In My Humble Opinion

1. TV On the Radio
Return to Cookie Mountain
A huge, inspired album packed with a dense, trapped-in-the-eye-of-a-hurricane atmosphere.

2. Sunset Rubdown
Shut Up I Am Dreaming
Quirky in the best sense of the word, Krug and co. build enchanting melodies out of a messy and jangly amalgamation of sounds.

3. Man Man
Six Demon Bag
Oozing primal energy, Man Man are the preferred music of drunk pirates everywhere.

4. Margot And The Nuclear So and Sos
The Dust of Retreat
Impeccable songwriting and a large stable of instruments combine to create moody, evocative chamber-pop.

5. Figurines
Skeleton
Fast and furious dutchmen unleash a flurry of fantastic tracks with just enough yelp and innovation to keep it engaging.

6. Islands
Return To The Sea
Unconventionally beautiful pop.

7. His Name Is Alive
Detrola
Haunting, detached, and entirely infectious, a record for your late-night drive home.

8. Cold War Kids
Robbers and Cowards
They cut me to the core, Baxter.

9. Tap Tap
Lanzafame
They rock and flail that whiny, lo-fi, hiccupy sound that is so hot right now.

10. Girl Talk
Night Ripper
Best dance party CD, ever. (of 2006 anyway)

11. Beirut
Gulag Orkestar
Accordion-filled rock songs straight from 18th century Eastern Europe.

12. I'm From Barcelona
Let Me Introduce My Friends
Hey buddy, let's go throw a frisbee at the park and drink a juice box.

13. GhostFace Killah
Fishscale
Who would have thought Ghostface would prove the most vital and talented of the Wu-clan?

14. The Knife
Silent Shout
Spooky, hypnotic house on the rocks.

15. DJ Drama & Lil' Wayne
The Dedication 2
Can anyone resist Baby Weezy's raspy, mouth-full-of-blunt-smoke drawl? Best mixtape of 2006 also finds Weezy at his best; relaxed and funny.

16. Annuals
Be He Me
Hums, whispers and drifting hooks combine with exuberant screams and emphatic percussion to create a distinctly unique and consistently satisfying record.

17. Midlake
The Trials of Van Occupanther
70's AM rock that is warm, smooth and undeniably appealing.

18. Peter Bjorn and John
Writer's Block
Cool, understated, and entrancing pop that sets the mood for overcast winter afternoons

19. The Decemberists
The Crane Wife
Hitting their stride with this album, The Decemberists sound more assured and bold than ever; but some of thier old eccentricities are noticeably absent.

20. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Show Your Bones
Solid album that rounds off the rough edges of their previous record, resulting in a restrained and more enjoyable experience.

21. My Brightest Diamond
Bring The Workhorse
She's got some incredible pipes; simply pristine.

22. Final Fantasy
He Poos Clouds
Mini-symphonies revolving around D&D and personal torment.

23. Icy Demons
Tears Of a Clone
Sitcom soundtracks and Nintendo scores for Yetis.

24. Clipse
Hell Hath No Fury
I think these two might sell crack.

25. Herbert
Scale
Subdued and confident after-hour beats.

26. Liars
Drum's Not Dead
Whoa. Tribal drum circle, anyone?

There it is. Please, point out the glaring omisions and ridiculous inclusions.