Top 31 of 2006: #7

Cursive: "Happy Hollow"
Released: August 22, 2006

Talk about irony. When I finalized my list for the top 31 of 2006, back in late November, I did the math to see which band would be revealed on Christmas Day. Turns out, it's Cursive, the band that single-handedly tore Christianity a new one this year. So maybe that's not your thing. That's cool, it's not really mine either. But come on, to deny the awesomeness of "Happy Hollow" is to deny your carnal desire to rock out! Sure, the lyrical content may not be to your suiting, but who doesn't like a full brass section blaring while some guy is screaming about the big bang theory? Personally, I can't think of a better way to hear about the big bang. "Happy Hollow" is not the happiest album, but it's one of the most forceful albums of the year and surprisingly more vicious than Cursive's previous album "The Ugly Organ." So if you refuse to listen to it simply because of the lyrical content, well, you're really missing out on something special. Heathenistic, for sure. But a special kind of heathenism. That's something to have a "Merry Christmas" about.

For rocking my (and Jesus') balls off, Cursive lands in the #7 spot.

Top 31 Songs of 2006: #7

The Divine Comedy - "To Die a Virgin" from the album Victory for the Comic Muse.