my dozen favorite albums from 2006
No Grammy predictions on my part this year (I haven’t been doing well in the predictions department recently). But I’ve been working on this post on and off for the past couple weeks hoping to get it posted before the Grammys. So with the awards ceremony only a couple hours away, here are my favorite albums of 2006.
In alphabetical order by artist:
The Information – Beck — Beck shelved this album for a while in 2004-05 to record and release Guero, then returned to (and re-mixed/re-recorded a lot of) The Information. Described by some as “quasi hip-hop,” it’s got all the fantastic hooks and weird experimentation one would expect from a Beck album. The cover art for the album (LP and CD) showed only Beck’s name and was otherwise blank, but came with sheets of stickers so you could make your own album cover. The cover art here is what you got if you bought the album through iTunes.
My favorite cut: “Think I’m In Love”
Interesting tidbit: Beck’s first single, independently released in 1993, was titled “MTV Makes Me Want To Smoke Crack.”
Modern Times – Bob Dylan — Starting with 1997’s Time Out Of Mind, through 2001’s Love and Theft, and now in 2006 with Modern Times, Bob Dylan has arguably put together the best 3-album arc of his career. It’s fairly pointless to use superlatives when describing Dylan. He has nothing left to prove, and yet he produces an album that plays like an effortless masterpiece.
My favorite cut: “Rollin’ and Tumblin’”
Interesting tidbit: Modern Times was self-produced by Dylan under the pseudonym Jack Frost.
St. Elsewhere – Gnarls Barkley — The first album from a collaboration between JD/producer Danger Mouse and musician/vocalist Cee-Lo was one of the biggest hits of the year with one of the most distinctive breakout tracks in recent memory: “Crazy.” Another standout track is the fantastic cover of the Violent Femme’s “Gone Daddy Gone.”
My favorite cut other than ‘Crazy’: “Who Cares?”
Interesting tidbit: As crazy popular as “Crazy” was, it never hit #1 — the song spent 7 consecutive weeks at #2 on the charts behind Nelly Furtado’s massively-popular “Promiscuous.”
Last Man Standing – Jerry Lee Lewis — Lewis, one of rock and roll’s original bad boys and first-year inductee into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, returns at the age 71 with his first record in over 15 years. It’s a collection of covers, many performed with the original artists — a veritable parade of fellow Hall of Famers. “Rock and Roll” with Jimmy Page, “Trouble in Mind” with Eric Clapton, “Travelin’ Band” with John Fogerty … you get the idea. Given Lewis’ history with his notoriously underage bride, the inclusion here of “Sweet Little Sixteen” with Ringo Starr will produce a grin or a cringe, depending on your point of view.
My favorite cut: “Pink Cadillac” with Bruce Springsteen
Interesting tidbit: The album included 1 of 10 different bonus tracks, depending on where you bought the album. Five other tracks recorded but not released included “Roll Over Beethoven” with Ringo Starr, Ivan Neville, and Nils Lofgren.
Ringleader of the Tormentors – Morrissey — The follow-up to Morrissey’s 2004’s “comeback” album (You Are The Quarry) is not as urgent and raw as it’s predecessor, which turned some fans off. And while I’ll agree it’s not as strong a set as Quarry, it’s a solid album nonetheless. It debuted at #1 on the UK charts, and of course never even made it into the Top 20 in the US.
My favorite cut: “You Have Killed Me”
Interesting tidbit: On “Dear God Please Help Me” Morrissey uses a string arrangement by fellow Rome resident Ennio Morricone, who later this month will become only the second composer in history to be honored with the Oscar for Lifetime Achievement.
How To Get Everything You Ever Wanted In Ten Easy Steps – Ordinary Boys — This is the third album (and best so far) from the English faux-Mod pop band. It’s rollicking fun … think Franz Ferdinand crossed with the Stray Cats, in a package that’s a super cute boy band channeling The Smiths.
My favorite cut: Tough call — “Lonely At The Top” edges “Who’s That Boy”
Interesting tidbit: Lead singer (Samuel) Preston was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother and is also a descendent of former British prime miniter Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey.
