Albums of 2006
The records from 2006 that made our lists.
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1Ashes Against the GrainAgalloch
Ashes Against the Grain
An atmospheric, post-metal-tinged peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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2Back to BlackAmy Winehouse
Back to Black
A modern soul classic that fused 1960s girl-group sound with brutally honest, contemporary lyrics, produced with Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi. Winehouse's voice carries genuine ache throughout. Brief, perfect and bittersweet in hindsight.
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3Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm NotArctic Monkeys
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
A whip-smart, fast-selling debut of witty Sheffield character sketches and taut guitars. Sharp and vital. A defining 2000s British record.
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4BurialBurial
Burial
A ghostly, rain-soaked dubstep debut of nocturnal London. Atmospheric and influential. A genre landmark.
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5Hell Hath No FuryClipse
Hell Hath No Fury
A stark, brilliant coke-rap peak over the Neptunes' minimal beats. Sharp and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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6Somewhere Along the HighwayCult of Luna
Somewhere Along the Highway
A vast, atmospheric post-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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7St. ElsewhereGnarls Barkley
St. Elsewhere
A quirky, soulful pop-soul record, home to the inescapable 'Crazy'. Inventive and fun. A 2000s landmark.
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8The WarningHot Chip
The Warning
A witty, melodic synth-pop peak, home to 'Over and Over'. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.
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9DonutsJ Dilla
Donuts
An instrumental masterpiece of chopped soul loops, made as the producer was dying. Warm, witty and deeply moving. A beat-tape that became sacred text.
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10YsJoanna Newsom
Ys
An ambitious, orchestral harp-and-voice song-cycle of literary depth. Singular and acclaimed. A bold masterpiece.
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11FutureSex/LoveSoundsJustin Timberlake
FutureSex/LoveSounds
A sleek, Timbaland-produced peak of dancefloor R&B-pop, from 'SexyBack' on. Inventive and huge. His defining record.
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12SacramentLamb of God
Sacrament
A ferocious, Grammy-nominated modern-metal peak. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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13Lupe Fiasco's Food & LiquorLupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
A sharp, conscious debut of literate craft. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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14Blood MountainMastodon
Blood Mountain
A dense, progressive-sludge concept peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A creative high.
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15The Crane WifeThe Decemberists
The Crane Wife
An ambitious, literate indie-folk peak of storytelling. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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16Sam's TownThe Killers
Sam's Town
A grandiose, Springsteen-indebted second album of heartland anthems. Ambitious and big. A fan favourite.
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17First Impressions of EarthThe Strokes
First Impressions of Earth
A denser, more ambitious third album. Bold and varied. A divisive record.