Top 10 Albums of 2006
Well, it's the end of December and all the Best Of lists come out about now. So why the hell should I be any different. I got a lot of music this year so I figured I would share with you my Top 10 albums of the year. As is the nature of lists as such, they are very subjective, and there is no way in hell I expect anyone to agree with me at all. In fact, I had a hard time agreeing with me. The order shown here changed exactly 23,748 times and will likely change again. But to me these were the standout albums of the year. This is my opinion, and mine only. You got an opinion, leave a comment.
10. Breaking Benjamin - Phobia
Breaking Benjamin were never a band I was into, but their latest album is amazing. Some of the more melodic modern hard rock / metal that you will ever hear. A perfect example of how to use two guitars in a heavy band. Some great tracks, great lyrics, great riffs and an awesome sound. Standouts : The Diary Of Jane, Evil Angel, Here We Are
Showing that they can still be relevant, RHCP came back with their best album since Blood Sugar Sex Magik. They brought back the funky bounce and groove that I feel was severely lacking over the last few albums. Notwithstanding the fact Keidis can not sing live and the Tom Petty fiasco, this is a great album only let down by the fact it is too long, spanning over two discs. Standouts: Dani California, Hump De Bump,
21st Century, Storm In A Teacup
8. Tool - 10000 Days
Any year tool releases an album it is an automatic entry into the top 10. They just seem to do no wrong, and 10,000 Days is no exception. Brutal, dark, hypnotic, oblique, it's a typical Tool album but with more aggression than the last. And as has become tradition, the inherent plot of the album only unfolds if you listen to the songs in the reverse order. If you listen to heavy music you must own this album. Standouts: Vicarious, The Pot, Rosetta Stoned
7. John Mayer - Continuum
Bonus points for using a word with double "u" in it. Regardless, John Mayer was a revelation for me this year. Sure, we all know Body is a Wonderland, but dagnammit if this boy can't play guitar. His burning rendition of Hendrix's Bold as Love is worth the price alone. This is possibly the sexiest album of the year so next time you bring round a date pop this album in for some sure fired action. Standouts: Bold As Love, Belief, Waiting On The World To Change
6. Joe Bonamassa - You And Me
Another new find for me this year is Joe Bonamassa. This album is just amazing. Tone, technique, passion, he has it all. This is a great blues album, and this guy is leading the charge of modern blues. There is not much more to say than just listen to this album. Standouts:
High water Everywhere, I Don't Believe, Your Funeral and My Trial
5. Audioslave - Revelations
When I was younger I loved RATM, and still love Soundgarden today, but was never able to "get" Audioslave until this album. Even though Tom Morello's soloing gives me the shits he comes up with great grooves, and Chris Cornell's vocals are as strong as ever. A great rocking album only marred occasionally by the "look how clever and unconventional I am" guitar soloing. Standouts: Revelations, Broken City, Original Fire
4. Johnny Cash - America V - A Hundred Highways
Released posthumously, this is possible the most moving of all the American Recordings. On some Cash sings like it truly is his last breath, and the pain of losing his life long love in June Carter-Cash is so painfully obvious. A fitting farewell for a great artist. Standouts: God's Gonna Cut You Down, Like The 309, If You Could Read My Mind, I Came to Believe
3. Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
With a new found electronic groove Muse found a new stride with this album. With the opening single "Supermassive Black Hole" being described by some a 'sex in stereo', this album has an overall different feel from previous releases. However the sense of the grand is still pervasive throughout, especially with the standout final track "Knights of Cydonia". This has taken the place as my favourite Muse album.
Standouts: Supermassive Black Hole, Knights of Cydonia, Starlight
2. Gary Moore - Old New Ballads Blues
Without a doubt, Gary Moore is still the man. This collection of tracks once again shows how relevant and important Moore is to the blues rock genre. From slide filled tradition blues with modern attitude, to balls out rock and sweet, heart breaking melancholy, this albums covers the full spectrum of what Moore has to offer. Great guitar and great tone, and fantastic vocals make this the best Gary Moore album since 1992's "After Hours".
Standouts: I'll play The Blues For You, Midnight Blues, Ain't Nobody
1. The Panic Channel - (ONe)
Because Dave Navarro is God.
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Mmmmm, Stadium Arcadium. This was the album that really got me jazzed about playing guitar again.
Frusciante's guitar work just astounds me.
Strangely enough it's the least funky of the tunes, “Slow Cheetah,” that I love the most. That and “Strip My Mind.”
Their live show was incredible, and yeah, the only low point was that Anthony just isn't that great of a singer live, though he made up for it with pure energy
Mmmmm, Stadium Arcadium. This was the album that really got me jazzed about playing guitar again.
Frusciante’s guitar work just astounds me.
Strangely enough it’s the least funky of the tunes, “Slow Cheetah,” that I love the most. That and “Strip My Mind.”
Their live show was incredible, and yeah, the only low point was that Anthony just isn’t that great of a singer live, though he made up for it with pure energy