Three Imaginary Girls - Best of...

Bookmark THIS! Thee best "lit up" events that will "ZAPP" ya this month

Chris Estey — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:40:26 +0000

Just a few more days of the Seattle International Film Festival and a ton of sizzling hot music shows to see now that June is here, but you should start "booking" (ha) some time for some very TIG-worthy readings and parties about books coming up. As a nervous and gluttonous reader of quality stuff, I heartily endorse all of the programs listed below, and hope that you can attend them:

Evergreen graduate Megan Kelso is one of the dazzling shards from the Pac NW underground comics explosion of the early 90s, best described as the first queen of twee comics, and has a new graphic novel out from Fantagraphics called Artichoke Tales. Since doing her self-published Girlhero back in the early 90s, she has done several books (Queen of the Black Black and The Squirrel Mother among them), and had her "Watergate Sue" weekly run in the New York Times Magazine. Artichoke Tales is about two families struggling in times of war and it will probably beat the holy tarnation out of your poor little heart. Her artwork is simple-dimple but elegantly evocative, every line precise with meaning, which sees all-of-us-every-last-one-of-us pain from oppression and abuse, transforming it into magical illustrated storytelling. The Fantagraphics Store will be hosting an exhibit and book launch for Artichoke Tales on Saturday, June 12, from 6 to 9 PM. It's also the Second Saturday Art Attack in Georgetown and you won't want to miss that!

Hey, did you notice that howlingly great Stranger cover drawn by David Lasky a couple of weeks back, which satirically boiled all the plots of the SIFF movies down to one several panel strip? Well, Mr. Lasky has helped put together a humungous benefit for ZAPP, the esteemed and great time-killing zine library at the Hugo House, and Megan Kelso will also be there, along with Jim Woodring, whose Weathercraft we hyped a few days back. Thus, something called Grandma ZAPP's Rolling Thunderheart Mountain Variety Show is coming up Tuesday, June 15 at the Hugo House, starting at 7 PM. $10 to benefit the zine library, one of the very best in the country, and other performers include insanely talented mini-comics duo Max Clotfelter and Kelly Froh ("Stewbrew"), Lucy Morehouse of "Ong Ong" zine, and musical performances by Helen Parson. (1634 11th Avenue on Capitol Hill.)

But what about the King? Elvis Presley, that is, and Seattle is home to one of the best authors who have ever written about him, Gillian G. Gaar, in the period true fans care about him the most (his black leathery sex god '67 comeback special!!), in a handsome B&W history just out, with oodles of loving musical details, photos, and story, story, story. Return of the King: Elvis Presley's Great Comeback (Jawbone) starts in the valley of Elvis bashing out flick after flick of crap (with the occasional Blue Hawaii giving us a "Can't Help Falling In Love") or a track like "Return to Sender" from Girls! Girls! Girls! But mostly, people thought Elvis was washed up in the mid-60s as he actually was by the late 70s. But as Gaar so masterfully tells the tale, an archetypal Southern saga of raw, raunchy, rock redemption and ascension from the ashes, Presley got his shit together for some recordings in front of some wetting-themselves like a Faulkner-scribed Mississippi gusher fans, of live versions of timeless soul-punk like "In The Ghetto," "Suspicious Minds" and other city boy kisses country boy rockabilly razzle dazzle. It's a story you shouldn't miss, like the Beatles snarfing speed in Germany and bashing out a new form of beat music, or the Sex Pistols in Jon Savage's England's Dreaming. And if you do desire to own at least one book about the King in your collection, make it by one of Seattle's best rock writers, long-time scribe Gillian G. Gaar, who will be reading from the Return of the King on Sunday, June 20, at 4 PM, at the new location for Elliott Bay Bookstore on Capitol Hill. Q&A and signing to follow! (Yay, Gillian, this one is as great as the Rough Guide to Nirvana, which I keep by my bedside! If you care about real rock write, you'll be there with me.)

Finally, a bit of a rerun to a preview I did several weeks ago, but since a finished copy of WE NEVER LEARN came in by New Bomb Turks' front shouter and journalist-on-the-lamb Eric Davidson, "The Gunk Punk Undergut, 1988-2001," soaked in spilled pints and girl-spit and roadie sweat and blood from scraped knees against burning hot amplifiers getting the hell on and off the stage, covering the "your floor my ceiling" underground of The Dwarves and The Dirtbombs, the White Stripes and Oblivians, Jay Reatard and Brit brat Billy Childish and hundreds of other punch-your-guts-out garage punk bands from at least three continents, 351 pages of giving the finger to MTV and pure beard-pulling you-are-there writerly adrenaline, with a forward by queen bitch of noise Byron Coley, you best be aware that Mr. Davidson is coming to Seattle on Tuesday, June 29 at Easy Street Records on 20 Mercer Street for a book signing/reading at 3 PM in the afternoon, and then later that night at 9 PM at swanky vinyl bar Snooze Part Deux at 10406 Holman Road for a DVD showing (!!) as well. Don't miss it. Yes, this paragraph descended into all bold FOR A REASON. BECAUSE OF ERIC DAVIDSON'S GREAT BIG GORGEOUS GRAB ASS BOOK (JUST OUT AT EASY STREET) IT IS IN ALL CAPS AS WELL.

Stranger creator James Sturm and HATE's Peter Bagge at Fantagraphics/Georgetown Records this Saturday, April 17

Chris Estey — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:15:58 +0000

It's no secret among literary types that graphic novelist James Sturm has written and drawn some of the best books in that field. From Hundreds of Feet Below Daylight to The Golem's Mighty Swing, Sturm's approach to American history is refined, restrained, but revelatory, chronicling for example, the dangers of capitalism steered by evangelism (and vice versa), and the glories of a fictional all-Jewish baseball league in the early part of the 20th century. Sturm's artful but deceptively simple and sketchy illustrations characterize the journalistic restraint and elegance of his work.

But did you know that he helped co-found The Stranger, Seattle's long-running confident and controversial alt-weekly, back in 1991? He and publisher Tim Keck were at giant of printed satire the Onion and moved out to Seattle together to found it, and for many years Sturm's profound design and illustration skills defined The Stranger's cunning approach to graphic style. It's Sturms's stark, timeless art that captivated so many Pacific NW readers from the tabloid's inception, and now the author returns to Seattle at the Fantagraphics Store in Georgetown on Saturday, April 17, to unveil his new book, Market Day.

A meditation on the changes in daily life during the Industrial Revolution, Sturm's latest work promises to be as detail-rich, historically descriptive, and really enjoyable as his other topical, truly inspired graphic novels. (Sometimes "graphic novel" seems a lofty tag for a book of comics, but in Sturm's case his writing and illustration hold up to anything published in literature in the past century.)

