Top Fives of 2006 - Daryn

Albums

1. Morrissey - Ringleader of the Tormentors - the sumptuous follow up to the unfinished sounding You are the Quarry. Not a bad song on it and all sounded great as part of the live set.
   
2. Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental - First Trevor Horn production in my top five. This the ninth Pet Shop Boys albums was political, humourous, full of great orchestral hooks. A joy to listen to repeatedly.
   
3. Espers - Espers II - were the Velvets ever to meet up with Fairport Convention, this is what they might have sounded like. In a year of great folk albums from the likes of Adem, Joanna Newsom, Vetiver, this really stood out.
   
4. Captain - This is Hazelville - produced by Trevor Horn, boy/girl vocals, reminiscent of the might Prefab Sprout, great session on Jonathan Ross show. Brilliant album!!
   
5. C.S.S - Cansei de ser Sexy - Disco beats, anti anthems, fun from Brazil

Nearly made it: The Early Years, Brightback Morning Light, Serena Maneesh - for keeping the shoe gazing flame alive (nu-gazing, apparently)
Bob Dylan, Scritti Polittil, Neil Young, Midlake, Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo and Sonic Youth.

Re-issues

1. John Philips - The Wolfking of LA - recorded in 1970, sublime country-tinged songs, from one of the key members of the Mamas and Papas
   
2. Pavement - Wowee Zowee - yet another expanded, reissue from the amazing Pavement. I loved this album when it was released in the mid 90s, now I can love even more of it. Extra Peel sessions, b sides, live tracks - more more more!
   
3. Spiritualized - Friendly Fire - demos from the recording of the first Spiritualized album, released by the then bass player Will Carruthers. The incredible Peel session from 1992 thrown in for good measure. More on the way apparently.
   
4. Invictus - Soul Box Set - Holland-Dozier-Holland after they left Motown. 68 tracks of bass heavy soul funk. Unconquered indeed.
   
5. The Triffids - Born Sandy Devotional. 20 years on from the original release, thanks to Franz Ferdinand and the Arctic Monkeys this gets a re-release on the Domino label. An expansive masterpiece from the criminally unheard of Australians.

Nearly made it: Pulp - Different Class, Byrne/Eno - My life...., Denim - Back in Denim

Films

Hard to choose top five films from this year as barely been to cinema - but have been more selective as a result

1. The Prestige - Christopher Nolan directs another dazzling film bursting with slick period details and focusing on the lives of illusionists.
   
2. The Queen - an engaging portrayal of the weeks between Tony Blair's election as Prime Minister and his first meeting with the Queen once parliament has reconvened. Main focus is of course on the events surrounding Diana's funeral, this is a witty and moving attempt to capture what it might have been like to have been involved.
   
3. Road to Guantanamo - Michael Winterbottom directs this story of how three youths from Tipton ended up imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. The tone of this film ranges from angry to humourous and is a grand improvement on his last film "A cock and bull story"
   
4. Miami Vice - Michael Mann, fast cars/boats, mumbled dialogue, Phil Collins soundtrack (sort of) You shouldn't really like this, but .....
   
5. The Constant Gardener - vivid colours, engaging narrative, brilliant performance from Fiennes. A great thriller.

Books

1. Under the Dam - David Constantine - great collection of short stories from the poet.
   
2. Mothers and Sons - Colm Toibin - another collection of great short stories - Famous Blue Raincoat really stood out for me in this collection.
   
3. That Damn United - David Peace - I love David Peace and this is a great follow up to GB84. Attempting to tell the story of Brian Clough's 44 day reign at the helm of Leed United.
   
4. White Bicycles - Joe Boyd - making music in the 1960s featuring a cast of thousands, Eric Clapton, Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, INcredible String Band and so on. Great anecdotes.
   
5. 1599 - James Shapiro. The year of Henry V, Julius Ceasar and As you like it. This book tells the story of Shakespeare throughout this year and the world which he inhabited. Politics, theatre, friendships, love.