Album of the Year 2006

1. Mogwai: Mr. Beast

•  Read the review here.  It got a 9.2 (out of 10).  And download the #1 song of the year "Friend of the Night" here on my site.

2. Sunset Rubdown: Shut Up I Am Dreaming

• I didn't post a review it appears, but let's just say it's an original, quirky, stunning debut masterpiece by one of Spencer Krug's many side projects from Wolf Parade, with a full band accompaniment of beauty.

3. Joanna Newsom: Ys

• Read the review here.  It got a 8.8 (out of 10).  Buy it at Amazon.  Makes a great Christmas present for the literate musical fan in your family.
  • Download Joanna Newsom - "Emily".mp3

4. Grandaddy: Just Like the Fambly Cat

• The final album from the erstwhile Modesto, CA indie rockers got a 7.2 (out of 10) in this review here.  Also scored two top-10 songs on my year-end list, the only band to achieve that accomplishment.

5. Yo La Tengo: I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass

• Again, no review, but I did discuss it here.  It produced the #2 song of the year, "The Story of Yo La Tango" and was a great return to form from the long-playing Hoboken, NJ trio, and a wonderful album.
  • Download Yo la Tengo - "Beanbag Chair".mp3

6. The Decemberists: The Crane Wife

• The review is here.  It got an 8.2 (out of 10), which means it should be higher than Grandaddy's album, but I don't know how exact any of my ratings are, including this list.  I think I like this one a little less now than I first did when I reviewed it, but it's still quite excellent.

7. Sufjan Stevens: The Avalanche

• No proper review, but I discuss it here.  It is the outtakes of the #1 album of 2005, and as such, comes in with an impressive top 10.  Well done, Sufjan.  Looking very much forward to a new album from you in 2007?  Buy the album here.
  • Download Sufjan Stevens - "The Avalanche".mp3

8. Built to Spill:  You in Reverse

• No review found either, but a mention of "the very strong sort-of comeback album from Built to Spill, You in Reverse, which is filled with lengthy guitar tracks harkening back to their masterpiece Perfect From Now On." 

9. The Album Leaf: Into the Blue Again

• Another stellar review (8.1 out of 10), that may have been overestimating its initial worth.  Still, "Shine" and "Into the Sea" are a couple great Album Leaf masterpieces.  It's also probably the best cover art of the year; if you click on the image to the left, you can see for yourself.

10. Okkervil River: Black Sheep Boy Appendix

• The album that started off the year with a bang - an addendum to Will Sheff's hauntingly melodic Black Sheep Boy, this collection produced the #4 song of the year, "Another Radio Song," along with year-long "workout collection" track "No Key, No Plan."  Sheff finished the year with "The President's Dead" and his Australian Tour EP collection, a combo that was good enough to net him a top 5 in artist of the year standings.  Come back next week for that countdown...

• 11.  M. Ward: Post-War

• 12.  Swan Lake: Beast Moans

• 13.  Bright Eyes: Motion Sickness

• 14.  Morrissey: Ringleader of the Tormentors

• 15.  Bright Eyes: Noise Floor (Rarities: 1998-2005)

• 16.  Tapes 'n Tapes:  The Loon

• 17.  Jason Molina:  Let Me Go, Let Me Go, Let Me Go

• 18.  Sonic Youth:  Rather Ripped

• 19.  Mogwai: Zidane Original Soundtrack

• 20.  Magnolia Electric Co.: Fading Trails