Nick Schurk's Top Ten Albums of 2006

It's safe to say that this isn't the album diehard fans of the Killers' first album, Hot Fuss, were expecting. Buzz about lead singer Brandon Flowers' obsession with rock legend Bruce Springsteen had many doubting this sophomore effort months before its first single was released. But the Killers shocked quite a few by proving the glitz of Las Vegas glam rock could coexist with the Americana of Born to Run.

2. Eagles of Death Metal - Death by Sexy (Downtown)

Sleazy and chauvinistic are two words thrown around quite a bit when describing EoDM's act. But as anyone who's ever heard frontman Jesse "The Devil" Hughes describe his moustache as "a boomerang of love" knows that it is just that, an act. On Death by Sexy, their second album, Hughes and drummer Josh Homme (also a member of Queens of the Stone Age) return with 13 tracks of the catchiest, strip club-worthy rock and roll around.

3. The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers (XL)

In what may be the best rock and roll super group since Damn Yankees (file under: sarcasm) White Stripes guitar slinger Jack White has joined forces with friend Brendan Benson and the Greenhornes' Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence. While they may have initially been carried by White's involvement, the Raconteurs gained legitimate standing in the music world with this musically diverse first album.

4. Mason Jennings -Bone Clouds (Glacial Pace)

It was somewhat of a surprise when Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock took acoustic rocker Mason Jennings under his wing, but the partnership worked out for both in the end. Jennings got a mentor who helped him expand his songwriting skills (instrumentally and lyrically) and Brock got a grade-A artist to help launch his Glacial Pace label. Bone Clouds is proof that Jennings wants to be more than an indie version of Jack Johnson.

5. Old Crow Medicine Show - Big Iron World (Nettwerk)

Tongue in cheek country at its best. More artists from Nashville would probably write lyrics this clever and instrumental arrangements this catchy if CMT hadn't decided to erase all memory of what the genre used to be.

6. Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche: Outtakes & Extras from the Illinois Album (Asthmatic Kitty)

While the Avalanche can't compare to Illinois, Sufjan Stevens' sublime 2005 release, it is a welcome addition to his 50 states project. Stevens continues his masterful instrumental arrangements with tracks like "The Henney Buggy Band" and clever-yet-bizarre lyrics and themes in "Adlai Stevenson" and others. As with most b-sides, the Avalanche is but a footnote on a much more grandiose career, but it should hold fans over until the next album in the series.

7. Beck - The Information (Interscope)

It was a surprise to see Beck return so soon after the release of last year's Guero. The Information is similar enough to it's predecessor to be considered a sister piece, yet different enough to have faith that everybody's favorite singing Scientologist hasn't fallen into a rut. Add in the "design your own album cover" sticker pack and you've got a project only weird enough for Beck.

8. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (Capitol)

Every band needs to step out of their comfort zone every once and a while. Luckily for the Decemberists, their decision to step away from their familiar chamber pop arrangements to briefly explore a prog sound had a favorable result. While the new sound works, here's hoping that Colin Meloy and the band eventually return to the neo-folk tunes about prostitutes and sailors fans know and love.

9. Robert Pollard - From a Compound Eye (Merge)

It's hard to mourn the 2004 loss of indie rock staple Guided by Voices. While the GBV lineup may be gone, the band's fearless leader, Robert Pollard, can still be expected to crank out album after album of his genius, lo-fi, impossible-to-interpret music.

10. Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint - The River in Reverse (Verve Forecast)

A collection of New Orleans style R&B dedicated to the people affected by Hurricane Katrina, this album contains several new songs penned by Costello, but really shines during new takes on classic Toussaint works. The River in Reverse is one of the year's best collaborative efforts.