25. The Slackers – Peculiar

Constantly labeled as a ska band, the Slackers at times actually have more in common with jazz and soul, often sounding closer to some reggae Motown group than some derivative Hepcat clone. On Peculiar, frontman Vic Ruggerio, with tracks like “International War Criminal” and “Propaganda,” has written his most politically charged songs to date, though the formula is beginning to wane a bit.

Grade: B

 

24. Sunset Rubdown – Shut Up I Am Dreaming

This album was a side project by Spencer Krugman, half of the songwriting team from Wolf Parade. Although no where near as amazing as Wolf Parade’s debut Apologies to the Queen Mary from last year, this album still fully displays Krugman’s enormous song crafting ability. Shut Up I Am Dreaming is a darkly atmospheric indie-rock album, which is at times hard to digest but nevertheless worth the effort.

Grade: B

 

23. Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards 

Orphans is technically a compilation of older, previously unreleased material plus thirty new tracks rather than a traditional follow-up LP. But who expects Tom Waits to do anything traditional? On Orphans, Waits proves he is still one of the greatest musicians recording music today. Although no one can compete with this man’s sheer raw creativity and talent, a more cohesive album of new material might have fared better.

Grade: B

 

 

22. Mission of Burma – The Obliterati

Mission of Burma pumps out their second album since reuniting in 2002 after an over twenty year hiatus. The Obliterati does not disappoint, as it was certainly one of the great rock-out albums of the year. This lo-fi post-punk album never lets up on the rock, pounding the listener with one hammering track after another. Yes, the album does start to eventually get tiring with repeated listens, but The Obliterati is still worth your time.

Grade: B

 

21. Islands – Return to the Sea

Further evidence that the best indie-rock these days comes from our Canadian neighbors, Islands consist of Nick Diamonds and J'aime Tambeur formerly of the Unicorns (though Tambeur has since parted). This debut LP, featuring guest appearances by members of Wolf Parade and the Arcade Fire, other great Canadian bands, plays like a funky and whacky Neutral Milk Hotel album. Diamonds’ voice can be a little annoying at times, but this album is still quite enjoyable.

Grade: B 

 

20. Chad VanGaalen – Skelliconnection 

While VanGaalen is not much for structure, displaying a very haphazard songwriting style, he manages to craft several great tunes in the whirlwind of randomness. His sophomore LP is a small, but mature, improvement over his debut, but still employing the same mish-mash style of rather straightforward folk songs matched with electro-indie-pop songs. It’s in no way cohesive, but it still sounds good.

Grade: B 

 

19. Josh Ritter – The Animal Years

At only 30 years-old, Josh Ritter croons like a folk veteran on his fourth LP. The Animal Years is a moving ballad heavy folk record reminiscent of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, and M. Ward. Although the album benefits greatly from producer Brian Deck’s (Modest Mouse, Iron and Wine) studio tinkering, Ritter’s lyrics come off so genuine and evocative, that one cannot help but get lost in his imagery and storytelling. 

Grade: B

 

18. Phoenix – It’s Never Been Like That

Phoenix wins the award this year for most improved follow-up album. While their last two albums were pretty much catchy dance-pop shit, they have now evolved quite nicely into catchy dance-ROCK-pop non-shit. However, that “rock” emphasis is still a bit subdued. This album sounds like a watered-down Is This It? by the Strokes… and that’s not a bad thing.

Grade: B

 

17. Cold War Kids – Robbers and Cowards

When this bluesy indie-rock band from Long Beach, California released their debut album, the music critic gods at Pitchfork Media gave it a bitterly scathing review. However, it didn’t take long for music fans to rally outside Pitchfork headquarters with… well, pitchforks. The listeners knew better; this album is awesome. Singer Nathan Willet sounds like a cross between Jeff Buckley and Jack White. The album loses some steam halfway through, but it has several astounding worthwhile tracks.

 Grade: B

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: We have since realized that our pick for the #1 album of 2006, The Loon by Tapes n’ Tapes was actually released in 2005 and re-released on a different label in 2006 …whoops… And in retrospect, Joanna Newsom’s Ys was probably the best album of 2006. Damn, we can’t be trusted for anything.