I had never even heard of B.A. Johnston until this past month when I learned he was coming to town. For a mere five dollars I saw him perform at Sergeant O’Flaherty’s pub with the Dazzlebrights and Richard Kreuger, and my outlook on life has improved ever since.

     After having my mind thoroughly blown by B.A. Johnston’s live performance, I could not resist buying his latest album “Call me When Old and Fat is the New Young and Sexy.” This was probably the wisest purchase I have made all year as I have been listening to the album non stop for over a week now.

     If it were not for the overwhelming barrage of homework I could make a strong case for these last few weeks being the best of my life. Not only did I get to witness the concert event of a lifetime in B.A. Johnston, but

Matt Mays

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     As The Poverty Plainsmen, this years Canadian Country Music Award’s Independent Group of the Year, took the stage, the Party Crowd was already more then Loco. What followed was a night that started out with a very modern, upbeat country feel, and by the time the main act was done, this critic was wondering if the band was confused whether they were a rock group or a classic country group.

John Tucker Must Die

     The newest play to come from Theatre North West, Powers and Gloria is a comedic take on an elderly gentleman being nursed back to life by a young mother. The funny part is that the man is a grumpy millionaire, and the woman is a single mother with a quick tongue and a love for Shania Twain.

     One of my favourite things about the end of the year is when all the critics put out their lists of the best music of the year. Aside from the stone-cold classic "St. Elsewhere" from Gnarls Barkley, 2006 didn't really see the release of any clear contenders for the top spots. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Raconteurs, and My Chemical Romance will probably be up there for the old-school rock fans, hip-hop heads will be talking Clipse, Lupe Fiasco, and the Roots, and the snootier critics will cite TV On the Radio, Muse, and Yo La Tengo. If you haven't heard these albums, go check them out, like, now. They're all great. But amidst all the hype-making and gauntlet-throwing, there are bound to be a few good albums that slip through the cracks, generally because the artists behind them are a. too old, b. too weird, or c. Canadian. So in recognition of this, I present to you 2006's best albums that no one else will recommend.