An album is a collection of recorded music, typically containing several songs, released in physical or digital format The year 2006 was a remarkable one for album releases, as several popular artists released highly acclaimed works. In the following essay, we will explore the major themes and styles present in 2006 albums, as well as five examples of some of the best releases from the year.
2006 saw the rising popularity of several genres of music, with Hip-Hop and Pop music being the two biggest contributors. Hip-hop albums by the likes of T.I.'s 'King' and The Roots’ 'Game Theory' were popular amongst fans and critics alike, while Pop releases such as Justin Timberlake’s 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' and Shakira's 'Oral Fixation Vol.2' appealed to a wider audience. On the other hand, Rock music also had a strong presence in 2006, with albums like 'Stadium Arcadium' by Red Hot Chili Peppers and 'Sam’s Town' by The Killers.
Here are five of the best albums released in 2006:
1. Gnarls Barkley - 'St. Elsewhere': The debut album by Gnarls Barkley, a collaboration between the rapper Cee-Lo Green and the producer Danger Mouse, was a commercial and critical success. It spawned the hit single 'Crazy', which would become the first single to ever reach Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart on the strength of downloads only. It also featured the single 'Smiley Faces', which was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
2. Muse - 'Black Holes and Revelations': Released in July 2006, this album by the British rock band Muse pushed the boundaries of the genre. It featured their hit single 'Supermassive Black Hole', as well as the politically charged track 'Take a Bow'. Muse toured extensively in support of the album, which was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in over ten countries, including the US and UK.
3. Lily Allen - 'Alright, Still': The debut album by English singer-songwriter Lily Allen, 'Alright, Still' was released in July 2006 and was a commercial success. It featured the singles 'Smile' and 'LDN', both of which peaked in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. The album also won her a Brit Award for 'British Female Solo Artist' in 2007.
4. Arctic Monkeys - 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not': This was the debut album by the English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released in January 2006. It was an instant hit, receiving universal acclaim from critics and being the fastest-selling debut album in UK Chart history. It featured the singles 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' and 'When the Sun Goes Down', which both reached the top of the UK Singles Chart.
5. The Kooks - 'Inside In/Inside Out': This was the debut album from the English indie rock band, The Kooks. It was released in January 2006 and spawned the singles 'She Moves in Her Own Way' and 'Ooh La', which both reached the top 10 in the UK Singles Chart. The album also received highly positive reviews from critics and was certified platinum in the UK for selling over 300,000 copies.
Overall, 2006 was a banner year for album releases, with a wide range of genres being represented, from Pop and Hip-Hop to Rock and Indie. The above five albums are just a few examples of the many great albums released in 2006 and are excellent examples of the music of the year.