by Tom Osborne in Best of Year

This is the third of three playlists featuring some of my favorite songs of the year. Witness a double dose of Sonic Youth (oh yeah!). Its unusual for me to put the same artist twice on one mix but how could I resist when both Thurston and Kim rock the mike. Can I say that here or is “rock the mike” exclusive to hip-hop?

I’m calling this one Stirred. It features songs that have an Alternative bent. They are ordered to flow (not by rank) and limited to 20 in order to fit on a single CD. For song samples, an iMix is available on iTunes.

• “The Gate” by Sam Roberts
• “Thrill of It” by Robert Randolph & The Family Band
• “Hey Kids” by Jet
• “Comatose” by Pearl Jam
• “Chips Ahoy” by The Hold Steady
• “Lately” by Soul Asylum
• “No Backbone” by The Lemonheads
• “Sweet Lady” by What Made Milwaukee Famous
• “Incinerate” by Sonic Youth
• “Reena” by Sonic Youth
• “Maybe I’m Right” by Pete Yorn
• “Penny On the Train Track” by Ben Kweller
• “Help Me, Suzanne” by Rhett Miller
• “Satellite” by Guster
• “Lillian, Egypt” by Josh Ritter
• “You Don’t Have to Like Me to Love Me (Tonight)” by The Damnwells
• “The Needle Has Landed” by Neko Case
• “Chinese Translation” by M. Ward
• “I Wouldn’t Do That to You” by Carey Ott
• “Nothing Left to Lose” by Mat Kearney

What were some of your favorite Alternative songs or albums in 2006 that didn’t make this list?

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.