Faygoluvers Albums of the Year.
Album of the year was decided by a vote of all members of the FLH staff, Each member made a person top 10 list, the lists were then sent in and the votes were tallied and placed in order based on average spot. There was no criteria for album of the year other than the album was released in 2006. Upon completion of the list, Flh notified each winner and asked for a response in either text, video, or mp3 form, we worked hard to get a quote from every artists however time restraints set around the holidays made it hard to achieve that goal.
1.
Artist Name: Tech N9ne
Album Title: Everready: The Religion
Release Date: November 7th, 2006
Record Label: Strange Music/M.S.C.
Tech N9ne had been touring the country nonstop for the last four years, and the anticipation for Everready had been growing more and more every day since the release of his previous Full Length album, Absolute Power. When the album was finally released, it was considered by his fans as either his best record, or his worst. We obviously feel as it was one of his best albums to date, showcasing his diversity and ability to switch styles with ease, the booklet list his different personalities as The King, The Clown, The G, and folks it aint just smoke', the album introduces us to all three, seen visibly in the different atmosphere of songs such as Come Gangsta, The Rain, and Riot Maker. The album sold over 20,000 copies in its first week and showed everyone that you don't have to release an album every week to gain power, Tech did it from pure work ethic, constant touring and a very fan friendly attitude. Despite the sacrifice Tech talks openly about on the album, he gave more to his fans on this album then any in his arsenal, and as a listener, that is all you can ask for
2.
Artist Name: Jedi Mind Tricks
Album Title: Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
Release Date: November 7th, 2006
Record Label: Babygrande Records
Vinnie Paz and his partner in crime, producer Stoupe, proudly presented the groups Fifth Studio Album. Garnering much more praise than the previous album from both fans and critics alike, Jedi Mind Tricks are the top of the their game. With songs such as Razorblade Suitcase; Heavy Metal Kings featuring ILL BILL, Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story with R.A The Rugged Man, and the production effort from Stoupe this album is easily one of the top 10 albums of the year. Jedi Mind Tricks helped bolster their success by releasing the Army of The Pharaohs Debut album – The Torture Papers before releasing this album, and by doing this created a buzz over the improved abilities of Vinnie Paz. Check em' out on their World Tour in Europe Now!
*When told of the nomination the fine folks at Babygrande Records helped us get this quote from Vinnie Paz:
Stoupe and I went into Servants wanting to make a record that expanded
our sound a bit from the hardcore boom-bap rap music we've become known
for over the years. But, at the same time, we didn't want to alienate
the loyal fanbase that loves us for our uncompromising sound.
Personally, I felt like I needed to silence some of our critics who've
said that my writing had become too simple, so I wrote "Razorblade
Salvation," "Shadow Business," and "Uncommon Valor."
We're definitely happy with the record. Shara Worden of My Brightest
Diamond really added another layer to both "Razorblade Salvation" and
"When All Light Dies" with her singing, which really made those songs
more accessible without undermining their integrity. R.A. the Rugged
Man spit one of the best verses of the year on "Uncommon Valor"
detailing his dad's real life experience in Vietnam, so it was great to
see him get some shine from The Source's "Hip-Hop Quotable" section for
that one.
Creatively speaking, we made the record we wanted to make and definitely
feel this is some of our best work to date, but it has been a struggle
to sell more records in this climate. The Internet has been a
blessing and a curse for us. We released our first EP in 1996, when
the Internet was really taking off, so our music made its way around
the world thanks to the Internet. Our career was built on the word of
mouth that spread through the Internet. Unfortunately, now that we're
more established, we face an uphill battle trying to get kids to buy
our music since its readily available for free through the file sharing
sites. We definitely have one of the most loyal cult followings in
hip-hop because of the Internet, and are able to tour worldwide because
of the exposure, but it has become harder and harder each year to move units, so it's always disappointing when your numbers don't seem to match your creative evolution.
Regardless, this year has been another stepping stone for us. We feel
like our best work and our best shows are ahead of us and we thank all
of our fans for their undying support.
3.
Artist Name: McNastee
Album Title: Pieces of a Broken Man
Release Date: November 7th, 2006
Record Label: Intrinzik Records
Back When we reviewed this album my "Bottom Line" post-told of the enormous hype surrounding this album, and the constant calls from fans and writers alike to name it Album of the Year. I told you then, (Kevin Dank) that is definitely a contender, in a year full of strong music from both sides of the Industry, this album holds its own against any competitor. So I have to agree with the statement I made when first reviewing it, one of the top albums of the year, Hands Down, the subgenre of the Underground – the Wicked Underground, has a winner coming home to them!
