Top 10 Albums of 2006
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:14 am
What are your top 10 albums of 2006? I make up a list every year for the music site I write for. Here's my top 10 with links to the bands if you want to check them out. I'd be eager to hear other people's favorites (even if you can't get to 10)!
1) Hinkley - Estate Sale
Rochester’s best indie band releases a perfect blend of sing-along, light-hearted pop and country/folk-influenced numbers for what was truly my most-listened-to album of the year. This is a tragically overlooked indie gem.
2) Saso - The Middle Ages
Taking a compositional queue from Sigur Ros and Mogwai, Saso blends moody melodicism and tragic lyrics to create one of the most sincere and beautiful albums I have yet to hear.
3) Some By Sea - On Fire! (Igloo)
A wonderful indie-pop album that can hold its own against any Death Cab release. This album is filled with gems and beautiful music from start to finish.
4) Owen - At Home with Owen
This may be the third year, at least, that Owen has had a spot on my year-end lists. Mike Kinsella has a tremendous talent for crafting lovely and melancholic pop songs with beautiful guitar work and heartfelt lyrics.
5) South - Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars
This album reminds me of the classic gifts imported from the UK. This brilliant blend of rock and shoegazey influences could never come from a US band. This was probably the album I next listened to most this year.
6) Arab Strap - The Last Romance
Less focused on the sex and sultry, Aiden Moffat and co. just keep writing better and better songs. There’s not a clunker in the Arab Strap catalog, and this is another dose of perfect laid-back slow-core-style songs.
7) Now it’s Overhead - Dark Light Daybreak
I was more surprised than anyone at how good this album is. Well indifferent to the band before, this release is nearly perfect, with atmospheric songs and pristine instrumentation.
8 ) Flaming Lips - At War with the Mystics
It took this band’s famous live show to win me over to the pure beauty and enthusiasm of the Lips’ latest album. Perhaps not as good as Yoshimi, At War has protest songs, pop songs, and truly beautiful songs.
9) Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
I’m not a die-hard Sonic Youth fan. I’ll be the first to admit this band has released some mediocre to poor albums. But there are plenty of perfect albums, and the band shows no signs of letting up with the tense, tight, and taut rock gems on Rather Ripped.
10) The Album Leaf - Into the Blue Again
Not as immediately powerful and deep as The Album Leaf’s collaboration with Sigur Ros, In a Safe Place, Into the Blue Again goes back to Jimmy LaValle’s roots of acoustic guitar and solo writing with doses of familiar lush accompaniment.
Honorable Mentions: Chad King - Well Hell, Suffering & the Hideous Thieves - Ashamed, Chin Up Chin Up - This Harness Can’t Ride Anything
1) Hinkley - Estate Sale
Rochester’s best indie band releases a perfect blend of sing-along, light-hearted pop and country/folk-influenced numbers for what was truly my most-listened-to album of the year. This is a tragically overlooked indie gem.
2) Saso - The Middle Ages
Taking a compositional queue from Sigur Ros and Mogwai, Saso blends moody melodicism and tragic lyrics to create one of the most sincere and beautiful albums I have yet to hear.
3) Some By Sea - On Fire! (Igloo)
A wonderful indie-pop album that can hold its own against any Death Cab release. This album is filled with gems and beautiful music from start to finish.
4) Owen - At Home with Owen
This may be the third year, at least, that Owen has had a spot on my year-end lists. Mike Kinsella has a tremendous talent for crafting lovely and melancholic pop songs with beautiful guitar work and heartfelt lyrics.
5) South - Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars
This album reminds me of the classic gifts imported from the UK. This brilliant blend of rock and shoegazey influences could never come from a US band. This was probably the album I next listened to most this year.
6) Arab Strap - The Last Romance
Less focused on the sex and sultry, Aiden Moffat and co. just keep writing better and better songs. There’s not a clunker in the Arab Strap catalog, and this is another dose of perfect laid-back slow-core-style songs.
7) Now it’s Overhead - Dark Light Daybreak
I was more surprised than anyone at how good this album is. Well indifferent to the band before, this release is nearly perfect, with atmospheric songs and pristine instrumentation.
8 ) Flaming Lips - At War with the Mystics
It took this band’s famous live show to win me over to the pure beauty and enthusiasm of the Lips’ latest album. Perhaps not as good as Yoshimi, At War has protest songs, pop songs, and truly beautiful songs.
9) Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
I’m not a die-hard Sonic Youth fan. I’ll be the first to admit this band has released some mediocre to poor albums. But there are plenty of perfect albums, and the band shows no signs of letting up with the tense, tight, and taut rock gems on Rather Ripped.
10) The Album Leaf - Into the Blue Again
Not as immediately powerful and deep as The Album Leaf’s collaboration with Sigur Ros, In a Safe Place, Into the Blue Again goes back to Jimmy LaValle’s roots of acoustic guitar and solo writing with doses of familiar lush accompaniment.
Honorable Mentions: Chad King - Well Hell, Suffering & the Hideous Thieves - Ashamed, Chin Up Chin Up - This Harness Can’t Ride Anything