Fuzzy Lion

2006 was a great year for music, especially when compared to 2005. In fact, I had such a hard time picking my 10 favorite albums that I have expanded my list to 20 this year.

With each record on the following list I have included a list of my favorite tracks, as well as some mp3s to download. If you like what you hear, I urge you to head on over to iTunes, Amazon or your local record store and support these great artists.

Fuzzy Lion’s Top 20 Albums of 2006:

	20. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time Best Tracks: “Our Swords” / “The Funeral” / “Monsters”
	19. M. Ward - Post War Best Tracks: “Post War” / “Eyes on the Prize” / “Rollercoaster”
	18. Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther Best Tracks: “Roscoe” / “Van Occupanther” / “It Covers the Hillsides”
	17. Damien Rice - 9 Best Tracks: “9 Crimes” / “Coconut Skins” / “Sleep, Don’t Weep”
	16. Dears - Gang of Losers Best Tracks:”Ticket To Immortality” / “You and I Are a Gang of Losers” / “Ballad of Humankindness”
	15. Hem - Funnel Cloud Best Tracks: “He Came To Meet Me” / “Not California” / “Too Late To Turn Back Now”
	14. Caroline - Murmurs Best Tracks: “Pink & Black” / “All I Need” / “Where’s My Love”
	13. Bob Dylan - Modern Times Best Tracks: “Spirit On the Water” / “Working Man’s Blues #2″ / “Nettie Moore”
	12. The Twilight Singers - Powder Burns Best Tracks” “Bonnie Brae” / “Underneath the Waves” / “Dead To Rights”
	11. Ill Lit - Tom Cruise Best Tracks: “Across Country” / “The Ghost of Presston Brown” / “Worth the Wait”
	10. Rainer Maria - Catastrophe Keeps Us Together Best Tracks” “Catastrophe” / “Life of Leisure” / “Terrified”
	9. The Elected - Sun, Sun, Sun Best Tracks: “Would You Come With Me” / “Fireflies In a Steel Mill” / “Not Going Home”
	8. Gomez - How We Operate Best Tracks: “See the World” / “Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol” / “Girlshapedlovedrug”
	7. French Kicks - Two Thousand Best Tracks: “So Far We Are” / “Also Ran” / “Basement D.C.”
	6. Embrace - This New Day Best Tracks: “Nature’s Law” / “Target” / “The End Is Near”
	5. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass Best Tracks: “Mr. Tough” / “Black Flowers” / “Beanbag Chair”
	4. Mates of State - Bring It Back Best Tracks: “Think Long” / “Like U Crazy” / “Running Out”
	3. Mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You Best Tracks: “Breaking the Ice” / “Most Days” / “To Hold Your Tiny Toes”
	2. Cat Power - The Greatest Best Tracks: “Lived In Bars” / “Could We” / “Living Proof”
	1. Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope Best Tracks: “On the Radio” / “Better” / “Hotel Song”

Because Fuzzy Lion has such love for Gomez’s How We Operate album, the band has been kind enough to donate a prize pack to give away to one lucky reader.

To enter, simply post a haiku in the comments explaining why you think you should win. We’ll chose the best poem and the winner will receive:

• One clear blue, limited-edition 7″ vinyl “How We Operate” single
• One autographed poster
• One copy of “How We Operate” album

The winner will be notified on Saturday, May 6 by email, so be sure to leave your correct address when commenting. Happy haikuing!

Here’s a link to the video for Gomez’s first single, “How We Operate.”

The more I listen to this record, the better it gets. It’s by far one of the top 3 albums of 2006.

Gomez will be releasing their fifth studio album, How We Operate, on May 2, and if it doesn’t make it on many people’s “Best Of” lists at the end of the year I’ll be VERY shocked.

The albums is a slight departure from the Gomez of old due in large part to producer Gil Norton (Pixies, Foo Fighters). Gomez guitarist Tom Gray wanted to keep the recording process very simple from the very beginning, and by doing so, How We Operate has a much more intimate feel than in the past.

Aside from being the first Gomez album to employ an outside producer, How We Operate is also the band’s first studio album on Dave Matthews’ ATO Records, who signed the band after they left Virgin.

Download the title track to How We Operate here.