Also premiering a new full-length work will be occasional Stranger sarcastic-bastard and pop-punk musician Peter Bagge, who just delivered a big bundle of caustic and incredibly clever new collected strips and original material in his Fantagraphics-published HATE Annual right after the Emerald City Comic Con. He is putting out his first all-new full-length comic about people caught up in other people's worlds through virtual lives called, um, Other Lives. It is on mainstream DC-side imprint Vertigo (Sandman, dozens of great more-adult comic titles since the late 80s) and looks a bit more serious than his usual tall tales of salty iconoclast Buddy Bradley. (Which reminds me: don't miss the hilarious new HATE for long-time loser character Lisa's attempt to start a mid-life stripper-club band, who rip off Tori Amos and later their clothes). But like his cartoons in Reason and other magazines there will be as much mind-expansion as gonzo, over the top underground comix slapstick. Bagge's the best when you want a fun, yet darkly informative read. Get Market Day, Other Lives, and HATE at the signing and big party!

The final reminder from Fantagraphics itself:

The Peter Bagge and James Sturm event on April 17 coincides with National Record Store Day at neighboring Georgetown Records.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) in the heart of the historic Georgetown arts community. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

Best of 2008: Top Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll Winners

three imaginary girls — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:08:31 +0000

Upset. The word of the our 2008 Best Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll is upset.

With the Fleet Foxes winning readers and critical polls alike, who would've thought they wouldn't get top honors in our humble little Northwest poll? But they didn't -- they placed a distant second to New Faces, another debut record from some very talented, very young Northwest fellas.

We had other surprises as well, with unsigned newcomers such as Hey Marseilles, the Kindness Kind, and Kaylee Cole cracking the top ten, beating out Northwest heavyweights such as Death Cab for Cutie. We did not expect that. And we love it when you surprise us, dear readers.

We imaginaries like to champion the up-and-comers from the Northwest, and our results indicate that you do as well. We think you all also have fabulous taste, as always. Thanks to everyone who participated in our poll. We couldn't be more proud or thrilled to present the top 50 winners on your behalf...

Winners of the TIG Top Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll:

50. Michael Vermillion - Last Night on Earth {info}
49. Jared Mees and the Grown Children - Caffeine, Alchohol, Sunshine, Money {album review}
48. Destruction Island - Destruction Island Preaches the New Wilderness
47. Boy Eats Drums Machine - Booomboxxx
46. The Apple War - Alarm Bell City {live show review}
45. The Hungry Pines - Golden You {info}
44. Hypatia Lake - Angels & Demons Space & Time {info}
43. All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Into It {live show review}
42. The Dandy Warhols - ...Earth to the Dandy Warhols... {info}
41. By Sunlight - By Sunlight
40. Blue Scholars - Butter and Guns {info}
39. Parenthetical Girls - Entanglements {album review}
38. Your Heart Breaks - Love is a Long Dark Road
37. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Sunday at Devil Dirt {info}
36. H is for Hellgate - Come for the peaks stay for the valleys {info}
35. Andrea Wittgens - In The Skyline {info}
34. Common Market - Black Patch War {album review}
33. Colin Meloy - Colin Meloy Sings Live! {album review}
32. Chris Walla - Field Manual {album review}
31. Head Like a Kite - There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere {album review}
30. Lake - Oh, the Places You'll Go
29. BOAT - Topps {info}
28. 31 Knots - Worried Well {info}
27. Gutter Twins - Saturnalia {album review}
26. Moondoggies - Don't Be A Stranger {info}
25. Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hands - Cody's Dream {album review}
24. Tea for Julie - The Sense in Tying Knots {album review}
23. Central Services - Central Services Presents... The Board of Education! {info}
22. These Arms Are Snakes - Tail Swallower & Dove {info}
21. Speaker Speaker - Call It Off {info}
20. Sera Cahoone - Only As the Day Is Long {album review}
19. Dutchess and the Duke - She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke {live show review}
18. The Saturday Knights - Mingle {album review}
17. Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams {album review}
16. Helms Alee - Night Terror {live show review}
15. Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Glistening Pleasure {live show review}
14. Death Cab for Cute - Narrow Stairs {album review}
13. Voyager One - Afterhours in the Afterlife {album review}
12. Shane Tutmarc and the Traveling Mercies - Hey Lazarus {album review}
11. Black Nite Crash - Array {info}
10. Damien Jurado - Caught In The Trees {album review}
9. Blitzen Trapper - Furr {album review}
8. Grand Archives - Grand Archives {album review}
7. Hey Marseilles - To Travels and Trunks {live show review}
6. Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead {album review}
5. Man Plus - Hungarian Suicide Songbook {album review}
4. The Kindness Kind - The Kindness Kind {info}
3. Kaylee Cole - We're Still Here Missing You {live show review}
2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes {album review}
1. New Faces - Two Years {album review}

Bestof2008-180.jpg

Upset. The word of the our 2008 Best Northwest Releases of 2008 Readers' Poll is upset.

Best of 2008: Top Northwest Releases of 2008 TIG Editorial Picks

three imaginary girls — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:10:11 +0000

TIG staffers are a lot like you -- coming up with our list of faves for the year is a fun and gripping process. After comparing/contrasting/debating our individual favorites, we figured the sum of our imaginary parts would make for an interesting list.

While ChrisB and Keenan, among other things, brought in the power-pop elements, Chris Estey stood by the smartie subtle elements of this year's Northwest offerings. Imaginary liz, as usual, loved the lo-fi and indie-pop songs, while imaginary dana spent much of the year obessed with Throw the the Statue and of course, the Fleet Foxes. And nearly all of us agreed that the Saturday Knights album was a force to be reckoned with. Here's our our staff votes tallied up...

Top Northwest Releases of 2008, TIG Editorial Picks:

25. The Nextdoor Neighbors - Magic Vs The Machine {live show review}
24. The Dead Science - Villanaire {album review}
23. H is for Hellgate - Come for the peaks stay for the valleys {info}
22. Kay Kay and His Weathered Underdround - Kay Kay and His Weathered Underdround {live show review}
21. BOAT - Topps EP {live show review}
20. LoveLand - The Beautiful Truth {info}
19. Damien Jurado - Caught In The Trees {album review}
18. Common Market - Black Patch War {album review}
17. Chris Walla - Field Manual {album review}
16. Hey Marseilles - To Travels and Trunks {live show review}
15. Jared Mees and the Grown Children - Caffeine, Alchohol, Sunshine, Money {album review}
14. Grand Archives - Grand Archives {album review}
13. Man Plus - Hungarian Suicide Songbook {album review}
12. Wallpaper - On The Chewing Gum Ground
11. (TIE) Young Sportsmen - If You Want It {album review}
11. (TIE) Doll Test - Mosque Alarm Clock
10. The Pica Beats - Beating Back the Claws of the Cold {info}
9. Team Gina - Products of the 80s {album review}
8. The Kindness Kind - The Kindness Kind {info}
7. The Pharmacy - Choose Ur Own Adventure {info}
6. Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams {album review}
5. Dutchess and the Duke - She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke {live show review}
4. The Old Haunts - Poisonous Times {live show review}
3. All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Into It {live show review}
2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes {album review}
1. The Saturday Knights - Mingle {album review}

Peruse some of individual staffer favs:

Amelia Gydé
ChrisB
Chris Estey
Erik Gonzalez
keenan dowers
Kyle Johnson {his photos} {other's photos}
imaginary dana
imaginary liz
Shrie

skwinner.jpg

TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2007

three imaginary girls — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:50:25 +0000

2007 has been another stellar year for local music, with some Northwest artists breaking out and having significant national releases, and other local upstarts charming us with great records. We know that you, like us, had a hard time determing who to place on your end of the year mixtape -- let alone which album should be should be crowned the #1 Northwest release of 2007.

