Best Songs 2006 (so far)

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On this edition of All Songs Considered we hit the pause button and look back at the best music of the year, so far. From long-time veterans like Paul Simon, to newcomers Tender Forever and Art Brut, 2006 has already seen strong contenders for the year's most memorable CDs and songs.

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Tender Forever is mostly a one-woman project started by singer Melanie Valera. Originally from France, Valera moved to Portland, Oregon in 2005 where she started Tender Forever and recorded this gorgeous debut with help from Calivn Johnson and Khaela Maricich.

Tender Forever

CD: The Soft and the Hardcore
Song: "Then If I'm Weird I Want to Share"
Label: K Records

Listen to "Then If I'm Weird I Want to Share"

Otherwise known as Chan Marshall, Cat Power has long been one of the most popular and creative artists making so-called "sad core" or emotional pop and rock. She first made a name for herself in 2000 with a collection of unusual interpretations of songs by the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and more. On her latest CD, Marshall steeps her songs in classic soul and rhythm & blues.

Cat Power

CD: The Greatest
Song: "The Greatest"
Label: Matador

Listen to "The Greatest"

Jenny Lewis, for this CD, joins part of the burgeoning music scene in Omaha, along with other artists like Bright Eyes with singer Conner Oberst. Lewis got her start as the singer for the band Riloy Kiley. For her new solo CD, she teams up with M. Ward, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and gospel singers The Watson Twins.

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins

CD: Rabbit Fur Coat
Song: "The Charging Sky"
Label: Team Love

Listen to "The Charging Sky"

As a singer for New Pornographers, Neko Case is known for artful pop. But as a solo artist, Case leans more toward classic country. Her new CD features the country rock band The Sadies (featured on All Songs Considered episode 69), members of Calexico and Garth Hudson, a legendary keyboardist for The Band.

Neko Case

CD: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Song: "Margaret Vs. Pauline"
Label: Anti

Listen to "Margaret Vs. Pauline"

Super XX Man (pronounced "Super Double X") is otherwise known as Scott Garred. Garred has been making sweet, simple songs under the Super XX Man moniker for ten years. His latest CD features newly-recorded versions of songs he's written during the past decade and includes vocals from Alison Wesley and accordion from Garred's wife, Michelle.

Super XX Man

CD: X
Song: "Collecting Rocks"
Label: Hush

Listen to "Collecting Rocks"


For more on this CD, visit the artist's Web site.

Gnarls Barkley is a collaboration between hip hop DJ Danger Mouse and R-and-B singer Cee-Lo Green. Their first single, "Crazy" became a huge hit after the duo made it available as a download on the Internet. Though their name bears a striking resemblance to former professional basketball player Charles Barkley, the band is denying any connection.

Gnarls Barkley

CD: St. Elsewhere
Song: "Crazy"
Label: Atlantic

Listen to "Crazy"

For his latest solo album, Paul Simon turned to producer and sound artist Brian Eno. It makes for a fresh and unpredictable collection of songs from one of America's greatest poets.

Paul Simon

CD: Surprise
Song: "How Can You Live in the Northeast"
Label: Warner

Listen to "How Can You Live in the Northeast"

The Walkmen are a New York rock group with two critically acclaimed albums to their credit: 2002's Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone and 2004's Bows + Arrows. The band is about to release it's third album, A Hundred Miles Off. It's a richly textured, sometimes gritty, sonic adventure in rock.

The Walkmen

CD: A Hundred Miles Off
Song: "Emma Get Me A Lemon"
Label: Record Collection Music

Listen to "Emma Get Me A Lemon"

Taking their name from French painter Jean Debuffet's definition of art by marginalized people, like prisoners or the mentally ill, Art Brut is a rock band from London. The band members claim to have started writing songs within minutes of meeting one another.

Art Brut

CD: Bang Bang Rock and Roll
Song: "My Little Brother"
Label: Downtown

Listen to "My Little Brother"

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke insists his first album without the support of his band is not a solo project, saying "that just doesn't seem right." It's a beautifully somber collection of electronic beeps and sweeps woven with Yorke's mysterious poetry and lovely falsetto voice.

Thom Yorke

CD: The Eraser
Song: "And it Rained All Night"
Label: V2

Listen to "And It Rained All Night"

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