1. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium The Peppers’ latest double-album proves that they are one of the most amazing rock bands in the world. “Arcadium” serves as a reminder that they are definitely and have grown from the days of showing up at concerts wearing only socks (You know what I mean). Anyone who’s grown sick of “Dani California” just has to pick the CD to find 27 other great tracks.
2. Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldier One of the year’s shortest albums may have one of the longest shelf lives of all the albums produced this year. As a superstar, Jack White could do anything. But he joined forces with an indie band and brought them immediately across the world on a highly successful headlining tour.
3. Bob Dylan – Modern Times Dylan returns to the public eye for the first time in five years with “Modern Times.” The album peaked at No. 1 on various charts, including the Billboard 200. Dylan hasn’t lost his touch and if you never were a believer, here’s a great place to start.
4. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere This is the first weird successful hip-hop band to come along since Outkast. On top of the popularity of “Crazy” and “Everything,” this album was steadily acclaimed. Their stage performance changes with each show, as they constantly appear on stage in costume. Costumes have included Finding Nemo, Pulp Fiction and Back to the Future.
5. Thom Yorke – The Eraser Recently nominated for a Grammy in the Best Alternative Album category, the Radiohead front man caused a huge buzz when he randomly posted the announcement of a solo album on Radiohead’s blog. The album is mostly electronic, but retains Yorke’s signature raw vocal style.
6. The Strokes – First Impressions of Earth Any year that starts off with an album from our generation’s most notorious drunken rock band is a good year. Released on Jan. 3, “First Impressions” is packed tight with 14 long rock songs. The CD has a varied and refreshing track list, which is a big improvement from the debut “Is This It?” Starting off the CD is “You Only Live Once” and “Heart in a Cage.”
7. Belle and Sebastian – The Life Pursuit Released in February, “The Life Pursuit” can be thought of as a break through album for B’S, but it’s really not. It’s their strongest album to date as far as charts go, but Belle and Sebastian have been putting out solid records for years. Their gentle and catchy indie pop feel is unrivaled.
8. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not Arctic Monkey’s basically came out of nowhere and dominated British press with their No. 1 UK single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.” With all of their sudden success some critics viewed them as overrated, but regardless there is something interesting here.
9. Justin Timberlake – Future Sex/Love Sounds Responsible for possibly the most referenced song of the year, “Sexyback,” Timberlake’s new CD helped to define the pop music trends of 2006. Timberlake has gone from immature boy band member to a leader in the music industry.
10. Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury Following 2002’s “Lord Willin,” Clipse released this album on Nov. 28. The album is being regarded as one of the milestone rap albums of the year along with Barkley’s. The album looks back and reflects on ’90s east coast rap, while dishing out some of Clipse’s most angry lyrics.
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