My Studio Albums of 2006 (that I've bought)

 

This year I've bought 25 studio albums released in 2006.

 

They are:

 

Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics

All Saints - Studio 1

Lily Allen - Alright, Still

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Corinne Bailey Rae - Corinne Bailey Rae

Embrace - This New Day

The Feeling - Twelve Stops And Home

David Gilmour - On An Island

Keane - Under The Iron Sea

Morrissey - Ringleader Of The Tormenters

Orson - Bright Idea

Nerina Pallot - Fires

Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental

P!nk - I'm Not Dead

Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes

Prince - 3121

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah

Snow Patrol - Eyes Open

Gwen Stefani - Sweet Escape

Take That - Beautiful World

Sandi Thom - Smile…. It Confuses People

Robbie Williams - Rudebox

Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

Thom Yorke - The Eraser

 

 

 

I have also bought the following new compilation albums this year (which are excluded from the countdown):

 

Beatles LOVE

Beautiful South Gold

Crowded House Farewell To The World (Live 1996)

Girls Aloud The Sound Of …the Greatest Hits

Jamiroquai High Times Singles 1992-2006

Massive Attack Collected

Sugababes Overloaded The Singles Collection

 

 

I will start my studio album countdown of 2006 shortly:

25. LILY ALLEN - ALRIGHT STILL (4 out of 10)

 

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Released : 17-July 2006

 

Tracks / My Rate out of 10

 

1. Smile 8

2. Knock 'Em Out 4

3. LDN 9

4. Everything's Just Wonderful 4

5. Not Big 7

6. Friday Night 5

7. Shame For You 5

8. Littlest Things 10

9. Take What You Take 2

10. Friend Of Mine 5

11. Alfie 8

 

Alfie (Sims video)

 

Lily Allen (daughter of cult comedian/actor Keith) was a 21yr old singer/songwriter who attempted to fuse pop, hip-hop and dancehall into an uplifting, breezy and eclectic concoction that failed miserably for me to catch my imagination, due to a largely very weak set of songs, only saved from awfulness by the blissfully carefree and tongue-in-cheek celebratory 'LDN' & 'Alfie' and the Cat Stevens Wild World esque 'Littlest Things'. Despite some great lyrics spread throughout the album, its effect was spoilt by her waffer thin singing vocal skills and her (at times) fake mockney accent. And don't get me started with all her "MySpace" bitching of other artists & people.

 

2006 has been a great year for British female singers and if she somehow manages to win a BRIT or two in February 2007, I will be very miffed.

24. ALL SAINTS - STUDIO 1 (5 out of 10)

 

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Released 13-Nov-2006

 

1. Rock Steady 10

2. Chick Fit 9

3. On And On 7

4. Scar 5

5. Not Eazy 5

6. Hell No 3

7. One Me And U 8

8. Headlock 6

9. Too Nasty 5

10. In It To Win It 6

11. Flashback 7

12. Fundamental 10

 

Chick Fit (live @ popworld)

 

Originally seen as a more "street" version of the Spice Girls when they emerged on the pop scene back in the late 1990’s, All Saints went on to huge critical and commercial success, managing to clock up an impressive run of Number One singles, a couple of BRIT awards and even an MTV Award, thanks to their unique take on modern pop music that has undoubtedly influenced groups like Sugababes and Girls Aloud. Having parted their ways five years ago following well-publicised spats and the Appleton's autobiography, the girls reformed at the beginning of the year, and 'Studio 1' was their not so eagerly (it debuted in the UK #40) anticipated third studio album.

 

The fantastic first single 'Rocksteady' and the forthcoming 2nd single 'Chick Fit', excellently produced by (Javine's now ex-boyfriend) Greg Kurstin (Pink, Jamelia, Lily Allen), suggested that the Girl group had emerged sounding fresh and relevant, full of their original sass and individuality, unfortunately the standard of songwriting declines sharply afterwards. Only the Pure Shores'esque 'One Me And U'; the track that sounds like they nicked a Girls Aloud song 'Flashback' and the superb anthemic-ballad album closer 'Fundamental' have much going for them.

