Imperious Opinion Music Awards

Album of the Year: THE BEATLES "LOVE" If you are a Beatles fan, you must own this. If you are not a Beatles fan, you must own this! The 2nd greatest band of all time (Pink Floyd is still #1) had their music re-arranged and sometimes stripped down, into the greatest album of 2006. The additions are beautiful, and even multiple songs blended into medley's, are an interesting move. I was very skeptical of anyone toying with the Beatles, but this entire album is beautiful, engrossing, and makes these classical songs new again.

Song of the Year: GNARLS BARKLEY "CRAZY" How can it be any other song? Catchy and upbeat, this song had everyone dancing and singing along to the odd, surprise hit of 2006. Eccentric enough to be original, and it didn't get old, even with excessive airplay.

Best Song You DIDN't Hear: ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS "STICK MAGNETIC RIBBONS ON MY S.U.V." Most people don't even know the group, but Google their name and download their hilarious song, that spoofs the US attempt at patriotism, and success in Iraq. C'mon, its only $1.00

Best Punk Group/Album: RISE AGAINST "THE SUFFERER AND THE WITNESS" Even on their 5th album, Rise Against stay as important and challenging as ever. Real punk music for people with real emotions, and who enjoy thought provoking music.

Best Rock Album/Group: PEARL JAM Their self-titled 2006 album was one of their best ever! If you quit listening to Pearl Jam long ago, time to be reintroduced. Striking still, their political stances question the values of their now grown fans. The music is crisp and energizing, while the lyrics, as always, strike to the very heart of every issue. Please get this album!

Best NEW Artist: PEEPING TOM If in a year against anyone except the legendary Beatles, this would also be album of the year. Led by frontman, inspiration, all encompassing legend Mike Patton (Faith No More, Tomahawk, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, ect.), this eclectic CD is packed with a wide range of musical styles and guest stars. Truly original in a repetitive market, this album surprised critics and skeptics alike, with its catchy songs, and odd stylings.

Best Up & Comer: IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE Look out America, Immortal Technique is slowly gaining a stranglehold on our backwards country. Politically incorrect and verbally challenging at a whole new level, this rapper has NO fear whatsoever, in his quest to enlighten and educate the ignorant. He will say anything, and while doing so, deliver it in a rap style full of passion and meaning, that today's rap scene has long forgotten.

Best Indie/Unknown: MC CHRIS For the unprecedented 2nd year in a row, "Hesh" continues to fly under the radar, with brilliant hooks, and amusing tracks. His newest CD, "Dungeon Master Of The Ceremonies," is just clean fun, from a white rapper with a high pitched voice, and the ability to laugh and cry at himself. He can flow with the best of them, and make you laugh, while understanding his pain.

Best Country/Folk: GREG GAFFIN Lead singer of punk band Bad Religion, takes time off to perform on his solo album, consisting of country covers he knew as a child, and some originals that seem to originate from the dust bowl, or other hard timing desolate locations. Different than radio hit country, this music is actually good, and doesn't cause you to vomit upon hearing.

Comeback Kid Award: LEMONHEADS Where have you been Evan Dando and the gang? The Lemonheads never seemed to fit in to the "grunge," or "alternative" genres in their heyday, yet they wrote compelling music, with true to life lyrics. After what seems like a 10 year absence, they are back with a great album, of lost love, and keep on trying, values.


THE EAT SHIT AND DIE AWARDS 2006

Worst Song of the Year: Nickelback "Rock Star" Jesus, somebody kill these guys already! They put out nothing but shit, and I can't say I know anyone who actually likes their music. Who is buying this crap? Anywho, a song with a deep throated voice over, that actually mentions casadea, and pokes fun at bands that live for the cliche rock n roll lifestyle. What the lifestyle of banality and mediocrity? Ah, that would be Nickelback to a tee. Either they are just fucking with us with this dribble, or they are really, really bad people.

Worst Rock Band: My Chemical Romance Who anointed these guys kings of rock? Their music seems like it is written by an angry junior high student, about to go to class at his oh so difficult Columbine learning annex, caked in "goth" makeup and spiked jackets. Can't anyone see a fraud these days? Kill them, kill them soon.

Worst Rap/Hip Hop: Fergie/Gwen Stafanie (lady hip hop/rappers in general): Hi, we're whores. We don't care about the lyrical content (which someone else writes obviously), and we pay some faceless hack in a booth, to create our "sound" that changes with whatever MTV deems "cool." We also love to dance in string sized outfits in our video's, helping promote the standard that women can only be eye candy in the music industry. Hey little girls, become like us, because slutty sells.

Godsmack Award (for bands that release an abundance of songs that sound exactly the same): 3 Days Grace Um, ok, I've heard about six songs from these guys, and I can't tell you the difference between any of them. An impotent not yet gay teenager wrote the lyrics, supplied with repeating guitar riffs that would make Godsmack oh so proud.

The NOTHING to offer Award: Red Hot Chili Peppers They have successfully multiplied the song "Scar Tissue," into 2 albums and countless songs. Ok, we get it, people are sucked into the radio friendly, soft and squishy version of RHCP's. You've gotten money, now make something worth while.

Disappear & Die Award: Flavor Flav Public Enemy is, and always will be, one of the greatest rap groups of all time! Flav, is a useless freak show, that will not be missed if he is disposed of, like any other burrito induced bowel movement. End him, and let the embarrassment stop for the fans of Public Enemy.