And what did all that tabulation and debate equate to? The Three Imaginary Girls Best Northwest Releases of 2007 lists! The results of our TIG Readers' Poll had some expected winners, as well as some surprises. We invite you to check it all out, and to also check out our TIG top editorial picks, as well as the lists for each of our individual writers.

Without further ado, the winners!

TIG Best of 2007: Readers’ Poll
TIG readers never cease to amaze us with your good taste and ability to find hidden gems. Here’s what YOU think were the best Northwest releases of 2007.
TIG Best of 2007: Editors Picks
Our staff gathered together, put on boxing gloves, and figured out who we collectively think ruled the Northwest this year. Tears were shed.
TIG Best of 2007: Staff Picks
Lists lists lists, we love them! Is it no surprise that our staff members have their own lists? Check out the individual "best of" lists from many of our imaginary contributors.

Thanks to all of you for making 2007 another great year to be imaginary!

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TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2007: Readers' Poll Results

three imaginary girls — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:48:19 +0000

You voted, we tabulated. Our imaginary readers never fail to amaze us with their fabulous taste in music.

So without further ado {or flattery}...

Here are the winners of the Three Imaginary Girls top 50 Northwest Releases of 2007 Readers' Poll:

#50 Young Sportsmen Death to Palaces (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#49 Patience Please Fleeting Frequencies (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#48 The Valley The Valley (Self-released)
{band profile} * {buy}

#47 The Lonely H Hair (The Control Group)
{band profile} * {buy}

#46 Das Llamas World War (Aviation)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#45 The Saturday Knights The Saturday Knights EP (Light in the Attic)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#44 Schoolyard Heroes Abominations (Stolen Transmission)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#43 Natalie Portman's Shaved Head Secret Crush (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#42 Feral Children Eternity Emergency (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#41 Blitzen Trapper Wild Mountain Nation (Lidkercow Ltd.)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#40 Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden (Red Valise)
{band profile} * {buy}

#39 The Whore Moans Watch Out For the Thing (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#38 Mono in VCF Mono in VCF (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#37 Throw Me The Statue Moonbeams (Baskerville Hill)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#36 Pleasureboaters Gross (Don't Stop Believin')
{band profile} * {buy}

#35 H is for Hellgate H is for Hellgate (Stereotype Records)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#34 Bre Loughlin Modern American Photo Album (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#33 Dept of Energy Held By Waits (Roam Records)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#32 Spanish for 100 Say What You Want to Say to Me (Fish the Cat)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#31 Curtains For You Heaven's Waiting (Self-released)
{band profile} * {buy}

#30 Minus the Bear Planet of Ice (Suicide Squeeze)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#29 Siberian With Me (Sonic Boom Recordings)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#28 The Dimes The Silent Generation (Self-released)
{band profile} * {buy}

#27 Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours (Matinee)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#26 Tiny Vipers Hands Across the Void (Sub Pop)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#25 Carrie Akre ...Last the Evening (Loveless)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#24 The Shins Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#23 Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (Epic)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#22 Joy Want Eternity You Who Pretend to Sleep (Beep Repaired)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#21 Grand Hallway Yes Is the Answer (Self-released)
{band profile} * {buy}

#20 The Blakes The Blakes (Light in the Attic)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#19 Dolour The Years in the Wilderness (Self-released)
{band profile} * {buy}

#18 Speaker Speaker We Won't March (Burning Building)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#17 Friday Mile Love & Gasoline (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#16 Aqueduct Or Give Me Death (Barsuk)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#15 The Cops Free Electricity (The Control Group)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#14 Charmparticles Alive in the Hotspell (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#13 "Awesome" Beehive Sessions (Bandor)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#12 Smile Brigade Take The Precious Edge Off This Treacherous Ledge (Beep Repaired)
{band profile} * {buy}

#11 The Kindness Kind A Novel (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#10 Shane Tutmarc & The Traveling Mercies I'm Gonna Live the Life I Sing About In My Song (Inverness Recordings)
{band profile} * {buy}

#9 Arthur & Yu In Camera (Hardly Art)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#8 Gabriel Teodros Lovework (MassLine)
{band profile} * {buy}

#7 Menomena Friend and Foe (Barsuk)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#6 Cave Singers Invitation Songs (Matador)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#5 BOAT Let's Drag Our Feet (Magic Marker)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#4 Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center (Magic Marker)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#3 Ms Led Shake Yourself Awake (Fish the Cat)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#2 Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground Live at the Pretty Parlor {Bombs Over Bellevue}
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#1 Blue Scholars Bayani (MassLine Media, Rawkus)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

Bestof07-TIG_sm.jpg

You voted, we tabulated. Here are the winners of the Three Imaginary Girls top 50 Northwest Releases of 2007 Readers' Poll!

TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2007: Editors' picks

three imaginary girls — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:21:26 +0000

We gathered our imaginary staff to determine our collective Northwest favorites for 2007. It was hard work. Imaginary battles were fought, alliances formed, and finally, winners emerged.

You should have seen the way that imaginary Liz can arm wrestle, and how Erik Gonzalez can duke it out for his favorite bands. It was fierce and fun, and we think our final list was well worth the effort.

Here they are: the TIG official editor picks for best Northwest releases of 2007. Enjoy!

