2006 Top Albums

[1/1/07] The final list appears below. Keep in mind these are the majority of albums that I purchased in 2006 ranked according to a very subjective set of criteria. I did, however, check iTunes and my last.fm account to see what albums I had actually listened to the most. That investigation played a factor in the rankings somewhat. I was actually surprised to see that I had listened to some albums more than others. Still, the final ranking is 99% my tastes. Oh, by the way, thanks for your suggestions in the comments. I have checked out a few of the artists recommended. Some I like; others, not so much; none were so awesome that I went out and purchased them so they could make it on the list. About the list, let me say that the top three albums were easy to pick. These three stand out. There are days when I actually crave them. From there the crave level decreases. But, there is not an album on here that I would not recommend. I added a couple of albums to round off the list to 40 (kind of like Casey Kasem [spelling?]). Lastly, none of this would be possible without eMusic.

[12/21/06] My eMusic account renewed yesterday. I downloaded the following albums, all of which I have tentatively placed in the list below. I've got 10 more days of listening before I finalize the top albums list. I must say, this month was one of the best eMusic month's in a while. They are all great albums after the first 3-4 listens.

These Friends of Mine - Rosie Thomas
We, The Vehicles - Maritime
Young Galaxy - Swing Your Heartache EP
[NB: I also downloaded Nightsongs by the Stars, but it is several years old and therefore does not qualify for the list. Still, it is a great album!]

Also, a few days ago I spent some of an iTunes gift card on The Letting Go - Bonnie "Prince" Billy. It will definitely make the list.

[12/14/06] I get a gift card from work for Target every year at Christmas. I decided to use some of the money to get a few CDs that I will never find on eMusic. Last night I purchased Beck and India.Arie. These two are sort of mainstays in our collection. I've only listened a couple of time, but I can safely place them in the list. They may eventually move up.

[12/11/06] I have only one more buying cycle with eMusic for the year 2006. Unless I find an album that knocks my socks off in the 11 days I will have to listen to it this year, the following are my favorite albums that had release dates in 2006. Which albums do you think should move up or down? Which albums am I missing? Give me some feedback and I will finalize the list by the end of the year.

1. The Eraser - Thom Yorke
2. Say I Am You - The Weepies
3. Bodies and Minds - Great Lake Swimmers
4. Lunatico - Gotan Project
5. How We Operate - Gomez
6. Subtitulo - Josh Rouse
7. The Mating Game - Bitter:Sweet
8. Let's Get Out of This Country - Camera Obscura
9. The Greatest - Cat Power
10. St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley
11. The Garden - Zero 7
12. Under The Iron Sea - Keane
13. Time Without Consequences - Alexi Murdoch
14. Eye To The Telescope - KT Tunstall
15. El Perro Del Mar - El Perro Del Mar
16. These Friends of Mine - Rosie Thomas
17. The Information - Beck
18. Dreams - The Whitest Boy Alive
19. Somewhere In The City - Tobias Froberg
20. Fox Confessor Brings the Flood - Neko Case
21. Swamp EP - Midwest Product
22. Night Ripper - Girl Talk
    
23. Broken Boy Soldiers - Raconteurs
24. We, The Vehicles - Maritime
25. Brightblack Morning Light - Brightblack Morning Light
26. Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship - India.Arie
27. The Letting Go - Bonnie "Prince" Billy
28. It's Never Been Like That - Phoenix
29. Surprise - Paul Simon
30. The Avalanche - Sufjan Stevens
31. Songs For Christmas - Sufjan Stevens
32. Sun, Sun, Sun - The Elected
33. Rabbit Fur Coat - Jenny Lewis w/ the Watson Twins
34. Funnel Cloud - Hem
35. Young Galaxy - Swing Your Heartache EP
36. Afro Strut - Amp Fiddler
37. Paper Television - The Blow
    
38. For Lovers, Dreamers & Me - Alice Smith
39. Occult Hymn - Danger Doom
40. Movable Things - Distance Fighters