9. LAB SEVEN, North Winds — The party album of the year, with a few nice turns of phrase to boot.
10. LOVERLESS, Fighter — They’re not fighters, but they’ll fight for you. And for a spot in the top 10.
11. THE TOUGHCATS, Pinata — Making all of Maine pine for island life.
12. SEEKONK, Pinkwood — An uncompromising sound sculpture, lush and austere.
13. HEADSTART!, Our House — A major step forward for Portland’s premier pop punkers. And proof that the CD isn’t dead as an artform.
14. OGRE, Seven Hells — Big, big rock, and big, big in Japan.
15. CAMBIATA, Into the Night — Brilliant, and sort of annoying. Brilliantly annoying.
16. PETE KILPATRICK, Louder than the Storm — Maybe Portland’s only legitimate pop star.
17. EMILIA DAHLIN, God Machine — Charisma that sparkles, even in a jewel case. Good songwriting helps.
18. TREE BY LEAF, There is a Vine — Not quite the triumph of 2005, but an impressive follow-up, nonetheless.
19. KINGPIN WRECKING CREW, Abolition Strategy — Portland’s Elder statesmen. Hah! Only I get that pun.
20. RULER OF THE RAGING MAIN, Ruler of the Raging Main — Wonderfully grimy rock, as though imported from across the pond.
21. NIGEL HALL, The Face of Things to Come — Actually, this is the voice of things to come. Dude’s vocal chords are solid gold.
22. FENCE KITCHEN, Beading the Rook — Keeping our town’s art-rock (or whatever) tradition alive.
23. BOREAL TORDU, La Bonne Vie — If you can listen to this without a smile on your face, you’re a dick.
24. THE LEFTOVERS, Party Tonight — Fun punk just about anybody can love. With great hair.
25. CULT MAZE, Ice Arena — So close to fantastic. Up the production value and add some more confident vocals and this is top 10.
26. SUBJECT BIAS, And This Is Why You Can’t Have Nice Things — From the title to the final track, everything is impeccably executed.
27. DEAD SEASON, Rise — Signaling an invasion, from Western Maine.
28. MEGAN JO WILSON, Seed, Stars, Galaxies — If only for the Tears for Fears cover. And “Take Me Away.”
29. SAMUEL JAMES, Return of Sugar Smallhouse — He needs a band, but all the other elements are here.
30. HOUR PAST, ...A Vacant Smile — With a promotional machine, this band might be the biggest metal band in Maine.
Also receiving consideration
A New Vision, Immortality; Backroads for Tomorrow, Before the Bridge Breaks; Bullyclub, Babbleluck; Mike Golay, Across the Bridge; Hi Fivin’ White Guys, Ate Songs; Lost Cause Desperados, Broken Bottles; Meantone, Original Graveyard Blues; Moss Mountain Project, Catfish Grouper Snapper; Now is Now, Never Go Back; Okbari, Okbari; The Outsiders, Punk-a-Billy Rebels; The ToneKings, The ToneKings; The Whatnot, One More for Pocket; Steven Williams, Yeah OK.
Email the author
Sam Pfeifle:sam_pfeifle@yahoo.com
