2006 was a good year for rock music in general. A lot of big bands returned with their latest and most managed to do more than a decent job. Tool busted out 10, 000 Days after what seemed like an eternity and sold 550k copies in the first week. Pearl Jam returned with their self-titled 8th album to positive reviews. I also managed to go watch 3 concerts for a good first concert year. But there were some notable absentees as well. Metallica’s new record and Linkin Park’s new album were pushed into 2007 as the bands asked for more time. That actually makes for an even more interesting 2007. I’m also expecting the new Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater albums and accompanying tours this year! Radiohead might release their next album in 2007 as well. Travis’ long overdue 5th album should be out sometime soon since they’re almost done mixing it. But enough of my blabbering. Let’s get to my top 5.
Please remember that this list is made up of albums that came out in 2006 and those that I listened to. Don’t come crying to me about a certain album you think should be up here. I can’t put something here that I haven’t listened to myself.

5. Sam Roberts - Chemical City
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

Yep. Two albums on #5. Both indie I might add. Very different from what I usually listen to but both very good nonetheless. I can credit Mr. Stephen Colbert for making me listen to The Decemberists even though I’d heard of them as a good band well before he challenged them to a guitar-off. And The Onion can claim credit for introducing me to Sam Roberts. Both bands feature good guitar work and very different vocals. Production styles are very different from the other albums listed here. But I would still encourage people to go out and listen to these bands - they’re very good.

Song Suggestions:
Sam Roberts - The Gate, Bridge to Nowhere, Mystified Heavy, With a Bullet
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 3, The Island: Come and See, The Perfect Crime No.2, O Valencia!, When The War Came

4. State of Emergency by The Living End

Hailing from the land of the kangaroos, this punkabilly band might sound like a Green Day clone in more ways than one, but they sure know how to rock. Quite interesting is the fact that the bassist uses a stand-up bass for his parts which imparts a different type of sound to the songs. Lead singer Chris Cheney sounds a lot like Green Day’s Billy Joe Armstrong and so do some of the songs. But pay careful attention, and you will notice that The Living End are more aggressive with their music. Kicking off with the heavy “‘Til The End,” The Living End never quite let up in intensity. “Wake Up” has a section that is reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in The Wall Part 2″ while the final song, “Into The Red” sounds very much like a 60s/70s punk song - even the production is such. All in all, a high-energy record with some great songs!

Track Suggestions: ‘Til The End, Wake Up, What’s on Your Radio?, State of Emergency, Into The Red
Other Album Suggestions: The Living End

3. Switzerland by Electric Six

The swinging party band E6 deliver another fun record with Switzerland. For US audiences, this was the second album in the year. This one sees E6 slowing down the madness a bit. Just a bit though. The songs are still distinctly E6 and Dick Valentine’s vocals are wonderful as ever with the lyrics being as cryptic as ever also. It’s a fun album and while it seems like the morning after the crazy party that the first two albums were, this one still has enough punch to satisfy E6 fans. “I Buy The Drugs” sings of a guy who delivers drugs and other supplies to a sorority and loves it! “Pulling The Plug on The Party” is one of the songs that gives the impression that this is not the same rollicking stuff from their debut. The album concludes with the silly, 1-minute “Chocolate Pope” and I recommend watching the video on YouTube. In conclusion, a strong album from a band doesn’t seem to disappoint with their albums.

Track Suggestions: I Buy The Drugs, Pulling The Plug on The Party, Pink Flamingoes, Rubber Rocket, Germans in Mexico
Other Album Suggestions: Fire, Senor Smoke

2. Pearl Jam by Pearl Jam

Returning four years after Riot Act, Pearl Jam’s eponymous eighth album sees them angrier than ever and has some of their best work since the peak they hit in the mid-90s. Eddie Vedder writes and delivers sensitive lyrics dealing a lot with the war that the US has gotten itself into. Pearl Jam are definitely not happy and they express their dissatisfaction time and again, in particular on “World Wide Suicide,” surely one of their best singles. But not everything is about war as Eddie sings a touching song hoping for a lover’s return with “Come Back” and a trippy song about hallucinogens on “Severed Hand.” The album has loud guitars, a lot of hooks, as well as strong lyrics and impressive delivery by Vedder. The album doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of their heyday, but is still a strong album and a sign that they’re not out of the game just yet.

Track Suggestions: World Wide Suicide, Severed Hand, Army Reserve, Gone, Life Wasted
Other Album Suggestions: Ten, Vs., Vitalogy

And now, time for #1. For anyone following my Last.fm charts, this will come as no surprise whatsoever.

1. 10, 000 Days by Tool

In my eyes, or ears rather, nothing in 2006 came close. Right from the first track, Vicarious, Tool’s fourth full-length studio album is a staggering sonic assault. Whether it’s the thought-provoking lyrics of Right in Two or the silliness that is Rosetta Stoned, Tool deliver a record like no other this year. Wings For Marie/10, 000 Days is a 17 minute epic written as a eulogy for the lead singer’s mother who passed away after 27 years in paralysis. Tool sort of return to the anger from their Undertow days on “The Pot” with an impressive bass line driving the song. It even managed to bag the #1 spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Jambi is an aggressive, hard rocker with some brilliant guitar work by Adam Jones and some excellent drumming by the always amazing Danny Carey. His tribal sound is like no other and lends a sense of uniqueness to Tool’s music. While ambience tracks like “Lost Keys” and “Viginti Tres” are not very good, they do their job as soundscapes meant to enhance the album. Lost Keys lays the foundation for Rosetta Stoned to build and expand upon. Tool’s songs are not the short, radio-happy variety. Discounting the soundscapes, the shortest song here is still almost 7 minutes long. But listening to Tool is a very rewarding experience and being patient is important.

Furthermore, the exquisite packaging and the 76 minute length offer way more than your money’s worth. Fans still await a video while the band is in the middle of a break from relentless touring. I bet Adam Jones, their guitarist and video director, is hard at work on the videos. I expect something special, like always!

Track Suggestions: Vicarious, Jambi, 10, 000 Days, The Pot, Rosetta Stoned, Right in Two
Other Album Suggestions: Lateralus, Ænima, Undertow

Albums that were good but didn’t make the cut:

Incubus - Light Grenades
Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist

Albums everyone’s talking about but I haven’t listened to yet:

TV on The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

More Best Ofs to follow in the next week. I hope you enjoyed reading this one.