#20 Grand Hallway Yes Is the Answer (Self-released)
{band profile} * {buy}

#19 Aqueduct Or Give Me Death (Barsuk)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#18 Night Canopy Of Honey and Country (Go Midnight)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#17 Team Gina Gina Gina Revolution (Self-released)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#16 Arthur & Yu In Camera (Hardly Art)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#15 Minus the Bear Planet of Ice (Suicide Squeeze)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#14 The Cops Free Electricity (The Control Group)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#13 Ms Led Shake Yourself Awake (Fish the Cat)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#12 The Femurs Modern Mexico (HomeSpun)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#11 Patience Please Fleeting Frequencies (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#10 Grand Archives Grand Archives (Self-released / Sub Pop)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#9 Shake Some Action! Shake Some Action (Satellite 451)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#8 Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours (Matinee)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#7 Throw Me The Statue Moonbeams (Baskerville Hill)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#6 Blue Scholars Bayani (MassLine Media, Rawkus)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#5 Siberian With Me (Sonic Boom Recordings)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#4 BOAT Let's Drag Our Feet (Magic Marker)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#3 Menomena Friend and Foe (Barsuk)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#2 Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center (Magic Marker)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

#1 Cave Singers Invitation Songs (Matador)
{review} * {band profile} * {buy}

Honorable mentions:

Blitzen Trapper Wild Mountain Nation (Lidkercow Ltd.)

Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (Epic)

Schoolyard Heroes Abominations (Stolen Transmission)

The Shaky Hands The Shaky Hands (Holocene Music)

The Shins Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop)

Bestof07-TIG_sm.jpg

We gathered our imaginary staff to determine our collective Northwest favorites for 2007. It was hard work. Imaginary battles were fought, alliances formed, and finally, winners emerged.

TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2007: Staff picks

three imaginary girls — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:18:41 +0000

While we encourage you to check out our TIG top editor picks for 2007, we also think it's worth your while to see what each of our imaginary staffers liked the best.

Our writers got a bit creative with their lists, so these best-of lists range from favorite Northwest releases to favorite singles to favorite album covers. Have a look-see!

TIG staffers best-of lists:

Bob Ham (top albums)
ChrisB (top NW releases)
Erik Gonzalez (top songs)
Erik Gonzalez (top albums)
Imaginary Ash (top songs)
Imaginary Chona (top albums)
Imaginary Dana (top albums, top NW albums, top songs)
imaginary embracey (top albums)
Imaginary Kiku (best album art)
Imaginary Liz (top albums)
imaginary stella (top albums, top NW albums, top songs)
Joseph Riippi (top albums, top NW albums)
Kyle Johnson (top live music photos)
Kyle Johnson (top songs)
Mary for Certain (top albums)
Sarah Jo (top albums)
Sero(tone)in (top albums, top NW albums)
Tim Hanken (top albums)

Bestof07-TIG_sm.jpg

See what each our imaginary staffers picked as their faves of 2007.

Best Northwest Releases of 2006

three imaginary girls — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:00:00 +0000

Zow — it's been another great year for music everywhere, and a particularly amazing one for music straight outta the Northwest (we hate to brag, but the hometown pride has us beaming!). Thanks to all of you who voted in our fourth annual Best Northwest Releases of 2006 Readers' Poll. As always, we are pleased as punch by all your votes — and humbled to live in a region with such incredible talent.

Without further ado, our winners!

#50 Mon Frere Blood, Sweat & Swords (Cake Records)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#49 Conrad Ford Don't You Miss Yourself (Tarnished Records)
{website} * {buy}

#48 M. Ward Post-War (Merge)
{website} * {buy}

#47 Head Like A Kite Random Portraits of the Home Movie (Pattern 25)
{review} * website} * {buy}

#46 The Hands So Sweet (Basement Empire)
{website} * {buy}

#45 The Village Green Feeling The Fall (Spin Art)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#44 Skullbot Skullbot (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#43 Andrea Wittgens Alibi (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#42 Common Market Common Market (Mass Line)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#41 Smoosh Free to Stay (Barsuk)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#40 The Exploding Hearts Shattered (Dirtnap)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#39 Iceage Cobra Brilliant Ideas From Amazing People (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#38 Transmissionary Six Radar (Glitterhouse)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#37 These Arms Are Snakes (Jade Tree)
{website} * {buy}

#36 Coho Things Change (Lujo)
{website} * {buy}

#35 Sneaky Thieves Accidents (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#34 Harvey Danger Little By Little (Kill Rock Stars)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#33 The Blood Brothers Young Machetes (V2)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#32 The Sea Navy Oh These Troubled Times (Lucky Horse)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#31 Argo Attack of the Firebots (Fish the Cat)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#30 The Blakes The Blakes (Self-released)
{website} * {buy}

#29 Pearl Jam Pearl Jam (Sony)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#28 The Blow Paper Television (K Records)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#27 Central Services Central Services (This...Bodek Music)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#26 Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes (Self-released)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#25 Carrie Clark and the Lonesome Lovers Seems So Civilized (Self-released)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#24 The Purrs The Purrs (Sarathan)
{website} * {buy}

#23 Pleasurecraft This Is A Blackout (Pleasurecraft Music)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#22 Thee Emergency Can You Dig It? (Blue Disguise)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#21 Sera Cahoone Sera Cahoone (Self-released)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#20 The Lights Diamonds and Dirt (Wantage USA)
{website} * {buy}

#19 Patience Please Parallel Plots (Jigsaw)
{podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#18 The Heavy Hearts The Heavy Hearts (Swingline)
{website} * {buy}

#17 Man Plus We Had No Sex (Self-released)
{podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#16 The Snakebites Love, Hate, Rage, and Sorrow (Self-released)
{podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#15 Jeremy Enigk World Waits (Reincarnate Music)
{website} * {buy}

#14 Neko Case Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (Anti)
{website} * {buy}

#13 Racetrack Go Ahead and Say It (Self-released)
{podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#12 Rocky Votolato Makers (Barsuk)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#11 Panda and Angel Panda and Angel (Jade Tree)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#10 The Gossip Standing In the Way of Control (Kill Rock Stars)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#9 Viva Voce Get Yr Blood Sucked Out (Barsuk)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#8 Math & Physics Club Math and Physics Club (Matinee)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#7 The Trucks The Trucks (Click-Pop)
{review} * {podcast} * {website} * {buy}

#6 Built to Spill You In Reverse (Warner)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#5 The Thermals The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Sub Pop)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#4 Band Of Horses Everything All the Time (Sub Pop)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#3 The Long Winters Putting the Days to Bed (Barsuk)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#2 The Decemberists The Crane Wife (Capitol)
{review} * {website} * {buy}

#1 BOAT Songs That You Might Not Like (Magic Marker)
{review} * {podcast} * {website} * {buy}

Thanks to all of you who voted, went out to live shows, came to our imaginary events, read our website, and helped make 2006 another amazing year to be imaginary.

The winners in the TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2006 Readers' Poll, including BOAT, the Decemberists, the Long Winters, Band of Horses, the Thermals, and um, 45 more.

Our Imaginary Editor Picks: Best of 2006

three imaginary girls — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:00:00 +0000

I'm so proud of the Pacific Northwest music scene, as she has given us some of the best records released anywhere (although Suburban Kids, Art Brut, Manhattan Love Suicides, and Graham Coxon — I love you like a sister). If I may have a moment, may I publicly declare love for my favorite releases of the year?

I'd like to see anyone even try to stop an imaginary girl mid-gush....

