Top albums of 2006
December 5, 2006
Keith Urban “Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing”
Whereas Urban’s past albums hinted at his massive potential, “Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing” makes it clear just how talented the New Zealander, country music icon really is. “Once in a Lifetime” is possibly the best song Urban has written, but it’s the aching “I Can’t Stop Loving You” that takes this disc to the next level.
Clipse “Hell Hath No Fury”
Virginia’s Clipse represent the ugly, less-glamorous side of rap. And “Hell Hath No Fury” perfectly embodies the hip-hop duo’s violent approach. This album picks up where the group’s 2002 debut “Lord Willin'” left off.
Justin Timberlake “FutureSex/LoveSounds”
Timberlake does away with the lame bravado that smothered his “Justified” debut, and gives his listeners a surprise — brilliant, daring songs. Timberlake and producer Timbaland are a better match than JT and Cameron Diaz
My Chemical Romance “The Black Parade”
An explosive follow-up to the mega-selling “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge,” MCR ups the ante with agonizing melodies and brilliant dynamics. Gerard Way may also be the best front-man currently in rock.
Jet “Shine On”
It’s forgivable that “Shine On” shamelessly rips-off The Beatles’ “Abbey Road.” This album is proof that loud guitars and mod haircuts will triumph over horrid lyrics and a lame lead-singer any day.
Lindsey Buckingham “Under the Skin”
“Under the Skin” is as close to a “guitar hero” record as you are likely to hear from the Fleetwood Mac axe man — complete with great, ambient vocals and even better songs. Stevie who?
Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
It was a no-brainer that Knopfler would eventually record a country album. But it was genius to record it with Emmylou Harris.
The Game “Doctor’s Advocate”
The Game combines west-coast finesse with a sociopath-like ability to offend his contemporaries without even trying. “Doctor’s Advocate” should become the soundtrack for “six-fours” everywhere.
Albert Hammond Jr. “Yours to Keep”
Vivid and bittersweet, “Yours to Keep” rivals the Strokes’ best releases. The pianos and swaying vocals are an upgrade from the cheap-sounding guitars that have plagued Hammond Jr. in the past.
Mastodon “Blood Mountain”
Mastodon’s third release is an exercise in nihilism. Blunt and aggressive, “Blood Mountain” is about as sophisticated as the cavemen from those Geico commercials.
Adrian Finiak
Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Show Your Bones”
The band tried not to repeat it’s debut LP – and it succeeded. They attempted, and were quoted as saying they, tried to make good and classic songs, but not in a commercial sense. They wanted to create timeless music.
Mika Miko “CYSLABF”
This debut-album by five gals is dusty, fast and reminiscent of ’70s punk. The only thing better is the troupe’s explosive live shows.
The Evens “Get Evens”
An enjoyable sophomore album that surpasses expectations is what Ian MacKaye and Amy Farina have accomplished. 10 songs are filled with subtle vocal harmonies all recorded on a trusty 8-track.
The Mall “Emergency At the Everyday”
Throw a Casio keyboard into a distorted trio of mess, and out comes screaming carnage sparkled with dance floor flare. A dark-toned outro completes the short running album.
Blood Brothers “Young Machetes”
These guys cannot be stopped, topped or categorized. Standout elements include shout-out choruses, vivid lyrical writing and Cody Votolato’s sonic guitar work.
Dynasty Handbag “Foo Foo Yik Yik”
Electro-queen Peaches is past her ripeness and Dynasty Handbag does not need expletives and sexual innuendos to capture audiences. The New York-based multi-instrumentalist can also flawlessly cover the Stooges.
Be Your Own Pet “Be Your Own Pet”
Songs about lovers never sounded so sincere.
Imaad Wasif “Imaad Wasif”
Wasif might be the touring guitarist for the YYYs, but also enjoys playing his own repertoire. An acoustic guitar is the weapon of choice.
Mates of State “Bring It Back”
Besides being a charming couple, Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel create indie tunes of joy. Keyboards and drums are all they need.
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead “So Divided”
Not-so-noisy is the fifth full-length album created by the rockers who purposely destroy instruments.
Evan Thorne
The Hold Steady “Boys and Girls in America”
Everything about this album is cuttingly smart and brutally honest, drawing from Springsteen as much as Kerouac, and more addictive than the heroin Craig Finn’s characters love so much. The introduction of tangible melody makes this not only the Hold Steady’s best, but their most accessible as well.