*McNastee supplied Faygoluvers.net with this statement about the past year and his nomination:
In retrospect, 2006 was an incredible year. I started 2006 doing a show in a crowded basement and ended the year in front of near 1000 people performing in Pontiac, Michigan. The year saw the release of Pieces of a Broken Man which was received well by both critics and fans. I'm very proud of the record and feel like all the stalling, re-recording, and scrapping songs was well worth it.
I got to travel all over the country and play shows with a ton of talented artists. I'm proud to say I was able to perform on the same stage as Twiztid, the ICP, Boondox, ABK, Lavel, Shy One, Claas, Koolaide the Mann, Taitano, Dead By Wednesday, Trip C, PDA, USA, Wyckyd Psoul, Tragedy, Nukey, Virus, and so many more. Even better, I got to perform songs from the Seperated at Birth album in April with Menacide, Intrinzik, and Jason Porter in Fort Smith, AR. Everyone who booked me for a show, footed a travel bill or put me up for the night, thank you!
I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get this album together, Intrinzik, for believing in my music since we did Skizzy's show in Baltimore back in 03, Menacide, Rockwell, and Koolaide for helping me get the soundtrack together to tell my stories, Mom and Dad for your unending support. Josh, Shane, and Chris for being the three people who knew what I was capable of from the jump - You guys are more than just fans. David Blaine, your magic is real, and I believe in you.
I don't even want to think about '07 yet, I'll be hitting the stage at 12:01, january 1, 2007 in Tulsa, OK to ring in the new year just like I did last year in Arkansas. I look forward to making music and moving this machine forward. More Music, More Shows. That's the goal for '07. I hope I can share more experiences with my audience as I move into a new city and try to grow as both a person and an artist.
Again, a great deal of respect and thanks go out to everyone who helped me get my music out to the people last year. Thanks to all the fans who send me messages on myspace and those who talk to me at shows telling me how the music effects them. You've kept a dude going when I feel like I'm at my lowest point. Thanks to all the artists who've broken bread with me whether it be for production, art, or recording. Thanks to all the websites for promoting me, I'm always suprised when I see a new post regarding anything about me. So thanks FLH, Juggalonews, Nuevorevolution, horrorcore.com, Killmusick, Netenna Yo, and the countless others. Even the hard to translate Japanese sites!
I probably forgot something because I'm sick as a dog right now, but I'll remember eventually and when I do, I'll kick myself.
See you all next year, I'll be in your neck of the woods eventually. Come out to see me, and have a shot with ya boy.
McNastee
Oh yeah, watch out for the Riff-Raff. It's goin down.
4.
Artist Name: Potluck
Album Title: Welcome to Humboldt County
Release Date: November 7th, 2006
Record Label: Suburban Noize Records
Hailing from Humboldt county and already amassing quite a fan base on their own, this California Chronic Crew decided to join up with the home of smoking and spitting, Suburban Noize Records. Under the faithful guidance of Daddy X, and the rest of the Subnoize camp, this album turned out simply incredible. The album features as the song itself says, "One of the greatest collaborations of all times" with Tech N9ne on the song, What We Are, Tech N9ne's verse is not only the verse of the year, but probably the best verse of all time. Other collaborations with Jamie Madrox and Monoxide (Twiztid) on the track Your Funeral, give this album a multi-dimensional feel, from a great party/club track, to one of the deepest songs of the year, The album gives hit after hit.
*After informing the group of their spot on the list Potluck relayed this message:
It has been a great year for Potluck we have done over 150 shows, we got a new album out that has been getting a lot of attention, we have tripled our fan base. It has been going real good we want to thank all of the Dj's, magazine writers, websites for showing our new CD so much love. Also all the behind the scenes people at Sub Noize and Team Potluck for all their hard work. And last but not least all of the fans with out you there is no us.
5.
Artist Name: Sutter Kain
Album Title: August Underground
Release Date: October 31st, 2006
Record Label: Never So Deep Records
Hailing from the notoriously chaotic ,Hells Kitchen, Sutter Kain, the artist formerly known as Dj Bless made it big in 06. An already industry established artist having run ins and appearances on projects from labels such as MCA/Universal in 2001, Atlantic Records in 2003, Jive Records in 2004, and Capitol Records in 2005, He has set his eyes on a new atmosphere, the independent market. Establishing his own label Never So Deep Records and launching one of the best albums of the year in the horror market, August Underground. The album centered around his newfound style dubbed Ghetto Metal, and contained shots at a Horror Icon in his own right, and fellow New Yorker, Necro. His lyrical content is a trip into the most viciously disgusting atmosphere imaginable, but it sounds fucking great. Lines such as "Everybody put a bullet in a new born head" make the album not for the squeamish, but for the vile tested visceral of the FLH Staff we loved it, in fact we rank this one as the fifth best album of 2006.
*When we told Kain about the award he hit us off with an MP3 he wanted everyone to hear:
Click here to listen.
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