So ... I tend to hate reading other people's Top 10 lists every year but I seem to have no problem compiling my own Top 10 lists -- go figure. Actually, I shouldn't say that I have "no problem" because invariably I always have a hard time compressing an entire year of music (and movies and faux pas', etc.) into a simple list of 10. But ... I think I've come up with a list of Top 10 Albums and Songs that I'm happy with for '06 ... and here they are:

Coming in at #10 is a tie between the soundtracks to the movies Marie Antoinette and Dreamgirls:


Both movies are really brought to life by way of the music used in them and altho Marie Antoinette is really a vapid feast for the eyes, I contend that the music really goes a long way in making the audience become a part of the story. I loved the strings version of the Siouxsie and the Banshees song Hong Kong Garden and, in fact, spent a lot of time listening to not only the pop/rock songs on the soundtrack but also the instrumental songs -- something I rarely do. Dreamgirls is probably going to shock many people once they get to hear Jennifer Hudson sing And I'm Telling You ... for that song alone, the album had to make my Top 10 list.

At #9 I chose the new album by The Dixie Chicks titled Taking The Long Way:


I'm not a big Country music fan (and no, Shania Twain does not count) and I was never previously a Dixie Chicks fan (altho, I have always enjoyed the song Goodbye Earl) but I was intrigued when I heard that rock producer Rick Ruben would be producing this new album. Absent all the controversy and drama that surrounds the Dixie Chicks, this album is amazing. I really hope DC continue to make albums like this because I am definitely a new fan.

Prince's newest album 3121 comes in at #8:


The man is just 2 Funky 4 His Own Good. I'm glad that he's cooled off on the religiousy music (like his album The Rainbow Children) because I think he's at his best when he's sexy/funky. Black Sweat is just ... sex. Prince is deff the man.

The Raconteurs album, Broken Boy Soliders, is in at #7:


Jack White + Brendan Benson = L.O.V.E. The world finally got to hear how amazing a singer Brendan Benson is ... now maybe they'll go out and buy some of his solo work. I know there will be more music from The Raconteurs in our future ... I just hope we don't have to wait too long.

After taking many years off both Nina Gordon and Veruca Salt came back in 2006 with new album each. Bleeding Heart Graffiti and IV are tied for the #6 spot:


What can I say about Nina Gordon and Veruca Salt that I haven't said numerous times before. Nina and Louise Post make amazing music on their own, with their new collaborators and they just make me yearn for a day when they might come back together and collaborate again. Until then, I'll just have to enjoy the music they keep putting out cuz they keep putting out great shizz!

My Chemical Romance's new album The Black Parade gets the #5 slot:


MCR just did everything right with this album. They have been able to marry goth/rock/pop so seamlessly that you know that Jared Leto was just seething with jealousy when he heard this album. MCR just know how to write a great song and know how to package it so that they can make as many people happy as possible all at the same time. This is one album that I love listening to in its entirety.

AFI's newest album decemberunderground comes in at #4:


But, as good as My Chemical Romance is ... I think that AFI are a bit better because they've been making this sort of perfect goth/pop for years. MCR may get all the press but AFI have really been setting the standard. While some may think that MCR have "sold out" or gone "teeny bopper", AFI have managed to retain their cred.

My newest fave band is The Oohlas and their debut album Best Stop Pop is my #3 pick this year:


You know that feeling you get when you hear a band and you immediately fall in love with them? I remember when I saw The Oohlas live for the first time just shortly after I moved to LA this summer and I just honestly -- fell in love. Ollie's voice is mesmerizing on the album ... it's even sexier on stage. The Oohlas are definitely my fave new band of the year.

Morrissey's umpteenth album Ringleader of the Tormentors is my #2 album of the year:


Moz keeps cranking out the kick-ass music and I will love him forever for it.

And my #1 album of the year is comes from Kelis, Kelis Was Here:


This album is by far the most solid album that was released this entire year. Every single song is a damn hit. I love that Kelis went from being a backup singer, to making everyone fall in love with her with Milkshake and then comes out with a completely solid album from beginning to end. I never tire of listening to this album ... in fact, I'm gonna go listen to it again as soon as I'm finished typing this. She is the definitely bomb and put out my absolute favorite album of the year.

Honorable mention goes to Tori Amos for releasing her box set of rarities and new tracks A Piano: The Collection:


Sure this box set is made up of mostly released material but the new tracks are soooo good. We finally get to hear Zero Point after hearing about it for so many years. I am very much looking forward to a new Tori Amos album in 2007 ... so til then, this box set will keep me very happy in the meantime.

The Top Songs of 2006:

1. Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado with Timbaland: David and I got to hear this song for the first time ever, anywhere when Nelly Furtado debuted the video on TRL. Ever since that day I don't think a day has gone by since that I haven't hummed or sang along to that song. It was deff the song of the year for me.
2. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake: But, SexyBack is a close second. EVERYONE loved this song for at least a month after it came out. Don't lie, you know YOU did too.
3. Hips Don't Lie - Shakira with Wyclelf Jean: There is something about how you can't understand most of what Shakira is singing in this song but the chorus is sheer perfection. Try listening to this song in the car and I dare you not to dance in your seat.
4. Buttons - Pussycat Dolls with Big Snoop Dogg: Maybe my unofficial song of the year? It's a little trashy but totally fun ... and definitely worthy of being my theme song on My Space.
5. My Humps - Black Eyed Peas & Fergalicious - Fergie: Love it or hate it everyone knows the words to My Humps ... and then Fergie comes back later in the year with her own solo album and drops another great catchphrase song. I think she sold her soul to the Devil in order to keep coming up with these infectious songs -- at the very least we can shamelessly enjoy them.
6. Over My Head (Cable Car) - The Fray: Are The Fray the new Coldplay? I really hope not because I really like these guys. Over My Head got completely stuck in my head and I love singing it outloud in the car.
7. Move Along - All-American Rejects: I remember the first time I heard this song on the AAR album and I KNEW it was going to be a huge radio hit. Pop perfection with a tiny piano bridge + children's chorus ... Love.The.Song.
8. Gold Digger - Kanye West with Jamie Foxx: This was the SexyBack before SexyBack came out. This song still gets all the asses out on the dancefloor. It prolly has the best lyrics of any hip-hop song I've heard all year.
9. Steady As She Goes - The Raconteurs: Brendan Benson is the shit. The end.
10. Sorry - Madonna: C'mon ... prolly the best pop song of the year? Madonna knows a hit when she writes one.

The end.

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