I actually didn’t have to scrape by and find 10 albums that were just so-so, to list in my Top 10. This year’s Top 10 are all very worthy, and you will find a few shockers in there (that’s for sure). Ranging from psychedelic hard rock, to anti-thematic alt-rock to next level pop music, this year proves to be the most diverse and sure to be talked about lists of the year. I can't listen to every single album in the world, (although I try) so if you don’t see your favorite record here, well maybe I just didn't get to it.

So, without any further delay, here are MY Top 10 Albums of 2006 (that I listened to…)

Top 10 Albums of 2006

• 1. Tool- 10,000 Days Maynard and the boys were back for one of their most intricate, and compelling records. Maybe not as accessible as some of their past albums, but this proves anybody that can try to provide some mystery and intrigue in their music, and still can please the masses is still doing something right after all these years. With wailing guitar solos and Maynard James Keenan’s haunting vocals; groups like Mastodon and Isis can only wish they hold up this well in 10 years.
  Check out the Key Tracks: “Jambi” and “Rosetta Stoned”
• 2. The Killers- Sam’s Town Yeah, yeah, say what you’ll say about this record. Pretentious? Sure! Over the top? Why not! After all of the mixed reviews, to me, this is still a great album. The album has a large, epic sound that can’t be denied. The band may not ever reach U2 sized heights, but the band should be proud for creating an ode to the storytelling of Bruce Springsteen. But a note to the Killers: Next time, don’t say the album is gonna be the “best album in the last 20 years”. Those things come back to bite you on the ass.
  Key Tracks: “Bling” and “Uncle Johny”
• 3. Lamb of God- Sacrament When I reviewed the album in August, I might have been harsh on this record. “Sacrament” hits with a fury that not many metal bands can even touch today. LOG is quickly turning into the new metal generation’s Pantera or Slayer. Lead singer Randy Blythe may not have the vocal range of some of the greats; but his intensity and Mark Morton insane guitar work leaves everyone in awe. The band’s ultimate work may be still yet to come; but this is pretty close.
  Key Tracks: “Walk With Me In Hell” and “Redneck”
• 4. Clipse- Hell Hath No Fury After four years away in the mix tape circuit, the Virginia Beach boys weave tales of drug dealing and the wild side of hip-hop and life more convincingly than any of their peers. The group doesn’t sit around and talk about how big their jewelry is or how much their mansion is; Clipse talks about the gritty and low-life side of the underworld. Most of hip-hop ought to be taking notes from this record.
  Key Tracks: “Wamp Wamp (What It Do)” and “Dirty Money”
• 5. My Chemical Romance- The Black Parade My Chemical Romance took a page from Green Day, and created a lavish story about the trip of death for a cancer-ridden patient. From the Queen-esque, two songs in one title track, to old T.Rex romps like “Teenagers”, the former emo poster children make good and trying to leave the much in jeopardy genre behind them and make a case to be rock stars.
  Key Tracks: “Teenagers” and “Dead!”
• 6. Wolfmother- Wolfmother The Australian trio molded the best parts of Led Zeppelin and the White Stripes and gave everyone an entertaining throwback to 70’style rock. Songs about unicorns and expansive drum and guitar solos may not be exactly what’s tearing up today’s rock charts, but it was definitely more pleasureable to listen to than the Hinders of the world.
  Key Tracks: “White Unicorn” and “The Joker & The Thief”
• 7. Gnarls Barkley- St. Elsewhere As Outkast was middling around in ragtime sounds, Gnarls Barkley stole their creative hip-hop thunder, spit on Outkast’s opening grave, and gave listeners something not heard in hip-hop... ever. From soul, to electronic, to even an old Violent Femmes cover, Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse and gave R&B and hip-hop artists a new blueprint to follow. Now, we’ll see how many follow…
  Key Tracks: “Crazy” and “Just A Thought”
• 8. Justin Timberlake- FutureSex/Love Sounds Ok, five years ago, I would have killed myself knowing I put a former NSync group member’s solo album in the Top 10, but I'll admit... things change. For the majority of this album, Timberlake and producer Timabland provides some new takes on the Top 40 sound, and creates highly satisfying material. Timberlake may echo Prince more on this record, more than the cut rate Michael Jackson wannabe from his first solo record. The ghost of NSync isn’t officially dead for Timberlake, but it’s taking a long nap in the closet.
  Key Tracks: “Damn Girl” and “LoveStoned”
• 9. Gym Class Heroes- As Cruel As School Children The most fun I had listening to a record all year! The New York alt-hip-hoppers aligned themselves with the guys in Fall Out Boy, and created some of the best singles that went unheard in 2006. It’s a damn shame these guys haven’t broke yet, but 2007 is already looking up for the group. The Gym Class Heroes have created the best hip-hop party CD in a long while.
  Key Tracks: “Clothes Off” and “The Queen And I”
• 10. The Sword- Age Of Winters I imagine these guys spent a lot of time smoking weed in Austin, Texas, and studying the old Black Sabbath CD’s note for note. On their debut record, the sludge rock band gives us chugging riffs and moody vocals. Another band that should have received a lot more attention than they did, because “Age of Winters” should only be the start of a dark and crushing trip ahead
  Key Tracks: “Iron Swan” and “Freya”

