The Best Albums of 2006

Greetings, and welcome to FRL's favorite music of 2006. If you want even more info about what's playing at the FRL Studios, check out our page on Last.fm. (see also: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002) So, here we go, in reverse order:

30. The Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
Not the finest hour for the Flaming Lips, but there were still a few terrific songs on this album.
29. Peter Bjorn & John - Writer's Block
These Swedes sound like indie rock from the 60's, if there had been such a thing.
28. Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
Who doesn't love a sunset rubdown?
27. Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun
Ben Harper pulls off the double album gimmick of a loud disc and a quiet disc remarkably well.
26. Sparta - Threes
Sparta sticks to their winning mixture of dueling guitars and dueling vocals.
25. The Knife - Silent Shout
More Swedes!
24. Lily Allen - Alright, Still
A lovely pop album. Fun, light, seemingly familiar, but still has an edge.
23. The Rapture - Pieces of the People We Love
The first of two appearances on this list by producer Danger Mouse. A solid followup to Echoes.
22. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
These British kids took over the world back in January. The album still holds up well a year later.
21. The Futureheads - News and Tributes
Expect great things from this band down the road. Solid second album.
20. Built to Spill - You In Reverse
The first song, "Goin' Against Your Mind", is one of the greatest songs of the decade. Sadly, the rest of the album was a bit of a letdown.
19. Tool - 10,000 Days
Now, Tool knows how to bring it. If you don't know what "it" is by now, then Tool is not for you.
18. Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers
Jack White proves he can succeed without Meg. Is it possible he's the genius of the two?
17. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
Sounds like it was recorded in the airport bathroom, but that turns out not to be a bad thing.
16. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
Phoenix make good on their previous glimmers of light on an amazingly tight pop rock record.
15. Justin Timberlake - Future Sex / Love Sounds
In today's pop world, it just doesn't get any better than the first half of this album. (The second half -- eh.)
14. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
TV on the Radio have sacrificed the grooves for their wall of sound, but still sound like the future of rock.
13. M. Ward - Post-War
A great album for those just looking for an acoustic guitar and a hook.
12. LCD Soundsystem - 45:33
A single 45 minute song that is a cure for afternoon lethargy.
11. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
This album shows why Danger Mouse is one of the artists on the front page of this website.
10. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Sonic Youth have obviously stumbled upon the fountain of youth.
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
Is there a better frontman than Karen O right now? (That would be no.)
8. Tapes 'n Tapes - The Loon
Tapes 'n Tapes were that indie band of 2006 that came out of nowhere with a brilliant album.
7. Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam
There is nothing more to say about these guys that hasn't already been said.
6. Beck - The Information
Beck is in that zone right now where he can do no wrong. His performance on SNL this season was incredible.
5. Editors - The Back Room
One of those albums that gets into your system and you just want to listen to it every day.
4. Muse - Black Holes & Revelations
Another album that will hook you and won't let go.
3. Girl Talk - Night Ripper
Dozens of your favorite songs mashed into the party record of the year.
2. Thom Yorke - The Eraser
Thom Yorke surprised everyone this year with a solo album, and what a gift it turned out to be.
1. Beirut - The Gulag Orkestar
Who? Uh, "While it may sound like an entire Balkan orchestra playing modern songs as mournful ballads and upbeat marches, Beirut’s first album, Gulag Orkestar, is largely the work of one 20-year-old Albuquerque native, Zach Condon, and was almost completely recorded at home. Horns, violins, celli, ukuleles, mandolins, glockenspiels, drums, tambourines, congas, organs, pianos, clarinets and accordions (no guitars on this album!) all build and break the melodies under Condon’s deep-voiced crooner vocals, swaying to the Eastern European beats that sound like they’re being brought to you by a 12-member ensemble."
Yes, it's that good.