25. CONVERGE – No Heroes (Epitaph) Do I seriously have to spell this one out?
	24. GREG GRAFFIN – Cold As The Clay (Epitaph) This record has nothing to do with punk rock and that’s the best part. This isn’t folk punk in any way, shape, or form. Graffin has a keen ear for bluegrass and country tunes.
	23. PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS – Mercy (Abacus) This is fucking evil. There aren’t too many other ways to describe PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS’ Mercy. This is a tormented, soul-bruising, tortured experience that no other band is capable of. It’s true, there is never going to be another band like these guys.
	22. THE MODERN MACHINES – Take It Somebody! (Dirtnap) A stunning punk rock vocal performance and just the right amount of pop sensibility are the two components that were impossible to ignore in 2006. MODERN MACHINES rule.
	21. GOVERNMENT WARNING – No Moderation (Feral Ward) Yes! GOVERNMENT WARNING is the kick in the pants I think every hardcore fan needs. Sure they sound like they could’ve shared the stage with SSD but I doubt I heard anything this fresh in 2006.
	20. THE MOUNTAIN GOATS – Get Lonely (4AD) This is the lo-fi goodie of the year that I couldn’t turn away from. John Darnielle is simply an accountable songwriter that needs no more than a guitar and a studio to blow the world away.
	19. CAPITAL – Signal Corps (Iron Pier) This is the hardcore record of the year if you ask me (Adam is apparently living in a bi-annual world. See #2. -Ed). Being that I write for Pastepunk I have been well educated in the greatness of the late SILENT MAJORITY. Thus, anything that Tommy Corrigan puts his mind to will surely have my undivided attention. If you buy any record on this list I urge you to look into this.
	18. RYAN ADAMS – 29 (Lost Highway) Being the RYAN ADAMS super fan that I am I had to include this one. This record is noticeably more atmospheric than the likes of Heartbreaker or Gold. Filled with a beautiful mix of pianos and haunting vocals. Another success from Mr. Adams…big surprise.
	17. THE THERMALS – The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Sub Pop) I probably would’ve passed on putting this record on my list this year but I happened to have seen them earlier this year on tour with CURSIVE. If low-fi pop songs get your goat then THE THERMALS will surely whisk your off your feet.
	16. IRON AGE – Constant Struggle (Young Blood) IRON AGE is the year’s throwback king. Remember UNDERDOG? LEEWAY? If you do then you should have no problem getting into songs like “Fear Itself” and slobber knockers like “Balance”.
	15. MASTODON – Blood Mountain (Reprise) Blood Mountain is on just about every top list this year. There’s a multitude of reasons for that. Forget all the “new face of heavy metal” hype because these guys avoid one of the biggest pitfalls in metal today. They manage to land extremely technical blows in their songs without forgetting the importance of accessible songs. Both metal fans and musicians alike will find something to enjoy about Blood Mountain.
	14. TRAGEDY – Nerve Damage (Self-Released) Blood Mountain is on just about every top list this year. There’s a multitude of reasons for that. Forget all the “new face of heavy metal” hype because these guys avoid one of the biggest pitfalls in metal today. They manage to land extremely technical blows in their songs without forgetting the importance of accessible songs. Both metal fans and musicians alike will find something to enjoy about Blood Mountain.
	13. REGINA SPEKTOR – Begin To Hope (Sire) I wasn’t sure about putting this on my list this year but 2006 proved to be a very ambitious year for me in checking out things I would normally pass on. Also, my taste has been moving in a more folky/country/acoustic/singer/songwriter direction as of late. Ms. Spektor connected all the right dots for me on this one. Her quirky vocals and sharp melodies are good for those late nights when you just don’t feel like sleeping because your ears are being serenaded with the beautiful tunes on Begin To Hope.
	12. STRIKE ANYWHERE – Dead FM (Fat Wreck) You can file this under the “predictably good” category of 2006. The boys are a little more poppy this time around but nothing to fret over. Bottom line- If you liked them before, you’ll still have every reason to pick this up, learn all the words, go to the shows…etc. etc.
	11. DEFIANCE, OHIO – The Great Depression (No Idea) Crossover bands tread a very sketchy line. On the one hand you can have a bunch of guys masquerading as something they’re not. Seriously, if anyone thinks they’re listening to metal when they listen to an IT DIES TODAY record please feel free to e-mail me and I’ll mail you a copy of AT THE GATES Slaughter Of The Soul. On the other hand, you can have a band come through in an otherwise unfamiliar but interesting perspective. As is the case with DEFIANCE, OHIO. There’s something about the warmth of punk rock that translates really well in an acoustic format. Call it whatever you want but I had a hard time not singing along to the song “Oh Susquehanna!” even in the early hours as I drive to work. Believe me, for a bunch of smelly punks these guys and gals know how to write some catchy tunes.
