Top 10 Albums Of '06. Yeh Boy!
Here is my staff list for the top 10 albums of 2006. |
| 1 | | Fat Freddy's Drop
Based on a True Story
It'd be easy to miss this New Zealand dub acts debut album, but after giving it a go, it is incredibly hard to let go. With a thriving dub and reggae scene in New Zealand, Fat Freddy's Drop have raised the bar further than could be imagined, mixing in an organic pop sound with fat groovy beats that instantly attractive to all. |
| 2 |  | Gnarls Barkley
St. Elsewhere
No album in 2006 showed as much potential for the future as St. Elsewhere with its delicious fusion of pop, soul and hip-hop. Whilst not every song on the album can quite match the singles, this debut album can only be taken as a sign that the music world is still alive and kicking. |
| 3 |  | Tim Finn
Imaginary Kingdom
His brother Neil Finn might be a more recognisable name, and the bands he has contributed to may have had more international success, but Tim Finn's solo career is not one to take lightly. Imaginary Kingdom delivers pop-influenced singer and songwriter music at its best, creating a variety of sounds from up-beat and infectious to haunting and atmospheric. |
| 4 |  | J Dilla
Donuts
Some albums are easy to listen to, flowing from track to track, whilst others can be more frustrating than they are enjoyable. J-Dilla's Donuts is clearly a case of the latter, with his short sharp creations pulling their irresistable punch before fading out abruptly. Whichever way you listen to Donuts, it'll captivate and enthral in short spurts, but the moments where it does capture beauty reach heights that almost no other album in 2006 can match. |
| 5 |  | Justin Timberlake
FutureSex/LoveSounds
If anyone were to contest Gnarls Barkley for single of the year, it would have to be Justin Timberlake with his stunning single My Love. Whilst the album as a whole never quite peaks as high as it should, Timberlake still appears to be one step ahead of the pack, creating some irresistable and smartly styled songs. |
| 6 |  | Alexisonfire
Crisis
Technically and lyrically Crisis is a step down from Alexisonfire's previous two albums, yet whilst their previous works may have shown signs of pure unbridled energy, Crisis fulfills on this promise. |
| 7 |  | Jakob
Solace
Many of 2006's top albums fall short of their respective bands best work, and Jakob's Solace is no exception. Some will consider a step down from previous efforts Cale:drew and Subsets of Sets but Solace brings post rock with a touch of ambient that easily matches and exceeds their contemporaries around the world. |
| 8 |  | Joanna Newsom
Ys
It is easy to find a myriad of faults with Ys, one could rattle off reason after reason as to why Ys is overrated by some. Yet those who do ignore the magic of her twisting and spiralling tales. The lyrics create spirited and animated folk tales with her unique voice shaping each new spellbinding chapter. |
| 9 |  | Klaus Schulze
Ballett 1
Throughout his career, Klaus Schulze has often dipped his toes into the classical genre, with even his most heralded works capturing an epic operatic sound. The first of his new Ballett series sees a stronger focus on classical instrumentation, blending together his sequencers and synthesizers with violins and cellos. |
| 10 |  | Shapeshifter
Soulstice
New Zealand Drum N Bass act Shapeshifter have come a long way since Ridim Wise LP, diversifying further to the point where vocals have become a primary instrument in their arsenal. The sounds on Soulstice vary from hip hop to dub, to funk to metal, transitioning in and out of their usual deep sub-bass and breakbeat drumming. |
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