01. TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
This album won by far, clearly beating every other record. Atmospheric, eerie and compelling is what it felt like seeing them in July this year (after a friend's forceful recommendation). At every moment they pounded their sounds with more clashing drum beats and vocals, then ending it with a crisp encore.

TV On The Radio Wolf Like Me


02. Thom Yorke - The Eraser
Radiohead's frontman side project has gone away this year in frenzied hype. Entirely of synthesized electronic material and dark lyrics, the album consists of no drums or guitar whatsoever but the sound is very simple to Yorke's ideas alone. Emotional and experimental as it gets, the album is voted by our readers as second best album of 2006.

Thom Yorke Harrowdown Hill

03. Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
The rougher and rawer side of Wolf Parade's Spencer Krug, the complexity of this album reaches its peak and remains constant throughout the end of each track. You can really notice how much effort towards the production of this album. It's clever lyrics and musical arrangements perfectly composed, certains this album to be a masterpiece in its own right.

Sunset Rubdown They Took A Vote And Said No

04. Belle And Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Stuart Murdoch still remains as one of the creative geniuses of music. Some fans may be disappointed with the lack of acoustic tracks as previous, but by the number of votes here; everyone still loves Belle And Sebastian. Looks like they are here to stay.

Belle And Sebastian The Blues Are Still Blue



05. Lily Allen - Alright, Still
Lily Allen should be crowned for everything she's done this year. Why? I have no idea. Musically her first single "Smile" shot to number one, she made a parody of 50 Cent's "Window Shopper". She bad mouthed Carl Barat (of Dirty Pretty Things/The Libertines), Luke Pritchard (of The Kooks) and Sir Geldof, calling them twats, cunts and such. But you must admit her songs are ever so catchy and funny.

Lily Allen Alfie

06. be your own PET - be your own PET
be your own PET, a bunch of privileged teenagers with known parents. This album is definetly louder and faster than their previous released singles like Damn Damn Leash, Fire Department and Extra Extra. The lyrics are demanding and make quite a stand in this album. ("I'm an independent mother fucker!"..."Give me everything and I'll brake all your limbs / And I love you so much / so you better love me!")

be your own PET Bunk Trunk Skunk

07. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
This record was released on my birthday this year and it was certainly a treat. Similar to TV On The Radio but softer and the harmonies are blissful. The sounds just float beautifully.


Grizzly Bear Knife


08. Joanna Newsom - Ys
I'd often compare Newsom's music to a Disney soundtrack, really you can notice her music would suit very well to a lush movie. There are soft moments that rise and slowly drift down, then up again. Joanna creates this magical aurora through her music. Fantastic follow up of The Milk-Eyed Mender.

Joanna Newsom Emily


09. Tapes 'N Tapes - The Loon
I'm guessing majority of Australian bloggers had voted for this after seeing Tapes 'N Tapes earlier this month. Re-released in July by XL Recordings, The Loon is the debut record for this Minnesota band. The energy in performance of this band live is incredibly riveting, especially in the track "Insistor" with just the bass and drums acting on part of the sounds of a heart beat back and forth.

Tapes 'N Tapes Manitoba

10. Ratatat - Classics
I'm not sure how to explain Classics. I really didn't think this would make it into the list. Guitar solos over synthesizers and on top of that hip hop influences. It's quite repetitive; rock, hip hop, electronic? I'm not sure what it is.

Ratatat Lex



11. Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope
Regina's sound has some what progressed over the past albums. It still remains that sort of raw sound of just her vocals and piano but with a few additions to create more of a pop feel rather than a classical ensemble. She's quirky; she's Regina Spektor. However, I really miss that drumstick tapping on the chair.

Regina Spektor Fildelity


12. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Gnarls Barkley literally came out of nowhere and released the track "Crazy" which everyone either loved it or hated it. Soulful psychedelia? I really don't know what to say. Hypnotic, I'd think so.


Gnarls Barkley Smiley Faces


13. Peter Bjorn And John - Writer's Block
With the help from producer Yttling, who's worked with other famous Swedish bands such as Shout Out Louds and The Concretes, it's certainly helped this album to be a fine record. Perfect catchy summer soundtrack.

Peter Bjorn And John Let's Call It Off



14. Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds
What a title for a record huh? The record is an ode to Dungeons And Dragons; comprises of elegantly eloquent classical pieces of string instruments. This is the second album from violin player Owen Pallett, who's worked with bands such as The Arcade Fire and The Hidden Cameras. Compared to the album "Has A Good Home", this is contains more substance and edgier effect.

Finaly Fantasy Many Lives For 49 MP

15. Cat Power - The Greatest
Most albums released in January tend to be forgotten, but by the looks of it not for Chan Marshall. The sounds on this record are smoother than ever, her vocals compliment each track to make them seem sultry in a way.

Cat Power Living Proof