The Second Top 10 (11-20)

• 11. Trivium- The Crusade
• 12. Lupe Fiasco- Food & Liquor
• 13. Red Hot Chili Peppers- Stadium Arcadium
• 14. TV On The Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain
• 15. She Wants Revenge- She Wants Revenge
• 16. Pharrell- In My Mind
• 17. In Flames- Come Clarity
• 18. Killswitch Engage- As Daylight Dies
• 19. A.F.I.- Decemberunderground
• 20. Head Automatica- Popaganda

Art’s Celebrity I-Pod Playlist Top 10 Songs

• 1. Gnarls Barkley- “Crazy” Any detractors? One song that critics, fans and even your cool uncle could probably agree with in loving. No one expected the song to blow up the way it did, but sometimes, people do get things right.
• 2. Lamb of God- “Redneck” Yeah, it sounds a little like Pantera, but so what? We haven’t had a groove in metal like this for a while, and when Randy Blythe growls “this is a muthaf—-in’ invitation”, you can know damn well sure I’ll be at where Lamb of God is inviting me to.
• 3. AFI- “Miss Murder” Goth alt-rock gets its anthem. AFI hasn’t been much about bombast in their long career, but with “Miss Murder”, the group can show that they can give you a hook with the best of them.
• 4. Gym Class Heroes- “Clothes Off” The cover of Jermaine Stewart’s “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off” is updated for a new generation, and it is mind-blowing to me why the record company hasn’t released this sure-fire hit as a single yet.
• 5. Buckcherry- “Crazy Bitch” Sorry Motley Crue, “Girls, Girls, Girls” just got replaced as the National Strip Club Anthem by this sleazy rock gem from the resurgent Hollywood rockers. Too bad the album wasn’t all like this…
• 6. Lupe Fiasco- “Kick, Push” How many hip-hop songs do you know how that talk about skateboarding? Thought so. Lupe is proving to be very skilled behind the mic, and gets praise for going in a new direction.
• 7. Red Hot Chili Peppers- “Dani California” So good even Tom Petty wanted in on the royalities. Does “Dani California” sound like Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”? Eh, maybe, but it’s way less somber than that song ever was.
• 8. Cobra Starship- “Bring It (Snakes on A Plane”) Can you say “Guilty Pleasure”, anyone? We could have only wished that the song was speaking for how good the movie was; but we weren’t that lucky.
• 9. Panic! At The Disco- “The Only Difference” The fastest, catchiest two minutes and fifty-seven seconds all year. With a thumping electronic beat, the Vegas group showed us why they jumped from clubs to arenas this year.
• 10. Wolfmother- “Woman” Every time I sing this song, I find myself screaming “Mother” (as in the old Danzig song). But even if I screw up the lyrics, the song is still really kick ass.

Ok, that’s it for my lists for 2006. Where else are you gonna see Justin Timberlake and Lamb of God in the very same Top 10? Only in Detroit Buzz… Next week, I’m back with a 2006 yearly recap where I ponder this question as well as many others:

Why does K-Fed keep calling me and asking me to crash on my couch?

Best Holiday Wishes,

Art Hates You

P.S.: Detroit Buzz is now on MySpace; at MySpace.com/detroitbuzz. You can even tell me how much I suck.