Best album of 2006*...TIE!

Between the genre defying gorgeous, soul palpating

Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

and the transcendental rump shaking hip hop (or is it neo-soul...whatever) duo that covers the Violent Femmes with a nose thumbing

Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere

Notable mentions:

Best country album: UPDATED, as Lucindas album came out this year: Dixie Chicks - The Long Way Yes its a cold day in hell, but the damn things a country pop masterpiece. Usually I prefer more mandolin, whiskey, trains, and murder...

Runner up country: Hank III - Straight to Hell. This album is a pretentious train wreck thats so full of itself it makes me barf. After barfing, its a lotta fun.

Best soul man comes to Nashville to do country covers: Solomon Burke - Nashville

Best indie musician comes to Mephis to be hip record: Cat Power - The Greatest

Best hairy chest, I take myself far too seriously rock album thats good despite itself: The Twilight Singers - Powder Burns

Best pale chest goofy rock album: The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers

Best use of pots, pans, and a 12" salami: Tom Waits - Orphans

Most unlikely pairing that exceeds the original total: Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell - Ballad of the Broken Seas

Best guitar sound that leaves skidmarks in your undies: The Black Keys - Magic Potion.

Best soundtrack for guys with large roosters: Various Artists - Rescue Me

Se ya next year.

*with extra bias!

I hated their last album. It was too cutesy, but this one got grown up sounding production. Theyve always been great pickers and players. Natalie Maines voice is not my favorite, but you cant argue with the tight harmonies.

EDIT: Even if you dont agree with me about the Raconteurs, youve got to appreciate their website: http://www.theraconteurs.com/