah, it fucking rocks.")
4. Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat
("Being the only straight male in indieland not attracted to Jenny Lewis (hell, Blake is sexier), I am free to fully appreciate this beautiful, haunting record on its own merits. And has there ever been a more emo song than ‘Handle With Care?’ How did I not see it before?")
5. Paul Westerberg, Open Season/Message to the Boys
("Some say that doing the soundtrack for a CGI critter cartoon and recording Replacements’ “reunion” songs for a greatest-hits package is tarnishing the ‘Mats’ legacy. I say shut up.")

David Wingo, composer for George Washington, All the Real Girls, Undertow, and the upcoming Snow Angels.

1. Midlake, The Trials of Van Occupanther
2. El Perro Del Mar, El Perro Del Mar
3. Sunset Rubdown, Shut Up I am Dreaming
4. Band of Horses, Everything All the Time
5. M. Ward, Post-War

Stay tuned for many more!

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the third batch of picks:

Sean Farnel, programming director, Hot Docs
("First, Matt, let me say that two of these picks are a direct result of my annual SXSW trek...and sneaking away for a coupla hours to Waterloo Records. In order of the time of day I most often listen to them:")

1. Sarah Harmer, I'm A Mountain
("I've started many a lazy, cozy Sunday morning with this album recently.")
2. Kelley Stoltz, Below The Branches
("This somehow become my soundtrack for landscaping my backyard on hot August afternoons.")
3. Tokyo Police Club, A Lesson In Crime
("I played this EP, just over a sweet sixteen minutes in length, more than anything else in 2006. Hail a very promising new band from Toronto.")
4. Sonic Youth, Rather Ripped
("Beauty and greatness, again.")
5. The Knife, Silent Shout
("My late-night, existential crisis album.")

Doug Jones, senior programmer, Los Angeles Film Festival

1. Band of Horses, Everything All the Time
2. Tom Waits, Orphans
3. Scott Bradley, Tom and Jerry & Tex Avery Too! Volume 1: The 1950s
4. Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, Rabbit Furcoat
5. Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour
("I know it's not a CD, but I've heard more great music here than anywhere else this year.")

Tim Kirkman, director of Loggerheads

1. Rosanne Cash, Black Cadillac
2. Sufjan Stevens The Avalanche
3. Lamps, Please Come Down
4. Kim Carnes, Chasin' Wild Trains
5. Julia Sweeney, Letting Go of God

Janet Pierson, co-president, Grainy Pictures

1. TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
2. The Long Winters, Putting the Days to Bed
3. Yo La Tengo, I Am Not Afraid of You....
4. Sufjan Stevens, The Avalanche
5. Beck, The Information

Evan Shapiro, EVP and general manager, The Independent Film Channel (IFC)

1. TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
2. The Knife, Silent Shout
3. Man Man, Six Demon Bag
4. Pink, Boris
5. Grizzly Bear, Yellow House

Stay tuned for many more!

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the second batch of picks:

Steven Bognar, co-director of A Lion in the House
("I have six...forgive me.")

1. Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
2. Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere
3. Cat Power, The Greatest
4. Michael Franti & Spearhead, Yell Fire!
5. Los Lobos, The Town and The City
6. The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
("Two anthems are my songs of the year: Michael Franti's 'I Know I'm Not Alone' and the Decemberists 'Sons & Daughters.' They each articulate these mad times.")

Julia Kwan, director of Eve and the Fire Horse
("Okay, I’m a real film nerd because I realize I listen to a lot of film soundtracks. So I decided to choose the five soundtracks making the rounds on my cd changer.")

1. Marie Antoinette
("I love listening to punk 80’s tunes with images of 18th century Versailles swimming around in my head.")
2. Little Miss Sunshine
("Because Mychael Danna is a genius!")
3. Half Nelson
("Great indie film soundtrack, especially the Broken Social Scene songs, which perfectly captured the tone and mood of the film.")
4. Neil Young Heart of Gold
("This recording was done a few weeks after his operation for a brain aneurysm and his father’s death. Added poignancy to this beautiful concert cd.")
5. Colma the Musical
("Best indie musical soundtrack since Hedwig and the Angry Inch. It’s smart, funny, irreverent and extremely catchy!")

Scott Macaulay, producer of Off the Black and editor, Filmmaker magazine

1. Scott Walker, The Drift
2. Thom Yorke, The Eraser
3. Joanna Newsom, Ys
4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Show Yr. Bones
5. Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere

Mike Plante, programmer, Cinevegas/Sundance ("Punk rock lives.")

1. The Bananas, Forbidden Fruit reissue
2. The Fatals, 10" LP
3. Homostupids, The Glow 7”
4. Jay Reatard, Blood Visions
5. The Regulations, Electric Guitar

Jeff Reichert, publicity and marketing, Magnolia Pictures

1. The Hold Steady, BAGIA
2. Destroyer, Destroyer's Rubies
3. Scott Walker, The Drift
4. Liars, Drum's Not Dead
5. Bruce Springsteen, We Shall Overcome

Stay tuned for many more!

(I was gonna post this first batch after Christmas, but so many are coming in, I wanted to get going with it...)

There are so many end-of-the-year lists right now, and so many of the film sites and blogs (this one included) are covered with some sort of "Best Films" list. I decided, in the spirit of this blog, to invite various film industry people to offer their selections for "Best Albums of 2006." So, every weekday until we're done, I will post the lists from five different film folks. What were the albums of 2006 that kept spinning on film sets, in editing rooms, on planes bound for festivals, or in industry offices? Here's the first batch of picks:

JL Aronson, director of Danielson: A Family Movie
1. Half-handed Cloud, Halos & Lassos
("Multi-instrumentalist wonder of the two-minute pop masterpiece.")
2. Yungchen Lhamo, Ama
("Tibetan gal makes good, mixes beats and chants without being cheesy.")
3. Last Man Standing, False Starts & Broken Promises
("English band with American front man plays sick cabaret rock around the continent.")
4. Danielson, Ships
("I mean, come on.")
5. Dreamgirls soundtrack
("Eddie Murphy!")

Emily Feingold, publicity and marketing, The Weinstein Company
1. The Killers, Sam’s Town
("I’m just a fan...")
2. Nelly Furtado, Loose
("Kind of cheesy – but great for dancing & the gym!")
3. Shout Out Louds, Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
("You can listen to every track & want want to skip over any of them.")
4. Bob Dylan, Modern Times
("Always great.")
5. Pete Yorn, Nightcrawler
("Pete Yorn’s music reminds me of an ex-boyfriend, in a good way, and can put a smile on my face.")

Micah Green, agent, CAA
1. Keane, Under the Iron Sea
2. Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
3. Duncan Sheik, White Limousine
4. Phoenix, It's Never Been Like That
5. Charlotte Gainsbourg, 5:55
("Sadly, not out in US yet, but you can buy it online.")

Jarod Neece, Panels & Production Manager, SXSW
1. (tie) Joanna Newsom, Ys & TV On The Radio, Return To Cookie Mountain
2. The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
3. Cat Power, The Greatest
4. Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury
5. Band Of Horses, Everything All The Time

Caveh Zahedi, director of I Am a Sex Addict
1. Belle and Sebastian, The Life Pursuit
2. Frank Black and the Catholics, One More Road for the Hit
3. The Mountain Goats, Get Lonely
4. Bonnie Prince Billy, The Letting Go
5. Joanna Newsom, Ys

Stay tuned for many more!