Top 50

50. LOU BARLOW
Emoh
At one time I was convinced this was the album of the year, and I am not ashamed to admit I was very wrong. Still, "Emoh" is a solid album, mostly due to Lou Barlow's talent as a singer and songwriter. So what happened to change my opinion? I just realized that the album was in need of a bit more variation. Simple as that. (Dan)

49. K'NAAN
The Dusty Foot Philosopher
Much props to K'naan, who manages to mix up politics, hip-hop, world music influences, and shiny production courtesy of Track and Field without sounding twee or contrived. Or strident, for that matter. He mixes rap, singing and spoken word and makes his history and message completely accessible. He doesn't dumb it down there -- there's history lessons in here, as well as social commentary that might be taken to heart given the news of the week in Toronto. To top it all off, K'naan''s got street cred 50 Cent would, uh, kill for. (terri)

48. THE HOLD STEADY
Separation Sunday
Well I would have never thought this would have cracked the top 50 albums on this website, I mean I know that I ranked it but it wasn't that high, so someone else had to help me out with this. This album is totally chill in the same kind of way that Cake is, but they harbor a bit more of an edge. I don't know that I like them more than Cake, but I don't know how much I Cake, so lets just say the verdict on that one is to be continued. Whenever you want to unwind an album like this can always be a good listen. This album is not on my computer at the moment but I will get it back because my new computer has given me the opportunity to collect as many albums and pornos as I want. (Brandon)

47. SETH LAKEMAN
Kitty Jay
Supposedly Nickel Creek made the album that abolished the gap between pop/rock and bluegrass. They tried, certainly, and achieved good success in doing so. But the album (Why Should The Fire Die?) pales in comparison to Lakeman's sophomore effort. Made in his own bedroom for £300, Kitty Jay became the album that made everybody stand up and say "who?" when the Mercury Music Prize nominations were announced. Even with this publicity, Lakeman's album isn't in any major record shops. This is the biggest crime of 2006. Maybe it just needs more publicity. Like this. (Ronan)

46. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
Feels
"Sung Tongs" was my gateway into the world of Animal Collective. I adore that album. "Feels" didn't affect me the same way. Don't get me wrong, this is still an excellent and creative album that most Animal Collective fans will relish. To me, knowing how much Cam and I wanted this album to be great being ranked 46th is more than a mild disappointment.

45. DEVENDRA BANHART
Cripple Crow
Part of the appeal of Cripple Crow is Devendra's ever fluctuating state of mind. Whether he prefers the headspace of a child (I feel Just like a child, Hows about tellin us a story), young hipster (Long Haired Child, Chinese Children), spanish boy (Luna de Margartia, Santa Maria de Feira), old wise grandpa (Heard somebody say, Queen Bee) or schizofrenic pedophile prostitute (Little Boys). When I put this album on I know I'm going to have a relaxing, fun and introspective experience. For people who like folk (like me) it's a must listen. (Cam)

44. THE DROPKICK MURPHYS
The Warrior's Code
Celtic or Scottish or whatever the hell type of punk this is, its fucking badass. I never really thought that I could get into this type of punk but what whatever reason The Dropkick Murphies are a band thats huge energy and sea shanty tunes rip up a whole disc. Some stranger instruments are mixed into the songs, flutes, bagpipes, and other horns that I can't tell apart. However a lot of these songs boil down to the fact that they sound like the whole band sings the whole song, which is kind of a neat concept, I know that they have a lead singer but they use a lot of background vocals on several songs. This is the band that remixed Tessie for the Boston Red Sox, which is a way old song that is aparently the Bo Sox theme song, its a totally bad song, and even the Dropkicks can't seem to fix it. (Brandon)

43. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Devils & Dust
Bruce's career works in a distinct way – every rock album is followed by a rootsier folk album. This is definitely the case with Devils & Dust, the acoustic follow-up to September 11 reaction album The Rising. Where The Rising was rocky, Devils & Dust is folky; where The Rising was good, Devils & Dust is magnificent. From the rousing title-track to "Springsteen in Sex-Shocker" 'Reno', Devils & Dust harks back to one of Bruce's career bests: Nebraska. But this is Nebraska for the modern generation (thus the sex references), and proof that the Boss still lives up to his nickname. (Ronan)

42. QUASIMOTO
The Further Adventures Of Lord Quas
Grab your favourite bong, pack that shit up nice and tight, lean back and take a mammoth size hit. Repeat this process 9 or 10 times and then commence this saga. That is my advice for Quasimoto. With over 25 songs coming at you for less than 2 minutes at a time this music works on the same principle as punk music. Which likely has appeal to a lot of the stoners with short attention spans who listen to it. Be it Madvillainy, Madlib on his own, or as Lord Quas, Madlib is the hip-hop equivalent to somebody like Beck. (Dan)

41. NADA SURF
The Weight Is A Gift
I'll get it out of the way, yes this is the same band whom had the song "Popular" when you were in highschool and yes they were good even then. However, they were never as great as they are on this album. A much more mature, and confident sound. Nada Surf kinda does what Jimmy Eat World can do at their finest without ending up sounding annoying. Is this emo? Is it rock? Is it pop/punk? Well… basically it is the best elements of all three which is good because two out of those three genres I normally don't care for. Maybe the catchiest album of the year. (Dan)