Well, I've posted a few times in this thread, and decided it was time to put together a moster list. IMO it was a great year for music.
My Top 25 of 2006, in alphabetical order (because trying to place them would be impossible), complete with obnoxious album covers:
My Top 25 of 2006, in alphabetical order (because trying to place them would be impossible), complete with obnoxious album covers:
- Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain
It's hard to believe they could improve on Pale Folklore & The Mantle, but they did. Their ability to create an atmosphere is unparallelled. - Android Lust - Devour, Rise and Take Flight
Cold and intricate industrial/electronic music with rare female vocals... Excellent all around. - Artrosis - Con Trust
A move away from the electronic influences of their last few albums with a more aggressive attack. This is a very good album. - Emilie Autumn - Opheliac
The Victoriandustrial singer/songwriter/violinist's strongest effort yet. Clearly not for everyone, but there are some real gems here. - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Letting Go
An amazing collection of songs, and the addition of female backing vocals are welcome. Stark and haunting. - Camille - Le Fil
Wow... Just wow. - Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
I wish I could describe how this album makes me feel, but I can't. It floors me with every listen, and it just doesn't get old. - Cat Power - The Greatest
I'm not sure it tops Moon Pix, but if not it's right there. - Crooked Still - Shaken By A Low Sound
Neo-bluegrass with the welcome addition of my favorite instrument... Cello! And Aoife O'Donovan's voice... Wow. - Diablo Swing Orchestra - Butcher's Ballroom
Another album with cello, but this is some metal with very varied influences... Swing, flamenco, folk. - Doom:VS - Aeternus Vale
Slooooooooooooooow doom metal at its finest. A hell of a side project from one of the members of Draconian. - Draconian - The Burning Halo
Not as strong as Arcane Rain Fell, but the added emphasis on Lisa Johansson's vocals is a good sign for things to come. - Emily Haines and the Soft Skeletons - Knives Don't Have Your Back
Paino-based songs with vocals that get under your skin and won't go away, not that you'd want it to. A nice change of pace from the singer of Metric. - The Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia
I prefer their self-titled punk-cabaret debut, but there's no doubt that this is a strong follow up. - The Great Invisibles - You Left Me Haunted
Eerie and complex soundscapes with layers of sound you can get lost in. - Isis - In The Absence Of Truth
More experimental than previous efforts, and better for it. Post-sludge? - Lacuna Coil - Karmacode
Despite mediocre (at best) reviews, I really enjoy their foray into more accessible music. - Nelly McKay - Pretty Little Head
Well worth the wait. It's more mature than Get Away From Me, but still playful & fun. - Shannon McNally - North American Ghost Music
I don't know what to call her music, but with that voice, who cares. An amazing live set. - Murder By Death - In Bocca al Lupo
I prefer songs from their previous albums, but this is probably stronger as a whole. - Nina Nastasia - On Leaving
Stripped, almost barren soundscapes that let her voice shine. - Joanna Newsom - Ys
A huge step from The Milk-Eyed Mender (which I still can't stand), her voice, the harp & the orchestration create something magical. - Peeping Tom - S/T
Mike Patton's "pop" project. "We're Not Alone" kick's ass, and Norah Jones get naughty. - Pretty Girls Make Graves - Élan Vital
While lacking the urgent energy of The New Romance, they've gotten more adventurous and varied in their sound. - Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
A big leap from Soviet Kitsch... Not as rough around the edges with much stronger songwriting and better production.