23. ORSON - BRIGHT IDEA (6 out of 10)

 

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Released 29-May-2006

 

1. Bright Idea 7

2. No Tomorrow 10

3. Happiness 9

4. Already Over 6

5. Downtown 8

6. Tryin' To Help 6

7. So Ahead Of Me 5

8. Last Night 7

9. Look Around 8

10. Save The World 5

11. The Okay Song 8

 

Look Around (Lyrics on screen)

 

This band came out of nowhere (well Hollywood, California) at the beginning of the year with their fantastic debut single 'No Tomorrow'. With "two-guitar power-pop", or "rock and roll that girls can dance to" this radio-friendly album is very consistent think of late 1970s rockers Cheap Trick, The Cars & Boston mixed with influences from Elvis Costello, Led Zeppelin & INXS.

 

Unfortunately, a lot of it is rather samey, most of the lyrics seems to be about falling in and out of love with girls, a lot like Maroon 5 but with balls. The 2nd single 'Bright Idea' is quite good until you realise that it is a bit of a rip-off from The Beatles 'Getting Better'. 'Other highlights on the album include the Led Zeppelin inspired 3rd single 'Happiness'; the anthemic piano-led ballad 'Look Around' and the closing Badfinger-esque rocker 'The Okay Song'.

22. PRINCE - 3121 (6 out of 10)

 

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Released 20-Mar-2006

 

1. 3121 7

2. Lolita 9

3. Te Amo Corazon 8

4. Black Sweat 9

5. Incense And Candles 6

6. Love 7

7. Satisfied 5

8. Fury 9

9. The Word 8

10. Beautiful, Loved & Blessed 7

11. The Dance 5

12. Get On The Boat 5

 

Lolita/Satisfied medley (live on American Idol)

 

Prince who has been recording prolifically since 1979 released his 25th new studio album, on the back of his star turn at the BRITS in February. While his creative purple patch belongs a long way in the past, this is still a very listenable album, due to the excellent musicianship involved, even if it is not quite up to the standard of his previous return to form 'Musicology' album.

 

Highlights include the funk-work outs ('Lolita, 'Black Sweat' & 'Fury'); the ballads ('Te Amo Corazon' & 'Beautiful, Loved & Blessed'); the rockier ('Fury') and the groovier almost Michael Jackson like ('The Word').

21. Gwen Stefani - The Great Escape (6 out of 10)

 

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Released 04-Dec-2006

 

1. Wind It Up 9

2. The Sweet Escape-Feat. Akon 9

3. Orange County Girl 7

4. Early Winter 9

5. Now That You Got It 5

6. 4 In The Morning 9

7. Yummy-Feat. Pharrell 3

8. Fluorescent 7

9. Breakin' Up 4

10. Don't Get It Twisted 6

11. U Started It 7

12. Wonderful Life 9

Bonus Tracks

13. Wind It Up [Haragiuku Live Version] 8

 

Early Winter

 

This is the album that all Gwen fans have been waiting for - the follow-up to the million selling 'Love. Angel. Music. Baby'. 'The Sweet Escape' – which includes the Sound of Music inspired lead single 'Wind It Up' starts off precedings strongly. The title-track achieves the incredibly rare achievement of being great despite the presence of Akon. Production and co-writing duties come from an eclectic cast including Pharrell, Nellee Hooper, Martin Gore (Depeche Mode), Akon, Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane) and No Doubt's Tony Kanal.

 

'The Sweet Escape' sees Gwen once again pushing the boundaries of pop and creating her own cool sound that others will be desperate to follow. Aside from the edgy first single 'Wind It Up', highlights include the infectious title track, the sublime 'Early Winter' featuring Tim Rice-Oxley's assistance, the superb mid-tempo Madonna-esque ballad '4 In The Morning' and the 1980s electronic inspired 'Wonderful Life'.

 

However, despite these highlights this album is not as good as Gwen's solo debut, as it has less classics and more filler than 'L.A.M.B.'.

20. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - STADIUM ARCADIUM (6 out of 10)

 

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Released 08-May-2006

 

Disc One - Jupiter

1. Dani California 9

2. Snow (Hey Oh) 8

3. Charlie 6

4. Stadium Arcadium 9

5. Hump De Bump 5

6. She's Only 18 6

7. Slow Cheetah 9

8. Torture Me 7

9. Strip My Mind 7

10. Especially In Michigan 5

11. Warlocks 5

12. C'mon Girl 6

13. Wet Sand 7

14. Hey 7

 

Disc Two - Mars

1. Desecration Smile 9

2. Tell Me Baby 8

3. Hard To Concentrate 7

4. 21st Century 9

5. She Looks To Me 8

6. Readymade 5

7. If 6

8. Make You Feel Better 6

9. Animal Bar 6

10. So Much I 5

11. Storm In A Teacup 8

12. We Believe 5

13. Turn It Again 6

14. Death Of A Martian 8

 

21st Century (live - Rock In Rio 2006)

 

Produced by long time collaborator Rick Rubin, this brand new studio album from Red Hot Chili Peppers is an extra special treat as it will be released as a 28-track double disc epic, with discs entitled 'Jupiter' and 'Mars' respectively.

 

Unfortunately, listening to this 28 track album is a bit of a chore, as whilst the musicianship is superb, there are just too many tracks on this album with not enough quality and the lack of musical diversity results in this album sounding samey. If truth be told if you took the best 12/14 tracks from these 2 CD's you would still not have as strong an album as either 'By The Way' or 'Californication'.

 

When promoting this album, the band were saying that they hoped that this is their Led Zeppelin's (double album) 'Physical Graffiti'. Personally the Led Zeppelin song that can most accurately describe this album is 'The Song Remains The Same'.

Haven't heard anything from any albums so far except the singles, but looking forward to seeing where Arctic Monkeys, Keane, Embrace, The Feeling and Snow Patrol will chart B)

19. EMBRACE - THIS NEW DAY (6 out of 10)

 

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Released 27-Mar-2006

 

1. No Use Crying 8

2. Nature's Law 10

3. Target 7

4. Sainted 6

5. I Can't Come Down 9

6. Celebrate 7

7. Exploding Machines 6

8. Even Smaller Stones 7

9. The End Is Near 6

10. This New Day 5

 

Celebrate (2006 World Cup Final highlights)

 

The follow up album from their career highpoint & comeback album "Out Of Nothing" had a very promising start thanks to arguably their greatest single to date 'Nature's Law'. However despite the rest of the album having the same bold & epic brand of piano and strings led widescreen indie grandiose that their previous album had, it was not packed with as many strong anthems utilising uplifting melodies of sky scraping proportions. While a lot of the album feels like second rate U2/Coldplay.

 

While the awful England World Cup song 'World At Your Feet' did for this album what new England manager Steve McLaren has done to David Beckham's England career.

I was slightly disappointed by Embrace, tbh... better than their first one, though -_-

18. MORRISSEY - RINGLEADER OF THE TORMENTORS (7 out of 10)

 

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Released 03-Apr-2006

 

1. I Will See You In Far Off Places 8

2. Dear God Please Help Me 9

3. You Have Killed Me 9

4. The Youngest Was The Most Loved 8

5. In The Future When All's Well 8

6. The Father Who Must Be Killed 6

7. Life Is A Pigsty 9

8. I'll Never Be Anybody's Hero Now 6

9. On The Streets I Ran 6

10. To Me You Are A Work Of Art 6

11. I Just Want To See The Boy Happy 5

12. At Last I Am Born 8

 

I Will See You In Far Off Places (live on C4 Album Chart show)

 

This 8th solo studio album and follow up to the resounding success of 2004's 'You Are The Quarry' comeback album is not quite as strong in songwriting terms as his 2004 effort, however it runs it fairly close.

