According to Ghost Wars’ MySpace page, their album is almost finished. Ghost Wars, for those caught unaware, is Arlie Carstens’ post-Juno project with Eric Fisher and a rotating cast of additional musicians. The three tracks posted are unfinished demos, but they offer considerable promise in terms of aesthetic variance and songwriting depth. I still don’t know when their album might actually be released—the fear is that this becomes my personal “follow-up to Loveless” dilemma—but any news is great news. I mention this because I’m going to list my top 20 albums of the year to this point, and if Ghost Wars were to be released up to and including December 31, 2006, everything would likely shift down one spot.

Other potential caveats include my inexplicable inability to grab the new Tungsten74 (Binaurally Yours), my baited breath for the new Pinebender album (Working Nine to Wolf), the forthcoming Life and Times EP, Mt. St. Helens’ Of Others (pending a new label; Divot folded), the next Lights Out Asia (Tanks and Recognizers), and the potential that something great comes out that I wasn’t even anticipating. This list is organized in tiers (starting with 20–15) and commentary is sparse. It’s August, so there’s a lot of listening (and purchasing) to come before December, but keep these in mind.

Isis and Aereogramme - In the Fishtank 14
Judah Johnson - Be Where I Be
Mock Orange and the Band Apart - Daniels EP
Norfolk and Western - A Gilded Age
Vetiver - To Find Me Gone

Mock Orange has been my band of the year for 2006, but that’s primarily been because of the First EP and Mind Is Not Brain, not this grab bag of a split EP. Judah Johnson resides on my new favorite label, Flameshovel, but I’m torn over whether this record shifts them toward AOR yearning (see also: Jeremy Enigk’s World Waits) or more successful songwriting.

Channels - Waiting for the Next End of the World
Hammock - The Sleepover Series Vol. 1
Radio Dept. – Pet Grief
Russian Circles - Enter
Timeout Drawer - Alone EP

Hammock’s excursion into strictly ambient music is a success, even if that means it’s less memorable than their other records. The synth-pop of the Radio Dept. is more oriented for successful singles (“The Worst Taste in Music,” “Every Time”) than consistency, but they give it a shot.

I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness - Fear Is on Our Side
Jesu - Silver EP
Mission of Burma - The Obliterati
Nina Nastasia - On Leaving
Paik – Monster of the Absolute

Paik’s album is a close second to The Orson Fader in their catalog; cutting the expanse makes it easier to digest, but eliminates some of the appeal. Jesu’s Silver EP emphasizes the shoegazing tendencies of the full-length to the absolute benefit of the material.

Chin Up Chin Up – This Harness Can’t Ride Anything
Cursive - Happy Hollow
Errors - How Clean Is Your Acid House?
Isis - In the Absence of Truth
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain

Chin Up Chin Up was a big surprise—the title track and “Water Planes in Snow” had me absolutely hooked—and as an added bonus, the vinyl comes out on Flameshovel. Errors is only available on import from Mogwai’s label, which is unfortunate because their electronic-enhanced post-rock is far more memorable than Mogwai’s Mr. Beast. I need to hear the TV on the Radio more in its “official” track order, but the songs are excellent however you arrange ’em.

In other news, I had no clue that Zach Barocas of Jawbox fame wrote a book of poetry.