I can hardly believe it. This is the 100th post on my site. I never thought I’d make it this far. And to celebrate this special occasion, I’ve decided to do something I normally avoid at all costs: posting tracks without first writing about the artists.

The 10 songs below have dominated my speakers over the past few months. But for various reasons, I haven’t featured any of them on my site (until now, of course).

• [mp3] Peter Broderick :: And It’s Alright
• [mp3] Mark Farina :: Dream Machine (featuring Sean Hayes)
• [mp3] Lil’ Wayne :: Tie My Hands
• [mp3] Frontier Ruckus :: Dark Autumn Hour
• [mp3] Phosphorescent :: Wolves
• [mp3] William Fitzsimmons :: Find Me to Forgive
• [mp3] Spiritualized :: Sitting On Fire
• [mp3] Titus Andronicus :: No Future
• [mp3] The Gaslight Anthem :: Here’s Looking At You, Kid
• [mp3] Andrew Bird :: Take Courage

As the above track listing indicates, the mix is a little eclectic. Download all 10 songs in a zip file here. And as always, if you like any of the above songs, please support the artists!

Lupe Fiasco has terrible timing. The Cool, his follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Food & Liquor, hit shelves on December 18, 2007. Released too late to make anyone’s “Best of 2007″ list, The Cool will also fail to make similar lists next year (as it was technically released in 2007).

I doubt Mr Fiasco really cares. Those familiar with his music will probably agree. In an industry fueled by shameless self-promotion and reckless excess, Fiasco is a rogue. He frequently raps about politics, history, and social injustice.

Which doesn’t mean he can’t hang in there with the big boys. On The Cool, Fiasco spits some of his fiercest verses while, at the same time, expanding his sound and vision. On the track “Put You On Game,” Fiasco sounds downright sinister, effectively silencing those who thought he was too soft.

For the most part Fiasco’s new album works. Food & Liquor is, after all, an extremely difficult act to follow. And while The Cool isn’t as immediately engaging, it’s a solid release that cements Fiasco as one of hip hop’s brightest stars.

[mp3] Lupe Fiasco :: Put You On Game

It’s not everyday that I’m floored by a hip hop record. The last time it happened was with Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor.

But I think it may be happening again, this time with El-P’s new album I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead. Everything about this LP rocks: the lyrics are thought-provoking, the production is inventive, and the beats are infectious.

“The Overly Dramatic Truth,” despite its title, is about as honest as a hip hop song can get. It is the amazing centerpiece of a consistently excellent record. Fans of inventive underground rap will definitely enjoy this.

[mp3] El-P :: The Overly Dramatic Truth

The following albums came dangerously close to making my Top 10 list, but for reasons discussed below, didn’t quite make the cut:

Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor

Despite having Food & Liquor for only a few weeks, I’m completely obsessed. Like Clipse’s Hell Hath No Fury, there is no filler on Food & Liquor. But unlike Clipse, Lupe Fiasco seems to have a conscience. He raps about poverty, politics, skateboarding, and the state of hip hop (to name a few topics). But whatever the subject matter, the beat is always dope and the lyrics thought-provoking.

[mp3] Lupe Fiasco :: Daydreamin’
[mp3] Lupe Fiasco :: American Terrorist

CunninLynguists – A Piece of Strange

After going through most of 2006 without hearing any good hip hop, I get slammed with Clipse, Lupe Fiasco, and then CunninLynguists at the end of the year. Of the three, CunninLynguists’ A Piece of Strange features the most beautiful production. And similar to Lupe Fiasco, CunningLynguists rap about heavier subjects. I guess I identify more with someone trying to spark societal change than someone talking about how much money they pull in from pushing rock.

[mp3] CunninLynguists :: The Gates

Division Day – Beartrap Island

I was randomly browsing Amoeba a few weeks ago when I stumbled upon Division Day’s Beartrap Island in the used section. I was happy to finally find the damn thing; I’d been searching for it for the better part of the fall and winter. Unlike the original owner, I’m really digging this album. It’s consistently great and often fantastic. Give “Colorguard” a listen. I guarantee you’ll like it the first time through.

