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This was one of the hardest years to rank in top albums of the year. There was so much great music and I tried to narrow it down as much as possible.
#1
Destroyer-Listening to Dan Bejar gives me great pleasure in knowing that music is not dead.
#2
TV on the Radio-If David Bowie is always jocking these guys, it’s probably for good reason.
#3
Love is All-This group sounds like they would have been opening up for Blondie/Television back in the day.
Love is All-Used Goods
#4
Bob Dylan-I’m starting to think that Bob Dylan has made the same pact w/Satan that the Rolling Stones made. Dylan is just as good as he was in the 60’s.
Bob Dylan-Workingman’s Blues 2
#5
Camera Obscura-Their music feels as though it has the old Phil Spector wall of sound.
Camera Obscura-If Looks Could Kill
#6
Joanna Newsom-This album would have been higher, but I can’t commit to listening to a 15 minute song five times….
#7
The Knife-Most over-blogged group of the year? Yes. Show most comprable to Cirque de Soleil? Yes.
#8
Mew-So what if this album was available last year overseas. It wasn’t released here till mid July 06′ and it kicks ass. You have to listen to this album from start to finish, atleast once.
#9
Sonic Youth-They pretty much created the hipster lifestyle.
#10
The Whitest Boy Alive-Most overlooked album of the year.
The Whitest Boy Alive-Burning
The Whitest Boy Alive-Golden Cage
#11
Midlake-2nd most over blogged album of the year? I dig it, even if it sounds like Lindsey Buckingham.
#12
I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness-Coolest band name ever!
ILUBICD-According to Plan
#13
Gomez-I swear if Grey’s Anatomy uses their music in another episode, there will be some heads rolling.
Gomez-Girl Shaped Drug
#14
Hot Chip-Making it ok for the kewl kids to dance in 06′
Hot Chip-Boys From School
#15
Tokyo Police Club-So what if this was an EP.
Tokyo Police Club-Citizens of Tommorow
#16
Julieta Venegas-She can play the guitar and accordion. Oh, and her voice is beautiful. Oh yeah, and she’s not to sore on the eyes either.
Julieta Venegas-Limon y Sal
#17
SoundTeam-There is something special going on in Austin, and I want to know what it is that they are putting in the LoneStar.
SOUNDteam-Afterglow Years
#18
Junior Boys-Pitchfork gave them a 9 or so. I would have put them higher, but their live show really turned me off. No heart. Great after party music though.
#19
Mana-They are the Mexican U2 and are an institution. Mandatory.
Mana-Bendita Luz
#20
Brightback Morning Light-Stoner’s delight!
Brightback Morninglight-Everybody Daylight
#21
Asobi Seksu-This album will hold me over till the next Kevin Shields album.
Asobi Seksu-New Years
#22
The Walkmen-Most overlooked album of the year.
The Walkmen-Emma,Get Me a Lemon
#23
Gnarls Barkley– The only album on this list that could claim being on three different radio stations at any given time over the Summer.
Gnarls Barkley-Smiiley Faces
#24
The Flaming Lips-Has it really been 13 years since the guys were playing the Peach Pit. My vote for coolest album cover of the year.
The Flaming Lips-Mr.Ambulance Driver
#25
The Decemberists-Is it me, or does a lot of the tunes on the album make you feel like you’re on a pirate ship about to embark on a maiden voyage?
#26
The Rapture-The guys listened to some Speaking in Tongues and did their homework.
The Rapture-Devil
#27
Brazilian Girls-Perhaps the illest show that I saw at Austin City Limits this year.
Brazilian Girls-Last Calls
#28
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead-I panned this album when it came out. Biggest mistake I made on my reviews all year. I ended becoming obsessed with the album and I went into a 4 day stretch where this is all I wanted to listen to. It became an addiction and I craved half of the time.
AYWKUBTTOD-Witches Web
AYWKUBTTOD-Eight Day Hell