(clears throat) Math and Physics Club, how I adore your heart-melting lyrics and wispy guitar noodles. BOAT, you took lo-fi up a notch with smart songs about parts of speech and addictive melodies (you really deserve your #1 crown). Thermals, dear Thermals. At first I questioned your whole "World being taken over by Christian Fascist" theme, but being the committed Hutch-ite that I am, I listened over and over and became hooked on TBTBTM. Or was it the fact that one of the lines orders folks to strip down to their underwear? Either way, now I LOVE the anti-Christian Fascist Thermals. The Trucks, you gave us all a theme song and a reason to dress up. Eux Autres, although I still have trouble pronouncing your name, I thank you for your nonchalant elegance and understated coolness. Your brother-sister-duo-ness gives me hope that the White Stripes aren't the end of the line. Although I do love me some Jack and Meg, your rhythm section is stronger and your fashion-sense equally scalable to the masses. I thank you for that. I look horrible in white and red. Patience Please, although you are the only EP on the list, you have earned your placement with your spastic indie-pop licks and slight naiveté. I hear you have a full-length planned in 2007? Oh, 2007... you have a lot to live up to!

Um, Liz, I thought you were just going to give us your list...?

Oh yeah, my list! Phew. Here's my list...

Math and Physics Club, Math and Physics Club (Matinee)

BOAT, Songs That you Might Not Like (Magic Marker)

Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, #3 (Minty Fresh)

The Thermals, The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Sub Pop)

Art Brut, Bang Bang Rock And Roll (Downtown)

The Trucks, The Trucks (Click-Pop)

The Manhattan Love Suicides, The Manhattan Love Suicides (Magic Marker)

Graham Coxon, Love Travels At Illegal Speeds (Parlophone)

Eux Autres, Hell Is Eux Autres (Grenadine)

Patience Please, Parallel Plots (Jigsaw)

Goddamnit, how did I forget Art Brut in my list?? Ack! Ahh well, I'm still in love with Emily Kane, and here's my list...

Figurines, Skeletons (The Control Group)

The Knife, Deep Cuts (Rabid Records)

Heartless Bastards, All This Time (Fat Possum)

The Long Winters, Putting the Days to Bed (Barsuk)

Math and Physics Club, Math and Physics Club (Matinee)

The Trucks, The Trucks (Click-Pop)

The Rakes, Capture/Release (V2)

Band of Horses, Everything All of the Time (Sub Pop)

Heather Duby, Heather Duby (Sonic Boom Recordings)

The Doll Test, Gasoline and Banks (Unsmashable)

My list is in no particular order. If you're one of those people who longs for order, well... email me and I'll whip something up. Otherwise, behold my faves of 2006:

The Grates, Gravity Won't Get you High (Cherry Tree)

Joseph Arthur, Nuclear Daydream (Megaforce)

The Decemberists, The Crane Wife (Capitol)

Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere (Downtown)

The Gossip, Standing In the Way of Control (Kill Rock Stars)

Regina Spektor, Begin To Hope (Sire)

Lily Allen, Alright, Still (Capitol)

Justin Timberlake, FutureSex / LoveSounds (Jive)

Psapp, The Only Thing I Ever Wanted (Domino)

Silversun Pickups, Carnavas (Dangerbird)

But don't just take our word for it. See what our readers had to say by reading the results of the Best Northwest Releases of 2006 Readers' Poll {they're way smarter than we are anyways}.

I'm so proud of the Pacific Northwest music scene, as she has given us some of the best records released anywhere (although Suburban Kids, Art Brut, Manhattan Love Suicides, and Graham Coxon — I love you like a sister).

Best Northwest Releases of 2005: Imaginary Staff Picks

three imaginary girls — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000

You weren't the only one we asked to vote. We asked our imaginary staffers to gather their best-of-the-year lists too! Here's what has been in highest rotation on our iPods this year.

{50-41} * {40-31} * {30-21} * {20-11} * {10-1}
{top 100} * {imaginary picks}

Overall Imaginary Staff Picks for Best Northwest Releases of 2005

The Long Winters, Ultimatum
Daylight Basement, Any Kind of Pretty
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Tullycraft, Disenchanted Hearts Unite
Harvey Danger, Little By Little
Math & Physics Club, Movie Ending Romance/Weekends Away
The Elephants, The Elephants
The Decemberists, Picaresque
The Catch, Get Cool
Slender Means, Neon & Ruin

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Char, Imaginary Girl

The Decemberists, Picaresque
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Minus the Bear, Menos El Oso
Tennis Pro, Cassie's Junior Varsity Make-Out Squad
Harvey Danger, Little By Little
Aqueduct, I Sold Gold
Blue Scholars, The Long March
Crooked Fingers, Dignity and Shame
Dear Darling, Songs of Friends and Family
Fruit Bats, Spelled in Bones

Dana, Imaginary Girl

The Elephants, The Elephants
Tullycraft, Disenchanted Hearts Unite
Daylight Basement, Any Kind of Pretty
Math & Physics Club, Movie Ending Romance/Weekends Away
Slender Means, Neon & Ruin
The Long Winters, Ultimatum EP
The Catch, Get Cool
Infomatik, Technologies
Tea for Julie, Division
The Pale Pacific, Urgency

Liz, Imaginary Girl

Math & Physics Club, Movie Ending Romance/Weekends Away
Boat, Life is a Shipwreck, We Must Remember To Sing In The Life Boats
The Elephants, The Elephants
The Catch, Get Cool
The Long Winters, Ultimatum EP
The Divorce, The Gifted Program
The Wedding Present, Take Fountain
Love Hotel, Masculine Feminine EP
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Tullycraft, Disenchanted Hearts Unite

ChrisB

A Frames, Black Forest
The Catch, Get Cool
Daylight Basement, Any Kind of Pretty
Harvey Danger, Little By Little
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Anna Oxygen, Meet Jennifer 7"
Sleater-Kinney, The Woods
Slender Means, Neon & Ruin
Tennis Pro, Cassie's Junior Varsity Make-Out Squad
The Pale Pacific, Urgency

Chris Estey

The Long Winters, Ultimatum EP
Daylight Basement, Any Kind Of Pretty
Degenerate Art Ensemble, The Bastress
The Dead Science, Frost Giant
Buttersprites, Buttersprites
Damien Jurado, On My Way To Absence
The Elephants, The Elephants
The Withholders, Stay In My Corner
Tennis Pro, Cassie's Junior Varsity Make-Out Squad
Sameer Shukla, There's Only One Side Tonight

