paragiraffe

These are my favorite albums from 2006, which I compiled using my Last.fm account, although I’ve made a bunch of adjustments to take into account listening in the car and on my iPod. (More accurately, my Last.fm account would produce “top 10 albums listened to at work in 2006.”) So, without further ado, the albums, and some notes.

Various Albums - Old 97’s

I didn’t know a song by the Old 97’s before 2006, but Drag It Up, Fight Songs, and Satellite Rides all got considerable play this year. Over the summer I’d have cited “Oppenheimer” as my favorite Old 97’s song, but now it’s “King of All the World.”

The Crane Wife - The Decemberists

This is a kind of late entry, as I only got this album in October, but I really, really enjoy it and have subsequently gotten into The Decemberists in general.

Let Go / The Weight is a Gift - Nada Surf

I obtained both of these albums around the same time and listen to them interchangeably and often in succession. I’ve yet to tire of these.

Gold - Ryan Adams

I was fairly obsessed with this album earlier this year. Constant play.

Illinois - Sufjan Stevens

I listened to this one early in the spring, during my Chicago trip, and after my Chicago trip. Now I listen to his Christmas EPs all the time.

Black Sheep Boy - Okkervil River

This is one of the best albums you will come across from the past few years. Possibly longer. The Appendix is really good, too.

Alligator - The National

I had trouble with The National at first, but Alligator grew on me rapidly. I have raging internal debates over which song is my favorite, usually between “Friend of Mine” and “City Middle.”

Pinkerton - Weezer

I almost feel like I’m trying to make up for not fully appreciating this album back closer to when it came out. I adore this one.

Antics - Interpol

Seriously, why did no one tell me about Interpol? I’ve been ignorantly living in an Interpol-free world for too long. This album will always remind me of driving to Atlanta.

The Loon - Tapes ‘n Tapes

No surprise here. Usually I’m introduced to a band by someone I know, so in a weird way I’m kind of proud of Tapes ‘n Tapes because I “found” them by looking around the internet for new music to listen to. And kudos to the band for offering free MP3s.

---