	10. ARMALITE – S/T (No Idea) Even though most of you (that is, if you don’t live in or around Philadelphia) will never get a chance to see this band play. With their members spread around in various Philly bands ARMALITE is onto something much juicier than what you’d expect from a side project. What’s not to love? It’s fun pop punk played by a bunch of Philly MVP’s who listen to a ton of HUSKER DU.
	9. SONIC YOUTH – Rather Ripped (Geffen) There will never be another SONIC YOUTH. This band is beyond comparison in my book. Probably one of the most endearing standards in which to judge bands is longevity. Even at the tail end of their career, SONIC YOUTH is able to deliver another effortless blow to the universe.
	8. LATTERMAN – …We Are Still Alive (Deep Elm) It still surprises me how people continue to rip on this band. Maybe I’m easily impressed by bands doing non stop anthems loaded with enthusiasm and positivity. …We Are Still Alive is the band’s third installment into their discography and judging from the tunes on here aren’t quitting any time soon.
	7. FIFTH HOUR HERO – Not Revenge, Just A Viscious Crush (No Idea) I’ve been waiting a long time for something that nurtures my sweet tooth without leaving any cavities behind. This is an example of a record that exudes that type of balance in catchy pop craft and good ol’ palm muting punk rock. The female vocals are an amazing touch as well. Forget the Discount comparisons, this is the real deal.
	6. THE PROGRESS – Merit (Negative Progression) Modern pop punk tends to drive me up the wall. THE PROGRESS managed to help me forget about all the cheap tricks, gimmicks, and trite bullshit that the genre has been known to wade in. A true diamond in the rough.
	5. THE LOVED ONES – Keep Your Heart (Fat Wreck) Perseverance. No, not the HATEBREED record. Perseverance is the name of the game for THE LOVED ONES. They put out a record nobody thought with be this good. They pushed past all the cynics. They even laid to waste that pesky KID DYNAMITE reference. My first listen of Keep Your Heart made me picture myself pulling this record out in ten years and still rocking out to every single song. Well, it’s almost 2007 and I can’t say that I feel any different about that prediction.
	4. PINK RAZORS – Waiting To Wash Up (Robotic Empire) I fell in love with this band after seeing them earlier this year and they played a cover of Screeching Weasel’s “I Was A High School Psychopath”. Beyond that though, this record has been a consistent favorite of mine while I (and everyone else on the planet) await a new record from DILLINGER FOUR.
	3. WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE – Song Of The Blackbird (Southern) Simple, soulful, and rich. I stumbled onto this CD only a few months ago but it has dominated my iPod unrelentingly. Along with Marvin Gaye, this is the kind of music I would present to aliens from outer space if they were to ever pose the question “What is music?”.
	2. THE HOPE CONSPIRACY – Death Knows Your Name (Deathwish Inc.) This is easily the best hardcore record that came out this year. Even thought that’s not a particularly bold statement to make considering the vast amount of year end lists that this is popping up on. Plus, Dwid sings on it. Insane.
	1. SLOWRIDE – C/S (Deep Elm) Deep Elm almost always makes an appearance on my year-end list. This year it was none other than Slowride. I’ve always appreciated the band’s records from afar but it wasn’t until I sunk my teeth into C/S that I really became a fan. The band makes some of the most organic sounding rock music I’ve heard in the past few years. This isn’t 60′s revival nonsense and it doesn’t sound like some retro throwback. There’s just something infinitely comforting about the hum of vintage guitars with a crisp recording to illuminate these beautiful songs. It’s kind of like that old pair of jeans you’ve had for years and refuse to throw away because it has a stain on it from the time you spilled cranberry juice on it on your twenty-first birthday.

Best EP POLAR BEAR CLUB – The Redder, The Better - You’re insane if you don’t own this. This is so good it’s unfair that it’s not a full length. If it were, it would be number one on my list. Runners Up ENVY – Insomniac Dose DRAG THE RIVER – It’s Crazy TIM BARRY – Rivianna Junction NONE MORE BLACK – This Is Satire FUCKED UP – Hidden World RISE AND FALL – Into Oblivion PALEHORSE – Amongst The Flock THE PATH OF RESISTANCE – Can’t Stop The Truth IGNITE – Our Darkest Days The Band of 2006 that I will never be able to take (not even with the largest grain of salt) seriously: SET YOUR GOALS The album of 2005 I listened to the most in 2006: MODERN LIFE IS WAR – Witness Worst Album of 2006: CRADLE OF FILTH – Thornography