Erik Gonzalez

The Decemberists, Picaresque
Sleater Kinney, The Woods
Stephen Malkmus, Face the Truth
Mon Frere, Real Vampires
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans

imaginary boy embracey, Film and Theater Editor

New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
The Decemberists, Picaresque
Math & Physics Club, Movie Ending Romance/Weekends Away
Boat, Life is a Shipwreck, We Must Remember to Sing in the Lifeboats
The Salteens, Let Go of Your Bad Days

imaginary jessica

Blue Scholars, The Long March
Crystal Skulls, Blocked Numbers
The Divorce, The Gifted Program
Mono In VCF, The Voltage Control EP
Slender Means, Neon & Ruin

Joseph Riippi, Imaginary NYC Correspondent

Tullycraft, Disenchanted Hearts Unite
Crooked Fingers, Dignity and Shame
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
The Long Winters, Ultimatum EP
Luke Temple, Hold a Match for a Gasoline World
Boat, Life is a Shipwreck, We Must Remember to Sing in the Lifeboats
31 Knots, Talk Like Blood
Sleater-Kinney, The Woods
Banner Barbados, Since Your Caught My Eye Demo
Colin Meloy, Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey

sero(tone)n, Imaginary Calendar Editor

Awesome, Delaware
Crooked Fingers, Dignity and Shame
Crystal Skulls, Blocked Numbers
Daylight Basement, Any Kind of Pretty
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
The Decemberists, Picaresque
Math & Physics Club, Movie Ending Romance/Weekends Away
Minus the Bear, Menos El Oso
The Sun-Ups, The Fatal Flaw
Tullycraft, Disenchanted Hearts Unite

Stella

Crystal Skulls, Blocked Numbers
Brandi Carlile, Brandi Carlile
Slender Means, Neon & Ruin
Daylight Basement, Any Kind of Pretty
Harvey Danger, Little By Little
Blue Scholars, The Long March
The Ruby Doe, Always With Wings
The Valley, The Valley
Minus the Bear, Menos El Oso
Tea for Julie, Division

Travis Hay

Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
The Divorce, The Gifted Program
Harvey Danger, Little By Little
Kane Hodder, The Pleasure To Remain So Heartless
The Pale Pacific, Urgency
The Posies, Every Kind of Light
Schoolyard Heroes, Fantastic Wounds
Sleater-Kinney, The Woods
Super Deluxe, Surrender!
Vendetta Red, Sisters of the Red Death

{50-41} * {40-31} * {30-21} * {20-11} * {10-1}
{top 100} * {imaginary picks}

You weren't the only one we asked to vote. We asked our imaginary staffers to gather their best-of-the-year lists too! Here's what has been in highest rotation on our iPods this year.

Three Imaginary Girls Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll Results {10-1}

three imaginary girls — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000

{50-41} * {40-31} * {30-21} * {20-11} * {10-1}
{top 100} * {imaginary picks}

#10 Harvey Danger — Little By Little
(Phonographic Records)
Harvey Danger catapulted back onto the NW stage with the fantastic DIY-style album, self-released and offered up free (donations welcomed) on the band's website. The striking LP showcases the Harvey Danger's leaps-and-bounds progression since their five-year hiatus. To boot, Sean Nelson's acerbic voice grew mightily into a Broadway-worthy, bell-ringing croon that can finally hold the weight of his witty words. {Stella}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#9 Mon Frere — Real Vampires
(Cake Records)
With their debut release, Mon Frere have grown beyond their EMP Soundoff (the annual underage Battle of the Bands) accolades and proven themselves to be more than three kids from Mountlake Terrace who used their study hall time wisely. This trio have a thing or two to teach us all on how to sum their parts (keyboards, soaring female vocals, and riff-driven guitar) into one mean end. {igLiz}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review} * {interview}

#8 Sleater Kinney — The Woods
(Sub Pop)
As far as indie bands go, Sleater-Kinney had it good: a comfortable home at Kill Rock Stars, critical acclaim, and tons of adoring fans. Not needing a makeover, Carrie Brownstein, Corin Tucker and Janet Weiss nonetheless signed with Sub Pop, hired a producer that wasn't even a fan, and rediscovered Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Along the way, the band managed to release its most challenging record to date. {ChrisB}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#7 Buttersprites — Buttersprites
(Dionysus Records)
Buttersprites are a tasty musical morsel, and they recognize the importance of snappy matching outfits, sassy live performances, and ironic covers (note the cover of Iggy Pop's "Dog Food" on this release, worth the ticket price just to hear Haruko Nishimura bark her way through). Their debut punk-pop release brought Seattle props through a coveted spot on All Music Guide, and earned the band a devoted following beyond the Northwest. More fun than Pocky. {igDana}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#6 Blue Scholars — The Long March
(Self-released)
Sabzi and Geologic together are Blue Scholars, Seattle's heir apparent to the Northwest hip hop throne. Critical intelligence floods the narratives of each song's statement. Blue Scholars explore tough topics, from dayjob futility to the war in Iraq, expressing the doubts, anger, fear, uncertainty, angst, and a myriad of other complex human emotions, yet the tone throughout remains hopeful and upbeat. And you can dance to it. {igDana}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#5 Stars of Track and Field — You Came Here For Sunset Last Year
(Mad Recordings)
With the release of their EP, this Portland, Oregon three piece have cleared the clutter of their influences and pared down to concise electro-gazer. Their brand of fuzz has a pop slant that ensconces the listener in velveteen harmonies. Confident and charismatic, we eagerly anticipate a full-length release on their new label (SideCho) in the coming year. {igLiz}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#4 Slender Means — Neon & Ruin
(Mt. Fuji)
After two+ years of playing increasingly packed local shows, Slender Means finally released a stunning debut in Neon & Ruin, a rollicking record of sweeping pop-rock gems. Featuring Josh Dawson's stunning vocals (the most mellifluous in Seattle, mark my words) and the intricate guitar mastery of Sonny Votolato, the band appears poised on the precipice of super-stardom. {igDana}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#3 The Decemberists — Picaresque
(Kill Rock Stars)
One listen through the Decemberists' Picaresque will have you pulling out your dictionary faster than if you were at a Scrabble tournament. With each song, frontman Colin Meloy becomes less of a lead singer of a band and more of a bleating narrator painting stories of love, loss, consumption by a whale, athletic injury and other such imaginative prose fit for milk-and-cookies story time. {igChar}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#2 Tullycraft — Disenchanted Hearts Unite
(Magic Marker)
It may have been three years in the making, but Tullycraft — founding member of the indie-pop worldwide proletariat — have given us a fresh take on their brand of hook-laden pop: whipsmart lyrics surrounded by guitar jangles, and enough "bah bah baps!" and "ah ah ahhs!" to send us into 2006 spinning cartwheels. Undeniably their best release, Disenchanted Hearts Unite triumphs as a near-manifesto to stellar pop songwriting. {igDana}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#1 Death Cab for Cutie — Plans
(Atlantic)
We're sure no one is surprised to see Death Cab for Cutie topping the imaginary readers' poll this year. A major label debut, multiple appearances on The OC, and a Grammy nomination have the local Death Cab boys on their way to becoming a household name. With thoughtful songwriting, pristine production, and vocals that make the girls swoon, Death Cab continues to release unshakably great albums. {igChar}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

See all the winners in the TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll (see the top 10 winners, including Death Cab, Tullycraft, the Decemberists, and more).

