After a painfully tense and suspenseful 48 hours, we are back with part 2 of our 4 part feature, First Half Album Picks of 2006.  What this means for you, handsome internet readers, is that two more of our staff members’ choices for most bombastic and rump-shaking-tacular albums of the year (so far) will be revealed.  Who made the cut?  Which albums are worthy of your time?  Where are they keeping baby Suri?-  All these questions and more will be answered after the jump!  Venture forth, brave music nerds!

Actually before you march on, you might want to check out part 1 again- just to refresh your memory.

Brian Berry
Contributor

Quasi
When the Going Gets Dark
Touch & Go Records

Quasi’s When the Going Gets Dark sits atop my list of 2006 albums, but only by a hair. This is the duo’s most accomplished work, a psychedelic pop album that gives many winks and nods to the great George Harrison while creating a work that sets them apart from all other bands of today. It’s political without being preachy and rocking without abrasiveness. Sam Coomes strained vocals are simultaneously intense and melodic, while ex-wife Janet Weiss finds inventive directions when drumming against Coomes’ unorthodox guitar and piano melodies. If you dig the golden years of ’70s FM radio you need to check out this gem.

http://www.theequasi.com

Also highly recommended from 2006: Black Heart Procession The Spell, The Talking Heads reissues, Two Gallants What the Toll Tells, Lansing-Dreiden The Dividing Island, The Walkmen A Hundred Miles Off, Destroyer Destroyer’s Rubies, Six Organs of Admittance The Sun Awakens, Danielson Ships, and Sunset Rubdown Shut Up I am Dreaming.

Cariwyl Hebert
Staff Reviewer

Electric Six
Señor Smoke
Metropolis Records

When asked to say a few words about my top pick for the first half of 2006, I immediately thought of Electric Six. With boisterous, honest, in-your-face lyrics and well-composed, catchy songs, what’s not to like?

I appreciate their originality. I appreciate that the opinion of others apparently does not matter to them. I love that Electric Six have a very honest, lay-it-on-the-line band history on their website. I love the “List of Disregarded Band Names” with monikers such as Fuxedo, Goober and the Carrots, and Shanter Shumpt even more. And I am truly thankful that their music is easy and painless to listen to. Every song on Señor Smoke has its own lyrical flair and you won’t believe they are actually singing about the chosen topics. With subjects ranging from rock and roll to vibrators to dance-a-thons, my personal favorite is still “Bite Me.” You get the picture. Have a listen.

http://www.electricsix.com

Don’t forget to check out First Half Album Picks part 1.