Albums of the Year

2006 was another great year for music. Here are the top 20 albums I purchased (or downloaded) of the year:

20. The Mars Volta, Amputechture
What used to be my favorite band of all-time has regressed to be releasing my 20th favorite album of the year. I think that says it all right there.

19. The Strokes, First Impressions of Earth
No longer the "It Band," the Strokes still are capable of creating good music, minus the buzz.

18. Mates of State, Bring It Back
Energetic synth-pop from the happy couple.

17. Thom Yorke, The Eraser
Not phenomenal, but still a solid effort.

16. Destroyer, Destroyer's Rubies
I liked them better when they were with the New Pornographers. But I still liked this album.

15. Islands, Return to the Sea
A truly hit-or-miss record that has a few misses, they make the list due to the sheer genius of songs like "Rough Gem," and "Where There's a Wheel There's a Whalebone." One of the more versatile albums out there.

14. Band of Horses, Everything All the Time
A solid listen that only gets better with multiple plays, this ethereal album is sure to cheer up even the most depressed Conor Oberst fan.

13. Built to Spill, You In Reverse
A must for any indie rock fan, Built to Spill are at their best (which is saying a lot) on this record.

12. Tenacious D, The Pick of Destiny Soundtrack
The hilarious, power-packed half hour of entertainment that you would come to expect from the D. The movie may have flopped at the box office, but the soundtrack is phenomenal.

11. Sufjan Stevens, The Avalanche
With this release of b-sides to the widely acclaimed "Illinoise," Sufjan has proven that his table scraps are better than most artists' main courses.

10. The Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I Am, I'm Not
Probably not worthy of all the buzz and hype flying across the pond, they nonetheless crafted a dynamic debut album. They win the award for "The Strokes of 2006."

9. The Pippettes, We Are the Pipettes
A fun band that hearkens back to a time before most of us were born, you will not be disappointed by the catchy tunes coming out of this CD (or the jukebox, as would seem more appropriate).

8. The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
A slight departure from the genius of Picaresque, The Crane Wife is nevertheless a great listen, and a good album to own if you wish to bolster your indie rock cred. Bonus points for their appearance on The Colbert Report in a rock-off with Peter Frampton.

7. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Show Your Bones
Karen O at her best, as a screeching, passionate, sexy frontwoman for this uber-chic New York outfit. No pretentious album list would be complete without The YYY's.

6. Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam
Their best album in a long time, this self-titled release reminded everyone why they had been such huge Pearl Jam fans during the first Clinton Administration.

5. Jenny Lewis With The Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat
Jenny steps out of the shadows of her Rilo Kiley bandmates with this this sensational album that features country influences, rock sensibilities, and a lot of soul.

4. The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
Jack White proved that he could make good music in a more traditional format, and exposed a wider audience to the talents of Brendan Benson.

3. I'm From Barcelona, Let Me Introduce You To My Friends
Ironically titled band (they're actually from Sweden, not Catalan) finds their groove as a pop-rock powerhouse with catchy tunes even the Pipettes can't match.

2. The Hold Steady, Boys and Girls in America
I admittedly have only discovered this band very recently, but they have already jumped into my favorites pile, with a sound reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen. If there was a music category for "disgruntled classic suburban rock" they would occupy that shelf.

1. The Killers, Sam's Town
I did not see this one on many of the top albums lists, but it is too good to pass up. Every bit as good as their seminal debut, replete with more energy. Don't you dare mention the phrase "Sophomore Slump" in their presence.