1. Fucked Up - Hidden World (Jade Tree)
What else can I say about this album? It lived it up to all of my expectations. This will definitely be one of those albums that will get better with age as well.

2. Man Man - Six Demon Bag (Ace Fu)
The most consistent, weird, yet immensely entertaining album I’ve heard all year. Probably one of the best live acts around too.

3. Belle And Sebastian - The Life Pursuit (Matador)
Ever become obsessed with an album, forget about it for awhile then put it back on and it’s still just as good? Yeah, that’s this one.

4. The Draft - In A Million Pieces (Epitaph)
HWM may be gone for the foreseeable future, but atleast both parties are still making excellent music. I probably listened to this record more then any other this year.

5. Toys That Kill - Shanked! (Recess)
This album is fuggin’ addictive. True pop-punk at it’s best.

6. The Hope Conspiracy - Death Knows Your Name (Deathwish)
Lead singer Kevin Baker wasn’t lying when he said his band made their best album yet.

7. Marked Men - Fix My Brain (Swami)
Everyone told me I’d love this album. Cheers to that.

8. Riverboat Gamblers - To The Confusion Of Our Enemies (Volcom)
This one kinda caught on to me late despite being released in May. Cleaner then their previous work but still good ol’ get drunk and break shit punk ‘n’ roll.

9. The Lawerence Arms - Oh! Calcutta (Fat Wreck)
First song = thumbs down. The rest = pure gold

10. Jenny Lewis And The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat (Team Love)
Please marry me.

Honorable Mentions: Armalite - Self-Titled (No Idea), Malajube - Trompe-L’oeil (Dare To Care), Fifth Hour Hero - Not Revenge..Just A Vicious Crush (No Idea) Converge - No Heroes (Epitaph), Pink Razors - Waiting To Wash Up (Robotic Empire), Sonic Youth -Rather Ripped (Geffen), Morrissey - Ringerleader Of The Tormentors (Sanctuary) Lucero - Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers (East/West), Appleseed Cast - Peregrine (Militia Group)

Best Shows/Concerts
1. Dillinger Four - The Fest V (But honestly…the whole thing was amazing)
2. Morrissey - SXSW 2006
3. Man Man - Spiegeltent
4. The Weakerthans - Webster Hall
5. Girl Talk - Mercury Lounge/CMJ 2006

Most Anticipated
Dillinger Four C I V I L W A R (Fat Wreck)
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Living With The Living (Touch And Go)
Bloc Party A Weekend In The City (Vice)
Against Me! TBA (Sire)
Also…The Ergs, The Stooges, Modest Mouse, Jesu

Tags: best of, staff //