Teentoday.co.uk’s Top Albums of 2006
0 comments | Published by Rach Read |
All made our Top 11… but in what order?
It’s not been a bad-old year, has it? We’ve seen high profile comebacks, sudden reinventions and a liberal sprinkling of brand spanking new acts. So here are teentoday’s favourite albums of the year – feel free to agree, disagree or even hurl abuse at the screen – but most importantly, keep buying, listening and loving music. Happy New Year!
11. Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins – Rabbit Fur Coat
Who? Well, yes, quite. But despite the fact that I’m not entirely sure who she is and I actually own it, this album is pure class. Jenny Lewis (whoever she is) has a magical voice and sprinkles each song with love. As homely, warm and wholesome as apple pie, this unusually gorgeous album thoroughly deserves a place in your hearts.
Read our full review here
10. Lemar – The Truth About Love
Thank God for Lemar, eh? After all, where would the MOBOs be without him? Well, severely lacking a justifiable winner for all their British solo male categories is where they’d be. With his silky-smooth voice and an album stuffed full of old-school soul, Mr. Opika has failed to put a step wrong since he left Fame Academy. Yes, Fame Academy, remember that?
9. The Kooks – Inside In/Inside Out
This album has the advantage of having been out for practically the whole of 2006, hence allowing practically every song on it to seep gradually into the public consciousness. Yet the reason it has done this was not just due to the inescapable tv ads but because it’s a collection of charmingly fresh tunes. And sorry to all you Luke Pritchard haters out there, but that’s just the way it is.
8. The Fratellis – Costello Music
More energy than a seven-year old stuffed with blue Smarties, this is one of the debuts of year. Ridiculously catchy and lively tracks like Creeping Up The Backstairs and Chelsea Dagger (destined to become a nights out sing-along classic) combine with the charming acoustic highlight Whistle For The Choir to create a frenetic, frantic and fun album, with guitar riffs and catchy hooks by the busload. Frankly, it’s almost impossible to dislike anything about such an upbeat album.
7. Nerina Pallot – Fires
Underrated and overlooked in favour of blander and faker female singer-songwriters, Nerina Pallot’s album is a series of quite lovely songs. It might not make break any boundaries, but it does middle-of-the-road extremely well, with far more depth and conviction than her counterparts. With songs this radio-friendly, and, in some cases, hauntingly beautiful (Geek Love is an all-time favourite of mine), it’s a wonder and a real shame this album isn’t doing better.
6. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
Whilst those of us in the know have long realised that Amy Winehouse was an amazing and talented artist, this was the year that everyone else actually sat up and took notice too. Back To Black may have marked a slightly new direction from the witty jazz of debut Frank to a more Motown influence, but she still has spadefuls of soul and an absolutely stunning voice. This has every chance of becoming a classic, if only she can stay sober long enough.
5. Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds
If there was ever a man chosen to bring sexy back, aren’t you pleased it was Justin Timberlake? Shaking off the last vestiges of boy-band blandness (and all memories of that corkscrew perm he once sported), this album screams ‘SEX!’ very loudly. Trademark Timberlake delivery and the dirtiest basslines this side of a red-light district make for a superior Prince-esque album.
4. Jamelia – Walk With Me
Jamelia finally abandoned any pretence at R n’ B and embraced pure pop – only to be rewarded with absolutely no sales (I blame the awful album sleeve). C’est la vie, I suppose but very undeserved since Walk With Me is one of the most solid and consistent albums of the year.
Read our full review here
3. Lily Allen – Alright Still
If Lily Allen’s music wasn’t as good as it is, the gobby shtick of pop’s very own Vicky Pollard would have worn thin long ago. Instead, this album of delightfully light ditties was a breath of fresh air. Witty, original and most importantly, catchy as hell, Alright Still proved not just to be the soundtrack to the summer, but to life itself.
Read our full review here
2. The Feeling – Twelve Stops and Home
Was there a more lovely, life-affirming album this year? (In case you’re wondering, the answer’s no). The equivalent of a ray of sunshine into even the most jaded record-buyer’s heart, The Feeling have produced an album of unadulterated, unpretentious joy. Ranging from the bubbly to the beautiful, it’s certain to put a smile bigger than Christmas on your face.
1. Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape
The Stefani is back – and who else would have the chutzpah and indeed, sheer craziness to sample yodelling from The Sound of Music on a comeback single?! Wind It Up might have initially sounded like a car crash but repeated listens showed it to be an infectious stomper enhanced by a quite brilliant video (Gwen is a nun! Gwen makes curtains! Gwen sings to harajuku girls dressed as children from Sound of Music who do demented clockwork dance!). Her second album trades the excited random energy of L.A.M.B for a more mature lush Cool-esque sound but it’s quietly just as good as her debut. And that title track is the best thing I’ve heard this year.
Comments