Three Imaginary Girls Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll Results {20-11}

three imaginary girls — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000

{50-41} * {40-31} * {30-21} * {20-11} * {10-1}
{top 100} * {imaginary picks}

#20 Math and Physics Club — Weekends Away/Movie Ending Romance EPs (Matinée)
Blending the equal parts Belle & Sebastian, Magnetic Fields, and The Lucksmiths, this Seattle band write songs to comfort the saddest of hearts, or skip with the gleeful. Without depending on depression-filled admissions or teenage angst, they tug at your heartstrings with their warm landscape of timeless melodies. {igLiz}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review} * {interview}

#19 The Pale Pacific — Urgency (Sidecho)
While changing their name to avoid a lawsuit, The Pale Pacific crafted a worthy successor to their 2002 masterpiece, Gravity Gets Things Done. Urgency is a much darker album, with denser instrumentation. "Identity Theft" — a tale of a father trying to enlist his son into a life of crime that shifts perspectives and tempo frequently — is one of the best pop songs of the year. Or any other year. {ChrisB}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review} * {interview}

#18 Schoolyard Heroes — Fantastic Wounds
(The Control Group)
Schoolyard Heroes' frontwoman Ryann Donnelly roars, soars, and frightens us in the best of ways with her astonishing vocals and her bold stage presence. Through 2005, she has led Schoolyard Heroes like a demonic prom queen through a frighteningly great release and a staggering number of off-the-hook live shows. {igDana}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#17 New Pornographers — Twin Cinema (Matador)
While mucking with weird timing signatures and a diminished role for Neko Case, it would be easy to write off the latest from Vancouver's best pop band. Fortunately, Carl Newman understands the craft of pop songwriting better than anyone since Brian Wilson. The songs here are as catchy as those on their past releases, and the harmonies from singers Newman, Case, Dan Bejar and the Newest Pornographer Kathryn Calder (Newman's long-lost niece) are irresistible, too. {ChrisB}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#16 The Purrs — The Dreams Our Stuff is Made Of (Self-released)
The darkly tinged dour-rock of The Purrs has enamoured fans and DJs alike this year, with nearly unprecedented local radio support and opening spots for luminaries like The Wrens, The Heavenly States, and Voyager One. Their brand of acerbic guitars, inky vocals, and broody atomospherics and themes propelled The Dreams Our Stuff is Made Of to the top of the local rock pack. Meow! {igDana}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#15 The Divorce — The Gifted Program (Made in Mexico)
It's a lot to ask, to follow up an album as brilliant as 2003's There Will Be Blood Tonight, but the Divorce has answered our cries with a release full of catchy guitars and confident vocals that become more addictive with each listen. They've not only grown in size (from a trio to a four-piece), but their more mature sound also combines our fave moments of the 80's and 90's into a glossy package worthy of a Spin cover in 2006. {igLiz}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#14 Tea for Julie — Division
(Self-released)
This Portland, Oregon band wails and rocks straight through 13 tracks of swirly, poppy, heavy bliss. Their buoyant energy and surreal melodies mesh to form biting and experimental songs. Anglophiles will likely find this Britpop-roots debut especially captivating. {Stella}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#13 Daylight Basement — Any Kind of Pretty (Self-released)
Daylight Basement blazed onto the field during the last minutes of 2005's 4th quarter with their game-winning, effervescent debut. Bre Loughlin come-hithers her way through jarring vocals, while new wave sugar-pop melodies muddle with murkier twinges of post-punk abrasion. And faux horns! Highly danceable, highly enjoyable, and highly recommended. {Stella}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review} * {interview}

#12 The Long Winters — Ultimatum (Barsuk)
The range of emotion found within the confines of this five-song EP follows suit with what we've come to expect from John Roderick, a guy who makes McSweeney's feel low-brow. With beautifully dancing layers of acoustic harmonies melted over intricate guitar arrangements, this immaculately produced release makes water taste like wine. {igLiz}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#11 The Hot Rollers — Got Your Number
(Sweaty Betty)
More than just sassy garage rockers, this all-girl Seattle trio has up'd the Joan Jett ante with sixties flirts and L7 gut-punches. Their sound is, at once, cheeky, clever and crafty. We love good girls gone bad. Or are they bad girls, gone good? {igLiz}
{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

See all the winners in the TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll (see winners #20-11 here).

Three Imaginary Girls Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll Results {30-21}

three imaginary girls — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000

#30 M. Ward — Transistor Radio
(Merge Records)

{official website} * {buy it}

#29 Minus the Bear — Menos El Oso
(Suicide Squeeze)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#28 The Elephants — The Elephants
(Self-released)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#27 The Pharmacy — B.F.F
(Don't Stop Believin' Records)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#26 The Withholders — Stay In My Corner
(Lit Rag)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#25 Mono in VCF — The Voltage Control EP
(Self-released)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review} * {interview}

#24 Speaker Speaker — Again & Again & Again
(Self-released)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#23 Some By Sea — The Saddest Christmas
(Kringle)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#22 Luke Temple — Hold a Match for a Gasoline World
(Mill Pond Records)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#21 In Praise of Folly — Means/Ends
(Lujo Records)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

See all the winners in the TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll (see winners #30-21 here).

Three Imaginary Girls Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll Results {40-31}

three imaginary girls — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000

{50-41} * {40-31} * {30-21} * {20-11} * {10-1}
{top 100} * {imaginary picks}

#40 Vendetta Red — "Sisters Of the Red Death"
(Sony)

{official website} * {buy it}

#39 Matthew Shaw — Convenience
(Self-released)

{official website} * {buy it}

#38 Fruit Bats — Spelled in Bones
(Sub Pop)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#37 Aqueduct — I Sold Gold
(Barsuk)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#36 Laura Veirs — Year of Meteors
(Nonesuch)

{official website} * {buy it}

#35 The Emergency — Far Out
(Self-released)

{official website} * {buy it}

#34 Tim Seely — Tim Seely's Funeral Music
(Slow Love Records )

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#33 Kelli Hanson — Lullaby for an Astronaut
(Bigger Than the Barn)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#32 Crown Aruba — alotisalot
(Unsmashable Records)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#31 Crystal Skulls — Blocked Numbers
(Suicide Squeeze)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

See all the winners in the TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll (see winners #40-31 here).

