KGRL's List Of Influential CDs Of 2006

The Time Machine staff often find themselves listening to other radio stations online when not on the air (and sometimes in the broadcast studio between songs or commercial breaks while on the air but don't let management find out). One of our presets is KGRL.

Despite what people may think, as DJs, The Time Machine Crew are really not fans of our own voices. This one fact is one of the reasons we find ourselves listening to similar sounding playlists on other stations. We've spoken highly of this station before and are blessed with the presence of the esteemed Mysty from KGRL. We greatly admire her dedication and amazing music sweeps that knock us out everytime. As it is the end of the year, Mysty is sharing with you KGRL's list of the most influential CDs of 2006.




Female Fronted



1. Nerina Pallot - Fires & Dear Frustrated Superstar (Re-release) - It's a shame the US folks haven't caught up with the music of Nerina Pallot. Both CDs are phenomenal and both were re-released this year by 14th Floor Records. I guess I just use this as an excuse to list them again under my 2006 list. It's worth the import.



2. The Bird And The Bee - Again And Again And Again.... - The Bird and the Bee is a collaborative effort between Greg Kurstin & Inara George. Inara's soothing and soulful voice breathes life in their 60s albeit modernized sound. I can't wait for their full-length this January.



3. Charlotte Martin - Stromata - CharMar has been around for quite a while now. With Stromata she verges on a new direction of music, electronic. It's amazing how she incorporated electronic music into complexly structured songs, and not the other way around.



4. Leigh Nash - Blue On Blue - My cravings for a new Sixpence None The Richer CD has been satisfied! Blue On Blue is a wonderful CD albeit it lacks the raw band sound Sixpence None The Richer had.



5. Susan Cagle - The Subway Recordings - Very surprising first effort from Susan Cagle. It's interesting how her first full-length is presented, live and recorded in a Subway (yes, complete with all the Crowd/Train noises in the background) - gotta give HUGE props to that.



6. Courtney Jaye - 'Til It Bleeds EP - We just posted our revamped page for Courtney with our review of her recently released EP, 'Til It Bleeds. Courtney is one of the few pop singer/songwriters that sounds the same or even better live. 'Til It Bleeds EP is a vibrant representation of CJ's stellar song-writing skill verging on the upbeat "happy" tones in contrast to the more melancholic Traveling Light.



7. Leah Andreone - Unlabeled EP - Acoustic and Raw... A taste of what's to come from Leah Andreone in 2007 - It just left me wanting for more.



8. Holly Brook - Like Blood Like Honey - Another impressive first effort in the list. The CD is full of wonderfully crafted ballads. Holly is a great performer too...



9. Kate Havnevik - Melankton – This CD features electronic stuff akin to Immi's music. Great stuff! The song Grace, which unfortunately did not make this CD was featured in Grey's Anatomy and generated a lot of new fans for Kate.



10. The Veronicas - The Secret Life Of... - Surprisingly good effort from the Aussie Pop Twins. The record is filled to the brim with beautiful pop ballads and rockers.



11. Krystal Meyers - Dying For A Heart - Christian Pop/Rock music at its best. I'm just reminded of Sixpence None The Richer - being that they were in the same genre.



12. Betty Curse - Here Lies Betty Curse - I proclaim Betty as the new Goth Pop Icon. She definitely made Goth fun to listen to.



13. Dirtie Blonde - Dirtie Blonde - Nothing dirtie about them, but I'm impressed by the solid offering they have with their first full-length. Full-band raw rock ballads fill up the CD.



14. Plumb - Chaotic Resolve - Another of the Christian Rock music at its finest. Tiffany Arbuckle Lee's latest offering is a well-varied mix of slow and upbeat tunes. If you've liked her previous efforts, you're likely to love this one.



15. Lily Allen - Alright Still - Upbeat tunes that are witty, quirky, and lively... All delivered in a feverishly heavy UK accent - not that I'm complaining :).



16. Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope - You gotta give proper ReSpek for Regina for putting out an amazing collection of materials in this record… a Great Anti-Folk CD.



17. The Submarines - Declare A New State! - Blake Hazard's voice just reminds me a lot of Nina Persson... I mostly enjoy the songs sung by Blake… awesome CD nonetheless.



18. Veruca Salt - IV - I have to say, this Nina-less Veruca offering is quite great. I'll even go on to say that this is my favorite Veruca Salt record of all - a LOT of great melodies and hard rocking tunes.



19. Evanescence - The Open Door - I'm not much of a fan of their CD "Fallen" but this one is really good... really good that it makes my influencial CD list of 2006. The slow ballads are perfect (Good Enough) and the rock songs are really rocking (Weight Of The World/Sweet Sacrifice).



20. The Wreckers - Stand Still, Look Pretty - Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp duo offers a good collection of well-written, edgy and rootsy compositions with this CD.



21. Sarah Slean - Orphan Music - The CD contains live performances by Sarah Slean, orchestra version of some of her old songs and a couple of new tracks. I really enjoy the orchestra version of "Weight" but "Somebody's Arms" and "Mary" live versions are the highlights of this CD.



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Male



1. Dream Theater - Score - There's nothing I can say to justify the greatness of this band. Live recording of new songs off of their recent Octavarium CD are in this CD. There isn't a lot of metal bands out there that can incorporate Orchestra in a live show but they did a great job in this show. Even better is the DVD version where you can just stare and marvel at how they flawlessly execute complex songs with ease.



2. Muse - Black Holes And Revelations - It's just as good as Absolution and Origin of Symmetry. Matthew Bellamy and the boys did it again. Everyone just gets to wonder again how the trio will perform the new songs live. It's just as amazing though less complex than Dream Theater songs.



3. Dramagods - Love - I've been a fan of Nuno Bettencourt ever since the band Extreme. Great collection of songs with a bit of technical stuff graciously included, which i am thankful for... I miss the wonderful Nuno Bettencourt solos.



4. John Mayer - Continuum - Very raw and vintage sounding. A must have for those who like John Mayer.



5. Harem Scarem - Human Nature - A CD that closely resembles their opus, Mood Swings. Its fun to listen to them re-create the 90s era with an updated modern sounds. If you're a fan of Melodic Rock then look no further, they're the masters of the genre.



6. Paul Gilbert - Get Out Of My Yard - Fabulous highly technical instrumental guitar CD.



7. Butch Walker - Rise & Fall of Butch Walker & The Let's-Go-Out-Tonites - Gotta love Butch! I fell in love with his music way back since Marv 3. I'm not that much impressed with this CD but it's still worthy of being included in this list.



8. Incubus - Light Grenades - Just try not to think of them as a band who made the CDs S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and Enjoy Incubus and you'll appreciate the new CD. It's nothing like their old sound but it's still worth a listen.



Posted by Mysty


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