The (Obligatory) Best Albums of 2006

It's that time of year again, isn't it? Well, in no particular order, here's my top ten:

• Mute Math - Mute Math
• Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
• Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope
• Tokyo Police Club - A Lesson In Crime
• Hank Williams III - Straight To Hell
• Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
• The Black Angels - Passover
• Oh No! Oh My! - Oh No! Oh My!
• Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
• TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
  

If you're looking for a #1, I'd have to give it to TVOTR and/or B&S. Deal with it.

In case you're curious how they made my list, here's my slipshot, entirely subjective criteria:

• published this year (duh)
• be an original album or ep release (no remix, best of, or collection albums)
• be a solid listen through the whole album (no one or two song wonders)
• have kept itself on heavy rotation on my iPod at some point during the year (gotta love it)
• ... but still be able to relisten to it when the initial sheen wears off (staying power!).