10. He Is Legend, Suck out the Poison
The only good thing from the south other than Valient Thorr and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. Seriously. Heavy riffs, melodic singing, fierce screams. This one is a keeper.
9. Valient Thorr, Legend of the World
The only good thing from the south other than He Is Legend. Funny how they ended up back to back on this list. Maylene and the Sons of Disaster need to hurry the fuck up and put out the new album so they can get on here too. This is a hard charging album from dudes who have the most amazing beards. Add a dash of crazy political lyrics and you have a magic album that will keep your head banging and fist pumping.
8. Mogwai, Mr. Beast
It’s fucking Mogwai, don’t make me slap you. Buy it kids.
7. The Flaming Lips, At War With The Mystics
Someone should cut back their Lysergic doses before these fuckers turn into Polyphonic Spree. Not nearly as well put together as the past two efforts but still strong. Lots of happy melodies. I recommend getting stoned for this one.
6. The Mars Volta, Amputechture
I know I’m going to take a lot of shit since I’m a guitar player and I put TMV so far down on the list, but for fucks sake I’m over the wank here. Shred is not back, I don’t care what your stupid guitar magazines are telling you. Twenty minute guitar solos are only cool to the fucking five nerds in the front row who play guitar. Go sit in your room with that shit. Great album other than that.
5. The Bronx, The Bronx
Who needs album titles? The Bronx don’t! Their second major label effort is chock full of everything you need. Hard riffs, hard vocals about hard subjects guarantied to get your dick hard. Pick it up.
4. Sparta, Three
Just when I had lost faith in Jim Ward’s post At the Drive In effort he goes and gets the guy from Engine Down and writes what is one of the finest records to come out of the ATDI entity. Yes, I did in fact put it above Amputecture. Sue me.
3. The Format, Dog Problems
Where the fuck did these guys come from, and why can’t I stop listening to this? Sure, it’s emo as fuck, but the lyrics absolutely tear at you. Broad and sweeping instrumentation make this one of the finest albums ever, not just for 2006.
2. Cursive, Happy Hollow
The definitive 2006 concept album. If you are reading this, you probably live in the Coachella Valley, and will have some concept of small town life. Kasher’s brilliant lyrics about small towns and their inhabitants might hit a little close to home. Best when listened to with a fine whiskey. Brutal and honest, and full of horns of all things.
1. …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, So Divided
Sometime after the release of Source Tags and Codes someone must have given these guys a copy of Rubber Soul and Revolver because they think they are the fucking Beatles now, and I really can’t get upset about that. Their newest effort will not disappoint, as they blend many familiar sounds to create a solid, melodic album of catchy tunes.
