The bar has been set high! I’m astounded by the number of great albums that have already surfaced this year. Will Hoge shunned traditional record promotions by leaning heavily on juggernauts MySpace and Purevolume all the way to offering up a free download from the album once every week. Josh Rouse travelled to Spain offering up a new flavor without alienating his old fans. Robert Pollard said a final farewell to one of the greatest bands of all time but proved that he truly is guided by voices with another solo release. Jackie Greene, Rhett Miller, Willie Nile and Shawn Mullins all put out what could be the best releases of their careers. And Patty Hurst Shifter proved that the Drive-by Truckers will not be the only band to rock in 2006.

Here’s a playlist of some of my favorite singles thus far this year. They are simply in order of what I think makes for a great mix. It starts out with some alternative songs, then travels over to some straight up rock and roll and winds down on some folksier tunes. I’m still looking for some good new blues so don’t be afraid to make a recommendation. In the meantime, stay tuned for a follow up post regarding my favorite albums of winter.

Playlist also available on iTunes. (only available songs will appear)

• Another Sunny Day
  by Belle and Sebastion (on The Life Pursuit)
• Nth Degree
  by Morningwood (on Morningwood)
• It Looks Like Love
  by Josh Rouse (on Subtitulo)
• Dancing Girls and Dancing Men
  by Robert Pollard (on From a Compound Eye)
• You Only Live Once
  by The Strokes (on First Impressions of Earth)
• Paint the Moon
  by The Czars (on Goodbye)
• The Needle Has Landed
  by Neko Case (on Fox Confessor Brings the Flood)
• Altered State
  by Teddy Thompson (on Separate Ways)
• Help Me, Suzanne
  by Rhett Miller (on The Believer)
• So Hard To Find My Way
  by Jackie Greene (on American Myth)
• Bruises
  by Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3 (on Tick…Tick…Tick)
• Best Friends Money Can Buy
  by Willie Nile (on Streets of New York)
• Only Everything
  by Scott Miller & The Commonwealth (on Citation)
• The More That I Know (The Less I Like You)
  by Will Hoge (on The Man Who Killed Love)
• Never Know
  by Patty Hurst Shifter (on Too Crowded on the Losing End)
• Beautiful Wreck
  by Shawn Mullins (on 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor)
• Dreams Are Not My Home
  by Rosanne Cash (on Black Cadillac)
• Melt Your Heart
  by Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins (on Rabbit Fur Coat)
• Roll On
  by The Little Willies (on The Little Willies)
• Down the Mountain
  by Robinella (on Solace for the Lonely)
• Heal Over
  by KT Tunstall (on Eye to the Telescope)

About the author:  Washington, D.C. area web designer by day. Certifiable music freak by night. Husband and father of two by the loving grace of God.

by Tom Osborne in Alt-Country, Alternative, Americana, Folk, Indie, Playlists, Pop, Rock