The 25 best albums of 2006

6 November 2023, 15:00

Let's head back to the year of Arctic Monkeys, Empire, Sam's Town, Back In Black and Black Holes and Revelations.

1. The Strokes - First Impressions Of Earth: released 9th January 2006

   The third album by the New Yorkers featured the tracks You Only Live Once and Juicebox.

   

2. The Kooks - Inside In/Inside Out: released 23rd January 2006

   The debut album from the Brighton band featured the classics Naïve, She Moves In Her Own Way and Ooh La.

   

3. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not: released 23rd January 2006

   One of the greatest debut albums of recent times made its appearance - it boasted the singles I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor, The View From The Afternoon, Fake Tales Of San Francisco and When The Sun Goes Down.

   

4. The Gossip - Standing In The Way of Control: released 24th January 2006

   Beth Ditto and co released their debut album, featuring the all-time classic title track.

   

5. Placebo - Meds: released 13th March 2006

   The fifth studio album from Brian Molko and co included the hits Because I Want You, Song To Say Goodbye, Infra-Red and Meds.

   

6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones: released 22nd March 2006

   The NYC trio's second album featured the fantastic hit Gold Lion.

   

7. The Streets - The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living: released 10th April 2006

   Mike Skinner's third album included Prangin' Out and When You Wasn't Famous.

   

8. Gnarls Barkley - St Elsewhere: released 24th April 2006

   The debut album from CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse featured the huge hit Crazy.

   

9. Snow Patrol - Eyes Open: released 1st May 2006

   The band's fourth album included the classic Chasing Cars, Hands Open and the collaboration with Martha Wainwright, Set The Fire To The Third Bar.

   

10. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium: released 5th May 2006

    The LA rockers' ninth studio album was a double that included Dani California, Tell Me Baby, Snow (Hey Oh), Desecration Smile and Hump de Bump.

    

11. Dirty Pretty Things - Waterloo To Anywhere: released 8th May 2006

    Carl Barât's post Libertines project issued their debut album, which included the hit Bang Bang You're Dead.

    

12. Hot Chip - The Warning: released 22nd May 2006

    Putney's finest released their second album, which included the classic Over And Over, plus And I Was A Boy From School and Colours.

    

13. Primal Scream - Riot City Blues: released 5th June 2006

    Bobby Gillespie's crew issued their eighth studio album, which included the all-time classic Country Girl.

    

14. Keane - Under The Iron Sea: released 12th June 2006

    The band's second album included Is It Any Wonder and Crystal Ball.

    

15. The Automatic - Not Accepted Anywhere: released 19th June 2006

    The debut album from the Welsh band included the tracks Monster, Raoul and Recover.

    

16. Muse - Black Holes And Revelations: released 3rd July 2006

    The trio's fourth album featured the classic's Starlight, Supermassive Black Hole, Knights Of Cydonia and Invincible.

    

17. Lily Allen - Alright, Still: released 13th July 2006

    Lily Rose's acclaimed debut included the hits Smile, LDN and Alfie.

    

18. Thom Yorke - The Eraser: released 10th July 2006

    The debut solo album from the Radiohead man featured the compelling track Harrowdown Hill.

    

19. Paolo Nutini - These Streets: released 17th July 2006

    The debut album from the Scottish singer-songwriter included the hit single Last Request, plus the favourite Jenny Don't Be Hasty.

    

20. Razorlight - Razorlight: released 17th July 2006

    The second album from Johnny Borrell, Andy Burrows and co included their biggest hit America, In The Morning, Before I Fall To Pieces and Can't Stop This Feeling I've Got.

    

21. Kasabian - Empire: released 28th August 2006

    The second album by the Leicester lads featured the BIG tunes Shoot The Runner and the title track.

    

22. The Fratellis - Costello Music: released 11th September 2006

    The debut album from the Scottish indie rockers included the favourites Whistle For The Choir and Chelsea Dagger.

    

23. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black: released 27th October 2006

    Lady Winehouse's second album tragically turned out to be her last. The LP included the title track, Rehab and Love Is A Losing Game.

    

24. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade: released 23rd October 2006

    Gerard Way's dark lords released their biggest album, which included Welcome To The Black Parade, I Don't Love You and Famous Last Words.

    

25. The Killers - Sam's Town: released 2nd October 2006

    The second album from Brandon Flowers and co featured When You Were Young, Read My Mind and For Reasons Unknown.