Best Albums of 2006

Because I like lists and because it is the time of year when people make lists, here is my list of the best albums from 2006. They're not really in any kind of order, they just are.

Return To Cookie Mountain by TV On The Radio
A good, somewhat challenging listen, but definitely worth it...also, one of the highest energy concerts I've been to in years. And I love Kyp Malone's hair.

St. Elsewhere by Gnarls Barkley
Eight or nine months on and I still can't get "Crazy" out of my head.

The Life Pursuit by Belle & Sebastian
Maybe not their best album, but getting back to form, and in the single "Another Sunny Day," they have what is my pick for song of the year. Hands down, I listened to that song more than any other last year.

Studio One DJ's Volume 2 by Various Artists
I love these Soul Jazz Records re-releases of Studio One material. This one picks up where volume one left off...

Studio One Scorchers Volume 2 by Various Artists
See above. Substitute Scorchers for DJ's.

Awoo by The Hidden Cameras
A very catchy album from a very good Toronto band.

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
I know that this came out in 1982, but I don't care. I discovered it in '06 and have probably listened to it more times than some albums I've had since 1982.

Cansei De Ser Sexy by Cansei De Ser Sexy
You've got to like a band that starts off their debut album with a song called CSS Suxx when they are in fact the CSS in question.

Game Theory by The Roots
Perhaps the best album by one of the best hip-hop bands ever.

The Dusty Foot Philosopher by K'Naan
I'm not sure if this came out in late 2005 or early 2006, but again I don't care. Tales of growing up in post melt-down Mogadishu by this Toronto-based, Somali-born rapper, among other things. Good stuff.

Jamaica To Toronto: Soul, Funk & Reggae 1967-1974 by Various Artists
A great collection of tracks from a bunch of JA expats living in Toronto, some well known, some not known at all. Vancouver based DJ Sipreano spent 3 years compiling, researching and tracking down some of the artists and I'm glad he did. This album sheds some light on a little known part of Canadian musical history. The music itself, not surprisingly considering the title, is a smooth blend of soul, funk and reggae, often all at the same time.

Fox Confessor Brings The Flood by Neko Case
She just seems to get better with each album.

Panic When You Find It by Young & Sexy
An excellent album from an excellent Vancouver band, and hey, I used to work at a bakery with the lead singer/songwriter/guitarist.

Everything All The Time by Band Of Horses
I know I said that this wasn't in any order, but if I had have done this as a countdown, this album would be in this, the final spot. It is currently my favourite album and has been since I got it. And I think it will be for some time, at least until the new Shins album comes out at the end of this month, which I fully expect will be a mainstay of my listening for 2007 and will be on this list, should I do it again next year.