 

A savagely alive record (recorded in Rome), 'Ringleader Of The Tormentors' is an album of a different complexion than all previous Morrissey records. It seems more confident, open, adventourous, dare one say it, happier than the majority of this icon's back catalogue. Recorded with long-term hero Tony Visconti (who previously worked with T Rex and David Bowie), the album positively crackles with fire starting with the Led Zeppelin inspired opener 'I Will See You In Far Off Places'. Far more direct and rocking than '...Quarry', Morrissey was even able to enlist the legendary Ennio Morricone on the thrilling frank and open 'Dear God, Help Me Please'. Other key tracks include the rambunctious first single 'You Have Killed Me', 'The Youngest Was The Most Loved' and the epic 'Life Is A Pigsty'. However, it is let down by filler in the second half of the album.

I love Studio 1, I do however think that 'One Me And U' is the worst song on it, it makes me cringe so much.

 

I like 'Headlock' a lot.

17. DAVID GILMOUR - ON AN ISLAND (7 out of 10)

 

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Released 6-Mar-2006

 

1. Castellorization 6

2. On An Island 9

3. The Blue 8

4. Take A Breath 8

5. Red Sky At Night 7

6. This Heaven 5

7. Then I Close My Eyes 7

8. Smile 9

9. A Pocketful Of Stones 8

10. Where We Start 9

 

Smile video

 

David Gilmour's third solo album and his first studio recording since Pink Floyd's 1994 multi-platinum 'The Division Bell' is a very relaxed, yet very personal affair, feeling very much like a spiritual uncle to 2005's superb Kate Bush comeback album 'Aerial'. From the first moments of the sound collage that begins 'On An Island', you know it's a special experience that not only bears comparison with the best of Pink Floyd, but also confirms their lead guitarist and singer as an outstanding solo artist. Here he reveals a personal vision and a breadth of styles, from folk, jazz, orchestral and rock, all brought together as a unified piece by his lyrical guitar playing and instantly recognisable voice.

 

The album contains musical cameos from Pink Floyd cohorts Guy Pratt & Richard Wright; and Roxy Music's Phil Manzernera & Andy Newmark, as well as David Crosby and Graham Nash on vocals on some of the tracks.

16. THOM YORKE - THE ERASER (7 out of 10)

 

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Released 10-Jul-2006

 

1. The Eraser 8

2. Analyse 8

3. The Clock 7

4. Black Swan 9

5. Skip Divided 6

6. Atoms For Peace 6

7. And It Rained All Night 6

8. Harrowdown Hill 10

9. Cymbal Rush 7

 

The Clock (live performance)

 

Although fervently denied its "solo album" status by Thom, it is undeniable that 'The Eraser' is the sound of Thom Yorke branching out from his usual Radiohead duties. Whilst still produced by Radiohead favourite Nigel Godrich, 'The Eraser' is the culmination of "beats and things" that Thom has written and recorded throughout his mainstay as Radiohead's frontman.

 

As a result the album is much more electronic, and the songs are more conventionally constructed than recent Radiohead albums. This Nationwide Mercury Music Award nominated album includes the excellent single 'Harrowdown Hill'.

15. PINK - I'M NOT DEAD (7 out of 10)

 

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Released 03-Apr-2006

 

1. Stupid Girls 10

2. Who Knew 10

3. Long Way To Happy 8

4. Nobody Knows 6

5. Dear Mr. President-Feat. Indigo Girls 9

6. I'm Not Dead 7

7. Cuz I Can 8

8. Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely) 7

9. U & Ur Hand 8

10. Runaway 7

11. The One That Got Away 6

12. I Got Money Now 6

13. Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self 8

Bonus Tracks

14. Fingers 9

15. I Have Seen The Rain 9

 

Dear Mr President (Live MTV USA)

 

Pink's 4th album is thankfully a return of form after the very mediocre 3rd album. With 'I'm Not Dead' Pink has produced a very diverse album, not stuck in one particular genre or style of music, P!nk has managed to captivate audiences all over the world with her self-assertive sass and hook-filled anthems.

 

This album contains a heady mixture of sharp-witted pop gems ('Stupid Girls', 'U & UR Hand'), mid-tempo balladry ('Who Knew'), thought provoking and politically conscious songwriting ('Dear Mr. President', I Have Seen The Rain) and no-nonsense party anthems ('Cuz I Can'). Fusing pop, r'n'b and rock, 'I'm Not Dead' finds P!nk once again on top of her game.

