(I like to pretend) I'm a critic

Lists are a necessary evil. I hate compiling them, as it means I have to put a value on something, which means analysing, critiquing and passing judgment, but then it's always fun looking back in 12 months time and think 'what was I thinking?'.

But here's one anyway.

Top 10 Albums of 2006

9. WWI ::: White Whale
A sea-shandy sing-a-long group, sort of, not quite in the same vein as The Coral, a bit more meaty.

8. Show Your Bones ::: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Karen O is a champ. She's got more testosterone than I'll ever have, and although panned by a lot of critics, I say this album lived up to the hype of their singles.

7. The Life Pursuit ::: Belle & Sebastian
The first B&S album I ever bought, and have since started filling in the blanks with their previous work. Fun stuff, crazy whacked-out lyrics.

6. Gravity Won't Get You High ::: The Grates (Aussie band)
Great fun Australian band, can't wait to see them live.

5. Ships ::: Danielson
If anyone else is willing to admit to listening to this diatribe, please contact me, there simply has to be some sort of support group out there for people like us!

4b. Return to Cookie Mountain ::: TV on the Radio
Everyone talks about the 'space' TVOTR create with their music. I'm no critic, so I'll just say it sounds 'nice'.

4a. At War with the Mystics ::: The Flaming Lips
If you could make everybody poor just so you could be rich
Would you do it? (Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya)

3. Boys and Girls in America ::: The Hold Steady
Not on the same pegging as Separation Sunday, but I'll keep these guys in my top 3 to fulfill my 'I like bands you've never heard of quota'. Still a cracker album.

2. Like Drawing Blood ::: Gotye (Aussie bloke)
Belgium born Wouter "Wally" DeBacker is a classy bloke who can stand on stage, alone, and make bigger sounds than The Arcade Fire. Kudos to him.

1. The Crane Wife ::: The Decemberists
Every song on this album could easily be transformed into a short, 5 minute movie, with a meaty plot, intriguing characters and twists and turns a plenty. With a little effort, and a decent budget, most of these songs could become epic, full length motion pictures.

No more lists for me.