I don’t know about you, but I generally find myself overwhelmed by year end lists. So much I haven’t heard, and experience tells that a pretty good chunk of it, I wouldn’t like. So what to make of the Largehearted Boy’s 2006 Lists Archive in which he’s keeping a running list of 2006 Best of Lists. Now I realize I don’t even have the insight to keep up with the LISTS, let alone the things listed. Kind of drives home the information overload dimension of it all. Especially now that every blogger gets to have his or her own top list. I’d like a meta-analysis of the most-repeated ones across lists. Till then I’ll stick with my trusty sources and Metacritic.

Since it’s just not information overload if I’m not doing some of the loading, here’s the list of my favorite Scandinavian records this year that I wrote for Its A Trap:

01. Hell On Wheels – The odd church (Hybris/PlayRec)
It’s catchy, it’s quirky, it’s consistently strong. And it’s interesting too.

02. Skywriter – Where both worlds never meet (Iceberg Records)
The slow ones drag a bit, but the fast songs are a sublime mix of sexy, cool, driving and restrained.

03. Consequences – s/t (BOW/Groover Recordings)
Puts the “infection” in infectious pop. I can’t stop listening to it and really don’t want to either.

04. Peter Bjorn and John – Writer’s block (V2/Wichita)
Not as good as last year’s “Falling out”, but an okay Peter Bjorn and John record is still better than most.

05. Pelle Carlberg – Everything. Now! (Labrador)
He’s thoughtful, he’s sensitive, he’s twee, but most of all he’s the perfect mix of soothing and beautiful. Frazzled nerves be gone!

06. The Phonies – Gran tourettes (Money Laundry Records)
Inconsistent record from Finland’s Phonies, but it’s best songs are exhuberant enough to carry the rest.

07. Billie the Vision & the Dancers – The world according to Pablo (self-released)
While I’m From Barcelona gets all the buzz, I prefer this. It’s kind of mellow, a little dark, sort of conceptual if you bother to figure it out, but most of all, it just sounds good.

08. David & the Citizens – Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
David Fridlund‘s a melodic genius and the music may be better than ever, but Fridlund‘s angst runs too close to whining too much of the time.

09. Starflower – Moment in the sun (Music Is My Girlfriend)
Tranquil and poppy, youthful and tuneful, it’s a gentle little debut from a band I hope will diversify its sound in releases to come.

10. The Charade – Real Life Drama (Skipping Stones)
Half of this is too sweet for me, but the rest is charming as all get out, and “September” easily wins the award for catchiest sugar pop song of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Sivert Høyem and the Volunteers – Exiles (Hektor Grammofon)
It’s not out yet and I’ve only heard 2 songs, but given his track record with Madrugada and his last solo record, it’s guaranteed a spot in my top 10 when I do get to hear the rest.

Tiger Lou – The loyal (Startracks)
It came out in 2005 but now I’ve finally heard this record. It’s got such a cool consistent vibe, such a unique sound, and I’m under it’s spell completely.