40
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Evanescence - Call Me When You're Sober
Artist link: 6
A band name that's hard to pronounce, coupled with a type of music that's hard to categorise - is it Nu-Metal, Goth, Christian Rock (they certainly don't like that), is there anything easy about Evanescence? Last time we saw them grace this poll was with the breakthrough single "Bring Me To Life". Since then 2 band members have departed, leaving the vocalist Amy Lee with pretty much full control. The style is very distinctive, it's rock with almost orchestral arrangements with Lee's virtually operatic voice ensuring its got your full attention. But hey, it works damn well, so why bother changing? Wonder if they'd consider teaming up with Muse?
Jason M
No of votes: 8, Score:
42, Highest vote: 2nd
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39
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Pink - U + Ur Hand
Artist link: 16  18  22 49
We've come a long way since the early days of Girl Power™ when the Spice Girls tantalized the men of the world with tales of their zig-a-zig-ah. No such coyness for Pink, who'll tell you want she wants, what she really, really wants is a night out with her mates, and without men coming on to her. She's not here for your entertainment, you don't really want to mess with her tonight. Keep your drink, just give her the money, and if you're after a bit of how's-your-father, well, sorry mate, but you're left to your own devices. Baby Spice would never have been so vulgar. Ginger on the other hand...
Greg B
No of votes: 8, Score:
46, Highest vote: 2nd
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38
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Razorlight - In The Morning
Artist link:4  28
First single from their second album "Razorlight", Razorlight came back as nothing had ever changed. Which is no bad thing as the first album was pretty good. In The Morning's sharp, spiky guitars made it easy to re-acquiant ourselves and showed that the second album curse wouldn't affect Razorlight at all. Rumbling drums, spiky guitars and a video that was just like all the others. Thankfully there was no punch-up either. Err....
Paul M
No of votes: 8, Score:
48, Highest vote: 2nd
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37
|
Snow Patrol feat Martha Wainwright - Set The Fire To The Third Bar
2006 has been quite a year for Snow Patrol. They have broken America, and their new album is one of the year's biggest sellers. So to cap the year off, they've released this tender offering, pairing up with solo artist Martha Wainwright. Gary Lightbody has once again showed his mastery with his lyric writing, the metaphor for the imagined re-union of lovers separated by distance is brilliantly understated. I wonder if there's a screwed up piece of paper on his floor with the rejected ideas: "Turn up the central heating", "Stoke up the log fire", "Fiddle with the radiator knob (oooer missus)". The title's literal translation of turning a 3 bar electric fire to the maximum setting has been missed to some - must be less bedsits around these days. Still, it hasn't lessened the impact or popularity of the song.
Jason M
No of votes: 8, Score:
62, Highest vote: 1st
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36
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The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes
When I hear the intro, it automatically makes me think of "Is She Really Going Out With Him?". Whether purely by coincidence or not, this primary offering from rock "Supergroup" The Raconteurs lends itself to be closer to Jack White's previous band than Joe Jackson. The title of the song nicely sums up the tune itself, with a great hook and chorus, carrying the song along with the unstoppable momentum of a navy frigate in full sail (but without the listing and subsequent sea-sickness). The lyric "And your blood's depleted to the point of stable glue" is probably the oddest you'll come across all year - though I've always thought Jack looks a bit anaemic. Watch the video too, which features a soap box derby with guest appearance from Paul "Pee Wee Herman" Reubens as the bad guy.
Jason M
No of votes: 9, Score:
38, Highest vote: 2nd
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35
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Rogue Traders - Voodoo Child
Not the most obvious place for the highest placed dance song this year to hail from, Australia. In fact this song was a hit in Oz over a year before it finally made it across the water to the UK. The main backing for the song is Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up", and the vocals are supplied by new addition (and another ex-Aussie soap-star) Natalie Bassingthwaighte. The whole thing is highly infectious, and with the incessant looping of the sample and the drums, it's hard to resist. The video is also well worth a look too - no small wonder the album title is taken from this song - "Here Come The Drums".
Jason M
No of votes: 9, Score:
39, Highest vote: 2nd
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34
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Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California
Artist link:4 11  15 28
There's something about the Red Hot Chili (sic) Peppers that it feels like every new album is a comeback. Its been like that for like ten years. I mean c'mon, they must be about seventy by now, and here they are, releasing a new double album with about a zillion tracks on it and expecting the young whipper snappers of today to take it into their hearts - or at least their iPods - and love it like we loved "Under the Bridge" in the eighties, albeit secretly. And so they launch the album with the release of Dani California, a few minutes of lyrical nonsense (what are they on about?) and west coast guitars that could have come from any of the last four RHCP albums. I would use a review cliché like "a return to form", but from Californication (geddit?) and beyond, I'm not sure they've ever really lost it...
Isaac H
No of votes: 9, Score:
40, Highest vote: 1st
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33
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The Kooks - Naïve
Artist link:9
Whereas the likes of The Arctic Monkeys and the Fratellis were catering for those in need of raucous crowd pleasing anthems, those who prefer their indie to be a little less brash were doubtless pleased to see the Kooks break it big in 2006. Note that this wasn't therefore wrist-slashing bedwetter music, no. The Kooks were upbeat, and pretty much out their on their own doing their blend of well honed choons - I find it hard to offer up easy comparators. Naïve was their highest charting single of the million selling "Inside In / Inside Out", with it's staccato guitar riffs and predominantly funk-based roots and it's easy to see why, a simple but brilliantly executed song. And they are still in their very early 20s - could certainly mean even greater things in the future.
Jason M
No of votes: 9, Score:
47, Highest vote: 2nd
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32
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Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man
Artist link:14
It amazes me how much the tables have turned between Ms Spears and Ms Aguilera. I'm no fan of pop ballards, so I always judge pop femmes on their uptempo numbers, and this one is right up their with the best. Now that Britney has gone onto motherhood and forgetting to wear knickers Christina has become the undoubted queen. Bold, brassy samples to die for and a suitably ballsy vocal combine for one of the stand out tracks of the year.
Dan Mc
No of votes: 9, Score:
57, Highest vote: 1st
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31
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Keane - Is It Any Wonder?
Artist link:7 16 25
Some people thought they were all good clean living lads - turned out to not quite be the case. They made nice pop music that seemed to eschew the guitar effects pedal. And this song showed that's not quite the case either. Compared to their previous chart-botherings, this had far more upfront guts, but then I'm a bit shallow. Is it any wonder that the singer feels betrayed? His dealer probably stood him up.
P Shoo
No of votes: 9, Score:
67, Highest vote: 2nd
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Thanks go to the following people for assisting with getting together our comprehensive aide-memoire: Danny G, Paul M, Kat B
A MASSIVE THANKS also to all those who slaved over a hot keyboard to produce the write ups: Danny G, Paul M, Kat B, Isaac H, P Shoo, Dan Mc, Karen G, Emyr I, Greg B, Lisa S, Elliot H, Wendy B, Elliott