MY PICKS
Marli Guzzetta
People listen to music on this island, and they play a lot of music, and I respect Nantucket immensely

for this. In my life

before this job, I did quite a bit of music reviewing, and though I try not to foist my indie music tastes on anyone here, I am not going to deny myself what is possibly my single favorite journalistic pleasure — the yearend ‘Best Of’ list. I make it with much gravity.

Before I move on to the list, I will state upfront that I have included a seldom few artists on major labels. While I know some of you see girls with too much eye shadow and boys in too-tight jeans when you see the word “indie,” I want to plead its case. Indie, as you know, is short for “independent,” meaning a record label outside of the big five — one that’s operated by an individual or regional company. They’ve existed for decades, but they’ve become more prevalent in the last 16 or so years due to the proliferation of CD-producing technology and media access. Blame Nirvana — they made Seattle’s independent music scene part of the ’90s zeitgeist and also proved that a little record company could do big things. Today, the difference between indie labels and major labels is the difference between Houston’s and American Seasons or Oran Mor or The Pearl or [insert your favorite Nantucket restaurant here]. You can get a good meal at Houston’s — you just get a little bit more love and creativity here. Indie music doesn’t have a monopoly on good musicians; it’s just more comfortable with singersongwriters and experimentation.

I am also aware that there is a whole league of old hippie Baby Boomers on this island, with musical tastes that are completely respectable but also somewhat locked in. I would suggest that you guys check out the 2006 releases from oldies but goodies The Who, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and duo Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. But also take a minute to look up this year’s releases from Neko Case, Tom Waits, The Decembrists, Joanna Newsom and Ray LaMontagne. The fact that I didn’t put them on my particular Best Of list is just a matter of preference, because their records were all sharpshooters, and I think you might like them.

Some may think I’m taking myself too seriously proclaiming this list 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts in the middle of winter — but I don’t care. I love doing this. I love this list the way a SportsCenter producer loves arcane running back statistics. I believe in this list. And so I’m sharing it with you.

My favorite CDs of the year, in no particular order:

Asobi Seksu “Citrus” Beautiful, melodic, pop rock with dirty, sweeping chords — guitar that plays like the mane of a wild horse. Kind of elegant and grungy all at the same time.

Girl Talk “Night Ripper” There’s something for everyone in this CD, because everything (kitchen sink-wise) is in this continuous track LP of nothing but mash-ups. (Mash-ups are a product of the last five years and digital sampling; lyrical tracks from one song mixed over the musical track from a completely different song.) Dangermouse, who collaborated with Gnarls Barkley on “St. Elsewhere,” really set the gold standard in mash-ups last year when he took The Beatles’ “White Album” and mashed it up with Jay-Z’s “Black Album” to create “The Grey Album.” The guy behind Girl Talk is a big digital music nerd, in the best sense, with a keen ear for what can go together — even if that’s the musical track of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” with lyrics from Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy.” I can think of no better CD for dance parties and workouts.

Band of Horses “Everything all the Time” This is what would happen if Lynard Skynard met the Harlem Boys Choir. Harmonic, powerful, organic rock, like a flower made out of broken glass. I’m surprising myself to say this, but if you like power ballad bands, this might be a nice modern equivalent.

Regina Spektor “Begin to Hope” The softer side of Tori Amos.

KT Tunstall “Eye to the Telescope” Between the woohoo song and “Suddenly, I See,” KT Tunstall was on the fast track to fame this year, and it was fame well deserved. I really hope her royalties were decent. Gnarls Barkley “St. Elsewhere” Ithink even my oldest living relative could identify Gnarls Barkley on the radio, for as much airtime as “St. Elsewhere” got this year. It’s very fair to argue that “Crazy” was the definitive pop song of 2006 — a semiremarkable feat, for being a song about mental illness. Credit goes to hip-hop artist Cee-lo, who joined forces with producer Dangermouse to form a new outfit that would allow him to break out of the hip-hop niche and just write whatever damn music he pleased. Even more credit goes out to them for being able to cover The Violent Femmes without sounding like fools.

Matisyahu “Youth” If music were judged like college football, the BCS would put Matisyahu in the top 10 for style points alone. A Hasidic Jew who became a reggae superstar, he’s got the goods. Look, I was skeptical at first, but I saw live footage and what you have with this Burning Bushesque style is all the earnestness and passion in reggae with none of the put-on swagger and posturing. This album is a thing of consequence.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Show Your Bones”

While independent music critics are busy knitting doilies over the Arctic Monkeys, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is quietly becoming Mick Jagger. “Something like a Phenomenon” is a substantial rock milestone.

Midlake “The Trials of Van Occupanther” This CD sounds like the Nantucket landscape looks on a grey day, if that’s at all possible. Moody, serene, contemplative, harmonious. It’s a half-awake kind of rock album that feels like that moment you discovered your tear ducts for the first time — a subdued “wow.”

Tom Waits “Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards”

You know that thing that happens when older guys who are singing about how they don’t have the answers for any of life’s miserable problems seem to have all the answers to life’s miserable problems to anyone listening? When they begin to contort their faces into such ugly expressions as they sing that it’s kind of beautiful? That’s what Tom Waits did on this album — what he always does. The album deserves a spot on Best Of lists just for the volume of music he imparts here. When he was on the “Jon Stewart Show,” Jon Stewart even turned into one of those pieces of gum with a juicy center; he positively gushed. Because the album is just so stalwart and self-assured and good.

The Roots “Game Theory” The best hip-hip album of the year, “Game Theory” accesses a history of R&B and jazz tropes alongside a unique rhythm landscape.

Goldfrapp “Supernature” You’ve heard songs from this album in commercials all year (especially Target), and maybe just didn’t realize it. Their sound is kind of like the next incarnation of Blondie. A technologically enhanced Blondie. Blondie v 2.0.

TV on the Radio “Return to Cookie Mountain”

TV on the Radio is the sci-fiof

indie rock — fascinating, dark, beautiful and electric. It’s hard to explain, so I’m going to fall back on a formula: Jimmy Hendrix + Depeche Mode.

Now It’s Overhead “Dark Light Daybreak” Athens, Ga. resident and buddy of Michael Stipe, Andy LeMaster (a.k.a “Now It’s Overhead”) is consistently one of the most underrated men in independent music. His percussion is flawless; his guitar riffs are kind of a forward dash on the page — everything he writes just moves you forward. You want the next verse, the next chorus. I wouldn’t be surprised if the kid were a certifiable genius.

Ratatat “Classics” Fun, uncomplicated electronica with big, fat guitar riffs and actual composition, instead of repetitive beats.

Tilly and the Wall “Bottoms of Barrels” Pop rock with a pair of cute girls who sing and occasionally add percussion by tap dancing. And it’s not just a gimmick — the lyrics are compelling and the music aggressively catchy. The result actually sounds a lot more intimidating than it seems in writing. If you don’t believe me, go look them up on the purveyor of all things respectable, NPR, which did a

segment on the band this year. I

For a free podcast of songs from some of these albums, go to www.yackon.com.