[mp3] Division Day :: Colorguard
[mp3] Division Day :: Dayenu

I apologize for the extensive delay – I think 2006 is, by now, officially over. Thank you for your patience. Without further ado, here are my 10 favorite albums of 2006:

#10 Shearwater – Palo Santo

Palo Santo is a definite grower. While Jonathan Meiburg’s haunting vocals may take a little while to get used to, they will soon become one of the main reasons you like Shearwater. And similar to the vocals, the excellent melodies only fully reveal themselves after several listens…

[mp3] Shearwater :: Nobody

#9 Beach House – Beach House

This album really came out of nowhere. At its core, Beach House is an incredibly simple project. The band consists of two members. The instrumentation rarely expands past an organ and drum machine. The songs plod along at a snail’s pace. Add to all of this some heart-wrenching lyrics and you have the perfect winter album.

[mp3] Beach House :: Apple Orchard

#8 M. Ward – Post-War

M. Ward is one of those artists who, with each new album, manages to both hone and expand his sound. Therefore, it was no surprise that Post-War kicked ass. And while it sounds different than its predecessors, it’s a typical M. Ward album through and through. In other words, more timeless, beautiful indie rock from one of the best singer-songwriters out there.

[mp3] M. Ward :: Post-War

#7 Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury

Let me first say that I do not identify with any of the lyrics on Hell Hath No Fury, which focus mainly on selling cocaine and spending ridiculous sums of money (from the sale of said cocaine). Unlike most hip-hop albums, Clipse don’t waste time on pointless skits and interludes. The twelve tracks never let up, especially if you find yourself hitting the repeat button when the wild ride ends.

[mp3] Clipse :: Hello New World

#6 Joanna Newsom – Ys

In one of the more ambitious projects of 2006, Joanna Newsom’s Ys features only 5 tracks, each of which are at least 7 minutes long. Similar to Beach House, I never thought I’d listen to, let alone enjoy, an album like this. Tracks center around Newsom’s high-pitched, squeaky warble and her harp. Despite this unconventional arrangement, I find something oddly enchanting in Newsom’s delivery. You’ll either love it or hate it.

[mp3] Joanna Newsom :: Emily

#5 The Decemberists – The Crane Wife

I must confess: I wanted to hate The Crane Wife. Much like Sufjan Stevens, the Decemberists either hit or miss the mark. While Colin Meloy’s lyrics are top-notch, the songs tend to wear thin once the story becomes familiar. Meloy’s best moments are also his most personal ones (see “I Was Meant For the Stage” from Her Majesty). Luckily, The Crane Wife hits way more than it misses, though I’m still hoping the next Decemberists’ album is a more personal affair.

[mp3] The Decemberists :: Sons & Daughters

#4 Califone – Roots & Crowns

After at least 15 listens, I’m still coming to appreciate Califone’s Roots & Crowns. It’s not a difficult listen, but you actually have to listen to it in order to absorb it. I have the bad habit of putting music on in the background and forgetting about it. And since nothing on the album grabs you immediately, I felt nothing after several listens. But like most great albums, Roots & Crowns is a grower. While the track posted below is technically not on Roots & Crowns, it’s very representative of the album’s sound.

[mp3] Califone :: Ladders

#3 The Twilight Singers – Powder Burns

This shouldn’t be too surprising of a choice – I mentioned in my previous post that Powder Burns would make my Top 10 Albums of 2006 list. And here it is. The #3 slot. There’s not too much more to say about the Twilight Singers that I haven’t said before. They are one of the most under-appreciated bands out there today. Please give them your undivided attention.

[mp3] The Twilight Singers :: Forty Dollars

#2 Grizzly Bear – Yellow House

Wow, this is a long post. I’m kinda running out of things to say and laziness is setting in. Which reminds me: Yellow House is a lazy album. Not lazy in that nothing happens, but lazy in that it doesn’t rush to get where its going. Songs develop slowly, and take several twists and turns before coming to a close. Grizzly Bear sound like a softer, mellower My Morning Jacket, which is probably why I like them so much.

[mp3] Grizzly Bear :: On a Neck, On a Spit

#1 TV On the Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain

Even before its release, Return of Cookie Mountain had album of the year written all over it. I may have mentioned in my Weekly Download post about TV On the Radio that I was digging the album. That was a few months ago but nothing has changed since then. Return to Cookie Mountain rocks. It’s the exact opposite Yellow House. Confused, angry, and disgusted, Return to Cookie Mountain is a challenging yet ultimately rewarding journey.

[mp3] TV On the Radio :: I Was a Lover

Any thoughts?