Best Albums of 2006

There were over 144 albums or EPs that I downloaded onto my iTunes this year. A rather surprising number and, indeed, packs quite a wallop on the wallet. Of those 144, here are my top 50 albums of 2006:

1.
Cat Power – The Greatest

A sober Chan Marshall creates the best album of the year. Solid from start to finish, with a true blues band accompanying each and every word. I will no longer call her Crap Power. But I will still call Blonde Redhead “Blonde Shitehead”.

2.
Mew – And the Glass Handed Kites

Listen to “Apocalpyso,” “Special” and “Zookeeper’s Boy” in order. The way each song flows from one to the other makes it one of the best consecutive tracks I’ve ever heard.

3.
Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am Not

These guys are just so much fun and full of energy. With clever lyrics to boot. “And all the weekend rock stars are in their toilets, practicing their lines.” Need I say more?

4.
The Rapture – Pieces of the People We Love

According to my iTunes, the song of the summer, “Get Myself Into It,” was played 20 times. It’s such a fun album, but gets weak after “WAYUH.”

5.
Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit

Pure indie pop at it’s finest. “Funny Little Frog” and “White Collar Boy” pay homage to the 1960’s.

6.
Girl Talk – Night Ripper

This beats anything Party Ben has ever made. Sheer brilliance in mixing. Don’t call this a mash up album.

7.
Cansei De Ser Sexy – CSS

Who would have thought that Brazilians can make such clever electro dance pop? In English nonetheless? Not me, that's for sure. “…Death from Above” drives me crazy.

8.
Love is All – Nine Times the Same Song

One of the most underrated bands that ever came out of Sweden. The horns in “Busy Doing Nothing” are just amazing.

9.
Band of Horses – Everything All the Time

A mellow album that displays strong singer/songwriter elements. “Funeral” and “Great Salt Lake” are definite classics.

10.
Beirut – Gulag Orkestar

A 20 year old from Albuquerque, New Mexico making Eastern European gypsy music. Go figure. “Postcards from Italy” is a keeper.

11.
Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out of This Country

Indie pop veterans do it again. “If Looks Could Kill” and “Lloyd I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken” are the hits.

12.
The Knife – Silent Shout

Darker sounding than Deep Cuts, The Knife is establishing itself as the premiere live electronic act of today.

13.
Mogwai– Mr. Beast

Another fine gem from these Scots. As intense as Come On Die Young but a lot shorter. It's not the length of the song, it's how you use it.

14.
Destroyer – Destroyer’s Rubies

I’m convinced that Dan Bejar and A.C. Newman are robots. They sound so similar. And, like robots, they are flawless in what they do.

15.
The Gossip – Standing in the Way of Control

Punk + R&B = The Gossip. Beth Ditto is most deserving to be on the NME Cool List this year.

16.
I’m From Barcelona – Let Me Introduce My Friends

This 20+ member indie pop outfit from Sweden has created a song that describes my trials and tribulations of waking up from Monday through Friday.

17.
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins – Rabbit Furcoat

An album so strong that Rilo Kiley better be careful.

18.
Tap Tap– Lanzafame

I still don’t think they sound like the Arcade Fire, but this album was one of the few hidden gems this year.

19.
Xiu Xiu – The Air Force

You haven’t seen a video until you see “Boy Soprano.”

20.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones

Way different than Fever to Tell. While others chided them for it, I applaud Karen O. for changing it up.

21.
Midlake – The Trials of Van Occupanther

After seeing them open up for the Flaming Lips this year, a definite must-see and must-hear band. Melodic indie rock.

22.
Shearwater – Palo Santo

Okkervil River but not as good.

23.
Tapes 'N Tapes – The Loon

One of the most overhyped bands in the blog world. They back it up with this album...sort of.

24.
Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche

Wasn’t too sure to include this since it’s mostly extras from Illinoise. But I like “Dear Mr. Supercomputer” and all the versions of “Chicago.”