Jeremy Enigk “World Waits”
No one can crescendo like Jeremy Enigk. The man has virtually defined quiet intensity since the early 1990s, and he’s still unmatched. This may be the closest to a legit pop album Enigk has ever recorded.
Brand New “The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me”
Maybe after a third sonic reinvention, Brand New can finally stop being written off as pop punkers. Even the Smiths-esque “Fight Off Your Demons” demos didn’t prepare for this.
Gnarls Barkley “St. Elsewhere”
Cliché as it is, the duo’s debut album is one of the most successful crossover albums ever. Why? The songs are just plain good. “Crazy” defined the summer of 2006, and covering the Violent Femmes might be the year’s coolest decision.
The Decemberists “The Crane Wife”
These indie rockers have finally made an album that lives up to the hype. Sprawling, hyper-literate prog-rock epics haven’t sounded this good since the 1970s. Just remember to keep your dictionary handy.
The Roots “Game Theory”
Hip hop has rarely been so blatantly socially conscious while simultaneously not being heavy-handed about it. ?uestlove and company have utterly outdone themselves.
Catfish Have “Tell Me”
Horns and gospel vocals adorn this southern-fried Midwestern trailer-park rock. George Hunter has arguably the most soulful voice in rock today, and acoustic guitars have never sounded so bracingly electrifying.
The Thermals “The Body, the Blood, the Machine”
Somehow this punk rock concept album based on the Bible is able to approach the Bible as if it were “The Lord of the Rings.” Not pretentious or preachy, just awesome.
Ben Kweller “Ben Kweller”
The messy-haired troubadour lives up to the potential he’s shown all along. These songs are whimsical and quirky, pop music for ritalin enthusiasts. Even the way he whistles the letter “S” is more endearing than annoying.
Butch Walker “The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker & the Lets Go Out Tonites”
Super-producer Butch walker consistently releases spectacular summer albums. Even when he’s trying to resuscitate a genre no one else will touch…like glam rock.
Derek Wright
The Elected “Sun, Sun, Sun”
Blake Sennet’s Rilo Kiley side-project has turned into an act that is more lush, more thought-provoking and more dynamic than anything his primary band has done. Combining quaint acoustic melodies, Sennet’s delicately wavering vocals, driving pianos and the Americana roots folk makes this the year’s most plush and layered release.
Belle & Sebastian “The Life Pursuit”
The Scottish twee-pop outfit has never been boring, and has always embraced extravagant introspection. But occasionally harkening back to Bowie-like glam helps to create a new page for these mellow veterans.
The Subways “Young For Eternity”
Dance-punk teens with emphasis on the punk, the trio understands having fun doesn’t always mean being silly, and that it’s okay to mix an acoustic guitar behind chiming power chords and smarmy shouts.
The Sounds “Dying To Say This To You”
Infectious dance rhythms are contradictory highlighted by Maja Ivarsson’s riotious snarl. She’s as happy as she is angry, and often it’s hard to tell which is which. But listen closer, and it really won’t matter.
Gnarls Barkley “St. Elsewhere”
Behind the strength of the year’s catchiest song, the DJ/vocalist duo could have released just the tune “Crazy,” and 13 tracks of silence. But instead, they included a baker’s dozen of Motown R&B over cutting-edge beats and samples.
Cities “Cities”
The vocals are ambient and nasally. The music is straight-forward and brooding. In short, the North Carolina band sounds like a mash-up of Clinic and Interpol. And during this debut, the foursome reminds us why those two band are intriguing on their own, let alone combined.
Lady Sovereign “Public Warning”
Yes, her marketing scheme is gimmicky. But if given a chance to shed details about her height, her English roots and her Jay-Z shepherding, the 20-year-old MC can flow — and well.
The Rapture “Pieces Of The People We Love”
It’s club music with live instruments. It’s the most rock’n’roll elements of electronica or the most electronic moments of rock’n’roll. Either way, the New Yorkers tapped into house underground and convinced guitar players to love it.
Lupe Fiasco “Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor”
When you’re upbringing includes skateboarding, Buddhism and the Chicago streets, you’re bound to sound eclectic. And when your professional career peers Kanye West and Common, you’re certain to embrace that randomness and skate on to brilliance.
The Kooks “Inside In/Inside Out”
This ruggedly British, garage rocking teen quartet blanketed the U.K. with a series of top singles. Their mod roots and love for both proto-punk and 1970’s troubadours creates a hybrid of thoughtful, wistful guitar rock and gruff melodies.
