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”

One of my most favorite bands is the Brooklyn, NY based Hem. They are not your average NYC band, as their sound is more reminiscent of an Irish folk group than a fresh-on-the-scene indie rock band. Regardless, they are not only hauntingly beautiful on CD, but their live show is just as amazing as well.

Hem is sharing their beautiful take on the Christmas classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on their official site. Download the track here.

Also, the song that I first discovered Hem with back in 2001 was “Half Acre,” which you can download here.

Visit Hem’s office site here and their MySpace page here. They’re very good at updating both

with new music, so if these links aren’t enough to convince you that their records are worth buying, I don’t know else will.