15. The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth
No one really expected much from The Strokes on their third album, with their sophomore release Room On Fire labeled as a carbon copy of their excellent debut, 2001's Is This It. While not exactly true, this was accepted as fact by critics everywhere.
With last spring's First Impressions, fans were treated to a bold departure from the gritty New York rock they were used to hearing; this was far from 'It,' apparently.
Lead singer Julian Casablancas proves that he can actually sing, and on "Juicebox" he practically screams out, "Why won't you come over here? We've got a city to love." Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. finally prove their mastery of the guitar on songs like "Heart In A Cage" and "Vision of Division," where Hammond delivers one heck of an epic solo.
While The Strokes retain some of their signature style, First Impressions is a daring album that proves that they are here to stay.
- Jo-Anne Somera
14. Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood tied with: Destroyer: Destroyer's Rubies
Cheating? Maybe. But one can't let 2006 pass by without giving credit to two albums united by two simple common threads: Both are efforts by members of the New Pornographers, and both are creative triumphs.
Case's dark, luscious folk has always offered promise, but with Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, she finally fulfills her enormous potential. With understated guitar and thoughtfully rendered lyricism, and songs that run the gamut from romance ballad to murder mystery, Case's soulful, haunted voice sustains one of 2006's most textured albums.
Meanwhile, Destroyer, side project of Daniel Bejar, presents what Bejar calls "European Blues" - a dash of orchestral stylings, Pavement and David Bowie - this time polished to a shine and blended with smart lyrics mixing everything from literary allusions to political rhetoric. Some albums beg to be listened to, and some beg to be analyzed with care and precision. Destroyer's Rubies deserves both. - Patrick Caldwell
13. TV On The Radio: Return to Cookie Mountain
TV On The Radio doesn't create sound, but rather an atmosphere for listeners on their second album and major label debut. It may be a little hard to get past lead singer Tunde Adipimbe's high-pitched vocals, but once you do, you find a gorgeous masterpiece that is as full of passion as it is the many layers of abstract sounds and sonic textures used to create the album.
This Brooklyn outfit is one of the few artists out there striving to create something distinct and, in the process, push the boundaries of music further. The album's title might be a little ridiculous, but trust me: The message is in the music.
- Praveen Ayyagari
12. Rhymefest: Blue Collar
Chicago rapper Rhymefest refuses to fit into a simple mold. Simultaneously gangsta and conscious, his album Blue Collar is a clear cut above the competition, a coherent look into the latent racism in the entertainment industry, rapper wackness and the depressing quality of everyday life - all delivered with clarity and undeniable verbal agility. With production by Kanye West, Cool and Dre, Just Blaze and Mark Ronson, there are few filler tracks and dud beats here.
Rhymefest is clearly trying to break free from Kanye's shadow (he won a Grammy for co-writing "Jesus Walks"), and Blue Collar proves that he's neither alt-rap, nor a product of the Chi-town West machine. After listening to Blue Collar, it's clear that this Chicago rapper is much much more than a catchy 'Ye beat.
- Cass 'Money' Luskin
11. The Thermals: The Body, The Blood, The Machine
Forget their old albums, The Thermals have outdone themselves 10 times over with the greatest political album of 2006. Riffing on everything from Bush to the Bible, the Thermals serve up a full course that'll scare even the coolest parents. Battling the religious right isn't easy, but the Thermals do it in just three chords.
- John Bradley
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