I couldn’t really separate these ten albums into an actual countdown. I’ve loved each at different points of the year and for many different reasons, but pretty much all of these have given me much pleasure, both sitting at home and while out and about with my mp3 player. MP3s and samples can be found by visiting most of the websites linked, or by searching through the stayfun archive.

Numbers 1-5 will be posted later in individual posts. Oh the drama. But first, the albums…

Under Byen - Samme Stof Som Stof

What can I say about Under Byen that I haven’t said over and over and over throughout 2006. Beautiful, hypnotic arrangements, driving percussion, organic sounds and wonderfully constructed compositions. Some may find the ethereal distant vocals of Henriette Sennenvaldt a bit overdone, but not me. I think everyone should give this album a go and put aside any fears about Danish lyricism.

My Latest Novel – Wolves

Big things finally happened for this Glasgow/Greenock bunch in 2006. Having known their music for a couple of years before the album was actually released, there was always the chance it wouldn’t live up to my expectations. That wasn’t the case though. From their cheery twee indie pop moments to the darker chants and drones, it’s a lovely complete piece. Just forget about all those mainstream Arcade Fire comparisons because they’re their own band.

About - Bongo

The one album of the year I’d famously listen to on a loop. Short, sharp and fun, this is my ideal blend of electro and punk-pop with great melodic hooks.

Grizzly Bear – Yellow House

This is one album I didn’t think would make it onto my end of year list. I’ve loosely followed Grizzly Bear since before the release of this debut album. Early in the year they visited Europe a couple of times in support of Final Fantasy and I took a liking to them then. But when the album came out and the hype exploded, I wasn’t convinced. There were moments of greatness, but I’d also drift off through much of the middle of the album. It eventually won me over though. It sounds remarkably sonic despite the lo-fi recording techniques. The structures and melodies create a lovely fairytale lullaby feel. And then there’s ‘On a Neck, On a Spit’, the song I really get excited about. If you haven’t heard Grizzly Bear yet, start with track eight.

Isis & Aereogramme – In the Fishtank

Only three songs, but how could I not get excited about two of my favourite bands writing and recording together. Originally recorded in Amsterdam in 2005, it finally saw the light of day in the second half of 2006. Not the heavy monster most expected, it’s layered carefully and cunningly. Rather than stomping in and slashing you with huge claws, it creeps up on you like a tense Japanese horror film.

The Delgados – The Complete BBC Peel Sessions

Not truly an original release seeing as half of this compilation had been put out before. But still, The Delgados need never release a proper greatest hits compilation when they have a double disc set like this with most of their best songs on it. I still miss The Delgados, so this was a great way of keeping their spirit and music close by.

Blues Brother Castro – Fun

I’ve never properly written about this album, I fear. It took a long time to grow on me—longer than their previous album anyway. And in fact, even once it had, I hadn’t realised because it mainly happened while listening to mp3s on random. Then one day I stuck it on, knew all the songs word for word and just loved it. So much so that I was extremely excited about seeing BBC at the Subbacultcha! anniversary night in Paradiso in December, only for them to be forced to pull out on the day because someone had inconveniently gone into labour or something. Anyway, they’re my Dutch rock band of the year.

Toumani Diabaté - Boulevard de l’Indépendance

2006 was the year I properly discovered Afropop. It’s a shame it’s only represented by this one album in my list, but much of what I was listening to wasn’t released in the space of that year. This album is terribly fun and uplifting, though, and I long to hear music like this adopted more freely by mainstream media because it’s impossible not to feel good when listening to it. Joined by his Symmetric Orchestra, the horns blast and everyone wants to dance. It’s not contrived pop, it’s not cynical, just heartfelt music.

Mastodon – Blood Mountain

The band that made me feel like it was okay to enjoy heavy metal again. A real contemporary metal outfit who’ve put the final nail in the coffin of nu-metal. They’re a bit prog-rock for some but I love their fiddly guitars. More importantly, they’re unapologetically heavy and great at it. There’s something about their sound and style which feels completely fresh. It’s just a shame that when I saw them supporting Tool in Rotterdam, their sound was as poor as could be—just a muddy swamp of bass drum and growls.

Youngblood Brass Band – Is That a Riot?

Apparently there are no traditional hiphop outfits on this list, which doesn’t mean I dislike the genre. But there’s definitely no other hiphop band that has impressed me as greatly as Youngblood Brass Band in 2006. All brass section and marching band percussion, their sound is powerful, and nothing has gotten me as worked up in the last 12 months than the opening two tracks of this album. Beyond that, the ensemble touch on soul, jazz and mariachi. If only I’d caught them live because the atmosphere they generate is electric.