25.
Annuals – Be He Me

Watch out in 2007. I think Chapel Hill will become the next Omaha.

26.
Talkdemonic – Beat Romantic

Where the hell was I when this was released? And how come I just found out about them? Brilliant.

27.
The Black Heart Procession – The Spell

Representing the 619, this band makes me proud to say that I am a native San Diegan. Otherwise, I’m from San Francisco.

28.
The Delays – You See Colours

At first, I thought this was crap. Then it grew on me. I love it.

29.
Ima Robot – Monument to the Masses

Sounds like their previous album. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

30.
The Fratellis – Costello Music

One of the few NME bands that was actually worth the hype.

31.
The Decemberists – The Crane Wife

Too repetitive. How many times do you really need to say "perfect crime"? Sounds a lot like the other albums. But it’s still good.

32.
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton – Knives Don’t Have Your Back

Beautiful piano in all of the songs. A complete and refreshing departure from Metric.

33.
Joanna Newsom – Ys

Much more polished than The Milk-Eyed Mender and some songs are just damn long. But still great.

34.
Lily Allen – Alright Still

So, shoot me if I like Lily Allen. I saw you dancing to “Smile” at Popscene fucker. Yeah, you know who you are.

35.
Lady Sovereign – Public Warning

“If you love me then, thank you! If you hate me then, fuck you!” Yeah, simple, huh? How come you couldn’t think of a chorus like that?

36.
Malajube – Trompme - L’Oeil

I never quote from Spin but I will now: Malajube is French for “rock that doesn’t suck.” Listen to “Le Crabe” full blast while you’re hitting something or someone. And then run!!!

37.
MSTRKRFT – The Looks

Even though they suck live, this album is great.

38.
Ratatat – Classics

Who would have thought that having a jaguar howling at precise moments in a song can be bloody brilliant? “Wildcat.” Pay $0.99 (or not) and download it.

39.
The Pipettes – We Are the Pipettes

It’s like Back to the Future music, but better. They are the prettiest girls you’ve ever met.

40.
Pretty Girls Make Graves – Elan Vital

Strong album. Just watch out when the lead singer chucks his guitar.

41.
The Blow – Paper Television

“Pile of Gold” is pretty addictive.

42.
Spinto Band – Nice and Nicely Done

Their version of “Oh Mandy” is a lot better than Barry Manilow’s.

43.
Morissey – Ringleader of the Tormentors

The man is a living icon and he continues to make strong albums. While the rest of the Smiths are still trying to figure themselves out.

44.
Oh No! Oh My! – Oh No! Oh My!

They suck live. But this album is pretty good.

45.
Cold War Kids– Robbers & Cowards

Boys from L.A. exhibit so much soul and energy in each of their songs. “Hang Me Up to Dry.” That’s the keeper.

46.
Elf Power – Back to the Web

Yeah, I’m behind with these Elf Power guys. If you’re longing to hear something even remotely close to Jeff Mangum’s Neutral Milk Hotel, this is your album.

47.
Sparklehorse – Dreamt of Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain

After all this time, they finally released an album. And it’s just “okay” compared to the others.

48.
Phoenix – It’s Never Been Like That

Weakest album of their discography. But still some catchy songs like “Napoleon Says.”

49.
Islands – Return to the Sea

The Unicorns? Who are the Unicorns?

50.

The Killers – Sam’s Town


Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis

OK. You must be wondering why I have two albums in number 50. It's my list and I can do whatever I want. You can give me shit for putting The Killers in my top 50. But I like “When You Were Young” and “Johnny.” And Ms. Julie S. was right when she said to me at 1am "give the KING of Britpop his rightful place in the top 50." With songs about about fat kids ("Fat Children"), dead beats ("Don't Let Him Waste Your Time") and C U Next Tuesdays ("Cunts are Still Running the World"), who am I to argue?