With the holidays over, I was considering a top ten list for 2006. Then I looked at a bunch other blogs that did a much better job of it, so I figured most of the heavy lifting here was done.
Okay, one of the best albums this year came from a band called “Vanilla.” Yep. That’s the name. Fortunately, the music is not so vanilla, but a great mix of jangley AM radio rock flavors. If you liked the Beatles, Squeeze, Tom Petty and Cheap Trick, you’ll love this flavorful scoop. Alright, enough with the ice cream metaphors. “Bangalore” is a be true-to-your-school styled guitar tune, about outsourcing. “Black Sunday” is overflowing with XTC-isms and truly inspiring. “Liar’s Club” has a early Alan Parson’s Project meets Bread vibe. “Valentine” is another great tune that bounces along a Beatlesque beat. It’s a great CD done by a group of like-minded power poppers, Jayson Jarmon from Liar’s Club, Scott McPherson of Tiny Volcano and Haste and Dana Sims of Jet City Fix. Just get it already! For sale at NotLame.com and Itunes.