Fuzzy Lion

Jenny Lewis will release her second solo album this September, titled Acid Tongue. The record will feature guest appearances buy such artists as Elvis Costello, M Ward, Paz Lenchantin, Chris Robinson and Zooey Deschanel (editor’s note: “yummmmm), just to name a few.

Jenny will also be touring in support of the record and hitting NYC on October 4th at The Appolo Theater. No announcement has been made yet as to when tickets go on sale. The full tour dates thus far are as follows:

9/16 - Fox Theatre- Boulder, CO
9/17 - Ogden Theatre- Denver, CO
9/19 - Epiphany Church, Chicago IL
9/20 - Anchor Inn- Omaha, NE*
9/21 - Ryman Auditorium- Nashville, TN*
9/22 - Bijou Theatre - Knoxville, TN*
9/23 - George’s Majestic Fayetteville, AK*
9/24 - The Lyric Theatre - Oxford, MS*
9/25 - Cain’s Ballroom - Tulsa, OK*
9/26 - Austin City Limits - Austin, TX
10/2 - Sixth & I Historic Synagogue- Washington, DC
10/4 - Apollo Theatre- New York, NY

Photo by: Megan Woolfolk

The minute I heard that Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward were teaming up for an album I was delighted. Normally, the thought of actor-turned-singer throws up a warning flag, but not with Zooey. She’s always had this indie-darling aura around her and she’s always been one of my favorite characters on Weeds (one of the best comedies on TV). Besides, if M. Ward likes her enough to make a record with her, how bad could she be?

After what seemed like an eternity, the album, titled Volume 1, is finally out and I am in love. Zooey handles most of the heavy lifting vocally with M. Ward lending his voice a tiny bit during the record’s second half. Zooey’s voice has a very doo-wop throwback sound twinged with a bit of country flare.

There is no doubt in my mind that She & Him is going to find a way high up on my end-of-the-year “best of” list.

She & Him – “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?”

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”