Fundamental – Pet Shop Boys — Here’s the sad truth of the US music marketplace: this album peaked on the Billboard 200 chart at #150. This is one of the best, if not THE best, album of the year. It peaked at #5 in the UK. Looking at the rest of my list, maybe I should just move to London — I’d clearly enjoy the music scene. In any case, this album has not a dud to be found, and some outstanding tracks including “I’m With Stupid,” “Numb,” and “The Sodom and Gomorrah Show.”
My favorite cut: “Integral”
Interesting tidbit: The album is dedicated to two Iranian teenagers who were hanged for being gay.
Highway Companion – Tom Petty — Tom Petty is without the Heartbreakers for his third official solo album (after Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers). The album feels both lush and stripped down. It’s consistently good across the board, with “Saving Grace” an instant Petty classic.
My favorite cut: “Saving Grace” – one of the year’s best songs
Interesting tidbit: The album was produced by fellow Traveling Wilbury and legendary Electric Light Orchestra front man Jeff Lynne, who also produced Petty’s first solo album, the awesome Full Moon Fever.
Stadium Arcadium – Red Hot Chili Peppers. A sprawling 28-song double album full of Chili Pepper’s signature funk, intricate riffs, and driving rhythms. It reportedly started out as a 38-song set that was scheduled over 3 albums in quick succession(!). Probably the band’s best and tightest album since Blood Sugar Sex Magik.
My favorite cut: “Snow ((Hey Oh))”
Interesting tidbit: The band was originally called Tony Flow and the Miraculous Masters of Mayhem. I’m glad they changed the name.
Futuresex/Lovesounds – Justin Timberlake — I’d say Justin Timberlake has fully outgrown his boy band image. This is self-assured, sexy, provocative, and damn-near irresistible pop/dance album. Life’s rough when you’re the new king of pop and you dump Cameron Diaz for Scarlett Johanson. Justin’s so naughty I think I need to spank him.
My favorite cut: “Lovestoned”
Interesting tidbit: Futuresex/Lovesounds producer Timbaland reportedly produced 3 songs recorded by Duran Duran in NYC last fall, and one of those 3 songs is a Duran Duran duet with Justin Timberlake.
Return to Cookie Mountain – TV On The Radio — A fascinating album that, I suspect, tends to elicit strong reactions — you’ll either love it or hate it. It’s the first major-label release (and second full-length album overall) for the NYC-based avant garge indie rock bank.
My favorite cut: “Wolf Like Me”
Interesting tidbit: David Bowie (a big fan of the group) adds background vocals on the song “Province.”
Rudebox – Robbie Williams — I reviewed Rudebox here on the blog last November. And bitched and complained because he doesn’t get the respect (and following) in the US that he deserves. No hesitation in including Rudebox on this list.
My favorite cut: “Good Doctor”
Interesting tidbit: Lily Allen, whose new album Alright, Still is getting a lot of good buzz, sings background vocals here on “Bongo Bong and Je Ne T’aime Plus” and “Keep On.”
Because I had a hard time cutting the list off at a dozen, here are another half-dozen that just missed the cut:
- Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not – Arctic Monkeys (great album, a little tired of all the hype);
- Taking The Long Way – Dixie Chicks (I think this will win best album Grammy, mostly because of politics rather than the music);
- The Captain and the Kid – Elton John (surprisingly strong effort, some of the best stuff he and Taupin have done in 20 years);
- Soundtrack – The U.S. vs. John Lennon (a great collection … kind of like a greatest hits of all the songs that don’t usually make it onto a John Lennon greatest hits);
- Continuum – John Mayer (I think this Mayer kid’s got a great future ahead of him);
- Broken Boy Soldiers – The Raconteurs (Jack White and friends rock out).
Finally, getting a head start on next year, here’s what I’m currently enjoying:
- A Weekend In The City – Bloc Party
- Wincing The Night Away – The Shins
- Life In Cartoon Motion – Mika
- and my now mostly-restored Beatles and John Lennon catalogs
Beck, Bob Dylan, and MJ Blige are some of my faves this yr, I have to listen to more from ths list thanks for posting it.
I assume all of these albums are on your iPod and we can listen to them in the Keys? Only a week away for Judy and me!!!!!
i’m a total robbie fanatic… but just can’t seem to find the groove in rudebox, except for lovelight.
it still doesn’t make him less hot.