Ten Best Albums of 2006
I don't usually do these sorts of things, since everyone else in the world already seems to do so themselves, but I thought I would this year. Unlike the past couple of years, there was no clear cut best record of the year that came out in 2006. 2004 had The Arcade Fire's Funeral and 2005 had Sufjan Steven's Illinois, neither of which selection, both of which were pretty much universally hailed as number one, would get much argument from me for album of their respective years (although I personally would rank Sigur Ros's Takk ahead of Sufjan last year). Both Funeral and Illinois (and Takk) are hands down amazing records that I would probably rank in my personal top twenty albums of all time. Actually, I'd probably put Funeral and Takk in my all time top ten. 2006 produced plenty of good records, but few, if any, great ones. At least not in the classic sense - there are not many records this year that I can imagine coming back and listening to in 10 or 20 years from now. Pitchfork, who puts out an annual top 50 albums of the year column and whose opinions I generally respect (although they are a bunch of pricks - no doubt about that), decided the number one album this year is from a band called The Knife, a Swedish electronic/techno/rockish outfit who came out with an album called Silent Shout. I listened to a few songs. I don't see what's so great about it. Maybe I should give it more of a listen, but it certainly is not making my list, nor do I have any plans to buy the record. So, without a clear cut winner, I figured it would be more interesting to come out with a list myself. These rankings are obviously highly debatable, and numbers 2 through 10 could easily be reversed or interchanged. But number one is solid; no debate in my mind. So with no further ado...

The Top Ten Albums of 2006

10. Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country
Yes, their sound is heavily influenced by early Belle & Sebastian, but they are great songwriters in their own right. Great vocals and harmonies. Interesting lyrics.


9. M. Ward - Post War
Another good record from M. Ward. His albums are always very good, but never quite great. Still, good enough for the top ten this year.


8. Danielson - Ships
There was a time when I hated the Danielson Family. Too unorthodox, too weird. I'm not sure if I have just come to like that style of music, or if Danielson has become more accessible. Either way, this is a great record. Sufjan Stevens' contributions to the record really pay off.


7. Johnny Cash - American V
I don't understand why I'm not seeing this album on any top ten or top fifty lists. Classic Johnny Cash, but with a faltering, dying voice that makes the album even more powerful. I want to cry every time I hear him quiver or shake.


6. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Ballad of the Broken Seas
Ouch. Former Belle & Sebastian member Isobel makes my top ten with her latest release, but Belle & Sebastian's latest record does not. Poor Stuart, I'm sure he's crushed. A strange combination - Isobel with a former grunge rocker, but it works and this is seriously a great record. Listen to it.


5. Voxtrot - Raised by Wolves; Your Biggest Fan; Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, & Wives
Voxtrot came out with three EPs this year, Raised by Wolves being the first. I am considering all three releases as one album by including them in the top ten, as normally I would not qualify an EP for album of the year consideration. These are certainly the "happiest" songs that have made the cut (yes, I do like happy songs too, contrary to popular belief). They strike me as a combination of early Belle & Sebastian (whom I seem to be mentioning a lot) with Duran Duran.


4. Tom Waits - Brawlers, Bawlers, & Bastards
Only Tom Waits could put out an album of b-sides and other tracks that didn't make the cut of previous records and still have one of the best records of the year. Other than Dylan, he may be the best songwriter alive today.


3. Yo La Tengo - I am Not Afraid of You And I Will Beat Your Ass
The best record of their career, and they've put out some pretty good records in the past. The title alone is enough to put them in the top ten. Has there ever been a better title in the history of rock 'n roll? I don't think so.


2. Richard Buckner - Meadow
I'm not sure what it is that makes Richard Buckner so great. His style isn't terribly unique. His songwriting is, of course, excellent, but not especially original. He does write excellent lyrics and has a great voice, but there are lots of artists you could say that about. Still, his albums are incredible and don't get old. Meadow might even be his best.


1. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
A more melancholy, downbeat, 2006 version of Neutral Milk Hotel (who are arguably the greatest indie rock band of all time). Beautiful melodies. Sumptuous orchestration. Great vocals. Their influences are apparent (the aforementioned NMH), but they have a unique sound all their own, which is a statement that is harder and harder to say of any band. The fact that it is the work of a 19 year old is simply astounding. This album came out early in the year, but I still find myself listening to it frequently - a sign of a great record, especially with my diminishing attention span for new music. The best record of the year.


Honorable Mention:
Cat Power, Decemberists, Jenny Lewis, Neko Case, Belle & Sebastian, The Minders, Bob Dylan, Calexico, Sparklehorse, Joseph Arthur, Venice is Sinking, Midlake. Over the Rhine's Snow Angels would have made the top ten if not for the fact that it is a Christmas album. Margot & The Nuclear So & So's may have made the list if I had downloaded the album a few weeks ago as opposed to today.

Most Overrated:
TV on the Radio (#2 on Pitchfork's list), Joanna Newsome (#3 on Pitchfork), Destroyer (#18 on Pitchfork), Justin Timberlake (#25 on Pitchfork - although I do admit that his record is better than I would have ever thought possible - nonetheless it is a manufactured record created in some rich-ass studio, not a piece of art)

I'm sure there is some album I am forgetting, so my apologies to that band, whomsoever they may be.

By the way, the best book to come out this year, in case you were wondering, is "What is the What" by Dave Eggers. Read it.