My Top 10 Albums of 2006: #1-5

Here they are: the grand champions of the music year, according to yours truly. Who will join Bloc Party (2005) and Idlewild (2004) as winners of the coveted #1 album? The answer is only a few pixels south...

1. Starky - Starky
After capturing my attention during support slots including Snow Patrol, the album proved to be my find of the year. Beginning with a driving riff, the opening track Me Michelle escalates into a riot of madness by the end of the song. From there on in, Starky control the tempo of their songs consumately, unleashing fierce arrows and heartfelt pleas alike. It's indie with enough rock (and enough bass) to keep me happy, mixing longer atmospheric songs with short, sharp, rocking tracks. There is one strange thing about it: I can't remember having the lead single (in this case, Hey Bang Bang) as my least favourite song on an album before, even if I'd still give it 7/10. Spin this album!

2. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever They Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
These guys created such a buzz, such an incredibly rabid impression, seemingly from most people's first listen. I'm not sure whether it was the punch of raw rock and/or roll frenzy as exhibited at the start of I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor or that the lyrics, recounting tales of late-night mischief, struck a chord with the party boys and girls out there. All I know is that the Arctic Monkeys sound terrific musically and that I, too, enjoy their delightfully accented phrases all album long.

3. The Fray - How To Save A Life
I immediately liked The Fray - it's pretty easy on the ear and the songwriting is terrific. In fact, I found out they were playing at the Prince of Wales just a week after I got the album, went along and had a great time! As honed and well produced as the album may be, it's good to know that it can be performed live (All At Once and Look After You particularly) and that bands like that actually do tour. The album runs the gamut of tender piano ballads to piano rock songs and they all sound very polished and very piano. It contains so many great songs that you might as well listen to the whole thing.

4. The Strokes - First Impressions Of Earth
A strong, well crafted album of rock songs that still retain that Strokes touch, even if they've broadened their sound. I love their stuff because many songs have such a brooding mood to it, like a pissed off cougar waiting to pounce. When they do pounce, the speakers explode with guitars and genuine aggression. Juicebox is a terrific example and the best damn track on the record.

5. Eskimo Joe - Black Fingernails, Red Wine
I've still been quietly lamenting the loss of quaint little indie Eskimo Joe who made Girl, one of the albums that got me interested in the Australian music scene in the first place, while still paying my dues to the efforts of the more songwriting (or dare I say it: hit) concious Eskimo Joe. This album sounds more designed for a big live arena (take Comfort You, Beating Like A Drum or the title track for example), but also designed to please the masses that'd fill that arena. While Kav can keep writing those choruses that so many of us love to sing, they'll remain a player and keep winning more fans. Simple as that.