mxdwn Top 20 Albums 2006: 20-1620. Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope
Eccentric, eclectic, and passionate, Regina Spektor’s fourth album Begin To Hope has everything from lyrics with literary references to singing in Russian and using unusual vocal techniques. Taking her influences from jazz, rock, pop, classical, folk, and even hip-hop, Spektor achieves every musicians goal of not only creating a great album, but one that any fan of music can enjoy.

– Danielle Reicherter

19.Be Your Own Pet – Be Your Own Pet
Be Your Own Pet has garnered huge amounts of press since their self-titled release in June of this year. The band is reminiscent of angst-driven 80s hardcore with an added flair of pop oriented melodies. The lead vocalist, Jemina Pearl stands out for her uncontrollable stage presence, her range and her scream. Be Your Own Pet comes from one of the last true punk bands and is not to be missed.

– Brendan Welsh

18.Soulwax – Nite Versions
What’s more unfair? Holland’s Dewaele brothers making dance stompers despite picking up guitars and such in Soulwax first? Or solid rock beyond the scope of their 2 Many DJ’s permutation? Nite Versions runs their 2005 album Any Minute Now through their legendary neo-disco and mashup filters.

– Adam Blyweiss

17.Peter, Bjorn and John – Writer’s Block
Swedish trio Peter, Bjorn and John have captured cool with their album Writers Block. They’ve got a youthful spirit, free of gloss and polish, and there’s nothing typical about their sound. The ridiculously cheery Young Folks is sublime, with an accelerated drum beat, bongos and an infectious whistling melody that is nearly impossible to forget.

– Jacquie Frisco

16.Pearl Jam – Pearl Jam
Amidst a musical landscape wholly different from when they were in their prime, Pearl Jam’s self-titled LP is a refreshingly raw take on grunge rock. Eddie, Jeff, Mike, Stone and Matt here play with both ferocity and tenderness in ways some may have forgot they were capable of.

– Raymond Flotat

mxdwn.com Album of the Year 2006: 20 – 16
mxdwn.com Album of the Year 2006: 15 – 11
mxdwn.com Album of the Year 2006: 10 – 6
mxdwn.com Album of the Year 2006: 5 – 1