Three Imaginary Girls Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll Results {50-41}

three imaginary girls — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000

{50-41} * {40-31} * {30-21} * {20-11} * {10-1}
{top 100} * {imaginary picks}

#50 Common Market — "Common Market"
(SCIONtific Records)

{official website} * {buy it}

#49 The Catch — Get Cool
(Made in Mexico)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#48 Degenerate Art Ensemble — The Bastress
(Tellous)

{official website} * {buy it} * {interview}

#47 Boat — Life is a Shipwreck, We Must Remember to Sing in the Lifeboats
(Oh No Disaster)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#46 Tennis Pro — Cassie's Junior Varsity Make-Out Squad
(B-Side)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#45 Key Note Speaker — Fiction
(Self-released)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#44 The Cloves — Waiting for the World to Be
(Self-released)

{official website} * {buy it}

#43 Paris Spleen — The Gentleman's Club EP
(Self-released)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#42 The Valley — The Valley
(Swingline)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

#41 Kinski — Alpine Static
(Sub Pop)

{official website} * {buy it} * {review}

See all the winners in the TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll (see winners #50-41 here).

Best Northwest Releases of 2005: Top 100 Readers' Poll Winners

three imaginary girls — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000

You voted, we tabulated. Here's a print-ready list of the top 100 Pacific Northwest releases of the year for your post-holiday-gift-certificate shopping pleasure...

{50-41} * {40-31} * {30-21} * {20-11} * {10-1}
{top 100} * {imaginary picks}

Death Cab for Cutie — Plans {review}
Tullycraft — Disenchanted Hearts Unite {review}
The Decemberists — Picaresque {review}
Slender Means — Neon & Ruin {review}
Stars Of Track & Field — You Came Here For Sunset Last Year {review}
Blue Scholars — The Long March {review}
Buttersprites — Buttersprites {review}
Sleater Kinney — The Woods {review}
Mon Frere — Real Vampires {review}
Harvey Danger — Little By Little {review}
The Hot Rollers — Got Your Number {review}
The Long Winters — Ultimatum {review}
Daylight Basement — Any Kind of Pretty {review}
Tea For Julie — Division {review}
The Divorce — The Gifted Program {review}
The Purrs — The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of {review}
New Pornographers — Twin Cinema {review}
Schoolyard Heroes — Fantastic Wounds {review}
The Pale Pacific — Urgency {review}
Math and Physics Club — Weekends Away {review}
In Praise of Folly — Means/Ends {review}
Luke Temple — Hold a Match for a Gasoline World {review}
Some By Sea — The Saddest Christmas {review}
Speaker Speaker — Again & Again & Again {review}
Mono in VCF — The Voltage Control EP {review}
The Withholders — Stay in My Corner {review}
The Pharmacy — B.F.F. {review}
The Elephants — The Elephants {review}
Minus the Bear — Menos El Oso {review}
M. Ward — Transistor Radio
Crystal Skulls — Blocked Numbers {review}
Crown Aruba — alotisalot {review}
Kelli Hanson — Lullaby for an Astronaut {review}
Tim Seely — Tim Seely's Funeral Music {review}
The Emergency — Far Out
Laura Veirs — Year of Meteors
Aqueduct — I Sold Gold {review}
Fruit Bats — Spelled in Bones {review}
Matthew Shaw — Convenience
Vendetta Red — Sisters of the Red Death
Kinski — Alpine Static {review}
The Valley — The Valley {review}
Paris Spleen — The Gentleman's Club EP {review}
The Cloves — Waiting for the World To Be
Key Note Speaker — Fiction
Tennis Pro — Cassie's Junior Varsity Make-Out Squad {review}
Boat — Life is a Shipwreck, We Must Remember to Sing in the Lifeboats {review}
Degenerate Art Ensemble — The Bastress {interview}
The Catch — Get Cool {review}
Common Market — Common Market
Pistol for a Paycheck — Cult Culture
The Village Green — The Village Green {review}
The Cops — Get Good Or Stay Bad {review}
Elite Stranger — Something To Fall Back On
Gary Reynolds & the Brides of Obscurity — Instant Happiness {review}
The Nevvers — Influencing Friends and Making People
Damien Jurado — On My Way To Absence {review}
The Hope — In the Deep {review}
Space Cretins — Rocket Role
Jimmy Flame & the SexXy Boys — It's After Sick
Crooked Fingers — Dignity & Shame
Infomatik — Technologies
A Frames — Black Forest
Voyager One — Dissolver
ManPlus — You Smell Pretty When You Stop Yelling
Romance — When Things Are Better {review}
Dear Darling — Songs of Friends and Family
Sameer Shukla — There's Only One Side Tonight {review}
Headphones — Headphones
Half Acre Day — Half Acre Day
The Melody Unit — Songs for the New American Century
Dolour — A Matter of Time
The Ruby Doe — Always With Wings {review}
The Briefs — Steal Yer Heart
Velella Velella — The Bay of Biscay {interview}
Black Mountain — Black Mountain
Daphne Loves Derby — On the Strength of All Convinced
Umber Sleeping — Psychedelic Sci-Fi New Wave Fusion Band Volume 1
Fall of Troy — Doppelganger
The Western States — Trouble in the Union
Boyd Reno Is John Center — Soul Explosions
Kate Tucker — Eros Turannos
Kuma — Fast Colliding
Holy Ghost Revival — Bleeding Light
Kane Hodder — The Pleasure To Remain So Heartless
Rosie Thomas — If Songs Could Be Held {review}
Charming Snakes — Ammunition
Derby — This Is The New You {review}
The Joggers — With a Cape and a Cane
Menomena — Under An Hour-Songs For Modern Dance
Brandi Carlile — Brandi Carlile
The Posies — Every Kind of Light
The Beautiful Mothers — Half American Serviceman
The Saturday Knights — The Saturday Knights
The Small Change — The Small Change {review}
31 Knots — Talk Like Blood {review}
Explone — Crooks
The Blow — Poor Aim: Love Songs
The Stares — Spine to Sea {review}
Awesome — Delaware {review}

You voted, we tabulated. Here's a print-ready list of the top 100 Pacific Northwest releases of the year for your post-holiday-gift-certificate shopping pleasure...

Three Imaginary Girls Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll Results

three imaginary girls — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 08:00:00 +0000

2005 was an amazing year for music, and our Pacific Northwest home has been teeming with incredible albums. Our third annual Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll elicited thousands and thousands of votes this year, for over 400 bands. The quality of great Northwest music — and the enthusiasm of the fans supporting it — is simply staggering.

Take a moment now and see who you, our imaginary readers, picked as the best Northwest releases for 2005 (and have a look-see at who the imaginary writers' faves were as well).

Thanks to all of you who voted, went out to live shows, came to our imaginary events, read our website, and helped make 2005 an amazing year to be imaginary. Special thanks to the fabulous Sonic Boom Records, who have the Top 10 winners available on a special "imaginary listening station" at all three of their locations.

See all the winners in the TIG Best Northwest Releases of 2005 Readers' Poll.