14. PET SHOP BOYS - FUNDAMENTAL (7 out of 10)

 

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Released 22-May-2006

 

1. Psychological 7

2. The Sodom & Gomorrah Show 8

3. I Made My Excuses And Left 8

4. Minimal 7

5. Numb 9

6. God Willing 5

7. Luna Park 7

8. I'm With Stupid 10

9. Casanova In Hell 9

10. Twentieth Century 6

11. Indefinite Leave To Remain 7

12. Integral 10

 

Integral (video - Dr. Who Cyberman episode)

 

The elder statesmen of synth-pop returned with their 9th proper studio album 'Fundamental' produced by the legendary Trevor Horn. This album is easily their strongest effort since 1993's 'Very'; a deliciously dark yet essentially thorough Pet Shop Boys album that looks at the world in 2006, taking contemporary events and turning them into electronically flourished songs. The first single, a commentary on the relationship between George W. Bush & Tony Blair 'I'm With Stupid' featuring a video with Little Britain's Matt Lucas & David Williams, sets the scene for much of the album.

 

Other highlights include the uptempo 'The Sodom & Gomorrah Show' & 'Integral'; The atmospheric 'Luna Park' & 'Casanova In Hell' and the orchestral ballad penned by Diane Warren and 3rd single 'Numb' used rather too poignantly by the BBC after England lost yet another World Cup quarter-final.

The last one for tonight........

 

13. SANDI THOM - SMILE... IT CONFUSES PEOPLE (7 out of 10)

 

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Released 05-Jun-2006

 

1. When Horsepower Meant What It Said 7

2. I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair) 10

3. Lonely Girl 10

4. Sunset Borderline 8

5. Little Remedy 6

6. Castles 6

7. What If I'm Right 9

8. Superman 7

9. The Human Jukebox 10

10. Time 9

 

The Human Jukebox (another Dr Who video)

 

Internet phenomenon Sandi Thom released her debut album 'Smile… It Confuses People' on the back of that single 'I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker' which polarised opinion on the song and artist. The fact that John Lydon joined her band on stage in Los Angeles in October to perform that song, probably justified the thought that too many people took the song incorrectly on it's literal basis, and failed to grasp that the song was all about rebellion against the establishment (something that BOTH the Hippy & Punk movement were all about).

 

Despite a strong vocal performance and many catchy melodic songs, this KT Tunstall-lite nu-folk-rock debut album, failed to achieve an identity for the artist despite being a foot stomping, toe tapping album that traverses between mainstream appeal and her very own, unique edgy brand of rock.

Good to see Embrace there, Rich, that will be in my Top 5 for albums this year :P

Good selection of albums you've bought...I really like Studio 1 though-9/10 for me :-)

12. KEANE - UNDER THE IRON SEA (7 out of 10)

 

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Released 12-Jun-2006

 

1. Atlantic 9

2. Is It Any Wonder? 9

3. Nothing In My Way 10

4. Leaving So Soon? 6

5. A Bad Dream 8

6. Hamburg Song 8

7. Put It Behind You 7

8. The Iron Sea 5

9. Crystal Ball 8

10. Try Again 6

11. Broken Toy 6

12. The Frog Prince 7

 

Atlantic video

 

The follow up to the 2nd best selling album of 2004, saw Keane still maintain the same epic indie sound & musical territory they share with the likes of Coldplay, Snow Patrol & Embrace. Like the debut this three piece produced a guitar free album containing synth-rock slabs and piano driven tracks that are reminiscent of their 1980s musical prototype A-ha.

 

The band were not wrong as describing the album as a darker and more raw experience. It is certainly musically a more varied than their debut 'Hopes and Fears' thanks to the early 1990s uptempo U2-esque lead single 'Is It Any Wonder?', following on from the incredibly atmospheric 'Atlantic'; while the 3rd track (and 3rd single) 'Nothing In My Way' is the album highlight. However, the album does not seem to have the flow that their debut possessed and it sounds as if it was much more of a harder effort to write and record. Whilst Tim's drug problems which caused a postponement of their tour did not help the momentum of the album either.