I'm encouraged to listen to my iPod at my new job, which is pretty sweet. Definitely one of a few pretty great perks of working for a Web 2.0 company / company whose well-being rides on portable audio. I have a hard time listening to most music at work lately because it's sort of distracting.. but the new Califone album has been a huge exception. It's the perfect soundtrack for background listening. There are quite a few parts that are so awesome that they do distract me... but that's a good thing, I think. ***

Here's my top whatever of 2006, in no order:

* Beezewax - Who to Salute
* Beezewax - Music to the Life of the Late Olivia Mordecai
* Jon Auer - In The Year of Our Demise
* Maritime - We, the Vehicles
* Appleseed Cast - Peregrine
* Mogwai - Mr. Beast
* Lemonheads - s/t
* Califone - Roots & Crowns
* Tattle Tales - Hearts in Tune
* Islands - Return to the Sea
* Thermals - the Body, the Blood, the Machine
* Steinways - Missed the Boat
* Portastatic - Be Still Please
* AV Club - s/t --

I think there's a few I missed, if I remember 'em I'll update the list.