What do you think was the best song of the year? For more of the year in music, visit the Detroit News Music Blog at If the music industry wasn't in a state of emergency before 2006, it certainly is as we head into 2007.
The year's best-selling album was the soundtrack to the Disney Channel's "High School Musical," but that's not even the scary part.
Nope, that would be the fact that "High School Musical" sold a mere 3.5 million copies to win that honor. In comparison, Mariah Carey and 50 Cent each sold 4.
8 million copies of their respective albums in 2005, and even those were a far cry from the nearly 8 million albums Usher's "Confessions" sold in 2004.
CD sales continue to drop as consumers have been given more options and opportunities for discovering new music -- music blogs, satellite radio, etc. -- and for the first time, sales of digital tracks are on a pace to outsell CDs.
Creatively, there were a number of standouts in 2006. A pair of hip-hop oddballs banded together and had everyone going "Crazy" for the year's most unavoidable hit, while embattled country trio the Dixie Chicks emerged stronger than ever after going to war with its fanbase, country music and no less than the president of the United States.
Here's my look at the best of the year in music, 2006.
1. Dixie Chicks, 'Taking the Long Way'
The country trio gracefully left "the Incident" - lead singer Natalie Maines telling a London audience she's ashamed she shares a home state with President Bush - behind and got on with the business of making beautiful, harmonious music together. Lovely, amazing and inspiring.
2. Johnny Cash, 'American V: A Hundred Highways'
Recorded in Cash's final days, "American V" finds the Man in Black heartbroken from the loss of his wife and ultimately embracing his inevitable end. As stark an album as you're ever likely to encounter.
3. Clipse, 'Hell Hath No Fury'
Sparse beats, bone-chilling rhymes and a creeping sense of dread that approaches strangulation. Slanging 'cane has never sounded less fun - or more gripping.
4. The Strokes, 'First Impressions of Earth'
Lead singer Julian Casablancas finally ditched the voicebox, and his New York City bandmates revealed layers of depth most didn't know they had in them.
5.
Ghostface Killah, 'Fishscale'
Ghost is the most breathless, cinematic rapper in the game, spitting gritty, humor-filled tales of street life while constantly daring you to keep up with him. Go ahead and try.
6.
The Fags, 'Light 'Em Up'
The Detroit rock trio may have lost its major label deal with Sire, but it still turned in the year's most electrifying power-pop record. Sire's loss, our gain.
7.
My Morning Jacket, 'Okonokos'
This double live set served as the best showcase yet for the longhaired Kentucky rockers, whose studio work pales in comparison with their jam-tastic live shows.
8. Gnarls Barkley, 'St.
Elsewhere'
This maddeningly inventive, genre-defying head-trip reintroduced America to Cee-Lo Green, who found his champion in fellow hip-hop outsider Danger Mouse.
9. John Legend, 'Once Again'
R B crooner eschewed hip-hop cameos and found his sweet spot: in soulful, '70s-style pop and intimate balladry.
10. Tom Petty, 'Highway Companion'
The veteran rocker returned with his most vital work in years, a wistful soundtrack for America's roadways.
My Chemical Romance, "Welcome to the Black Parade"; Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Stadium Arcadium"; The Game, "Doctor's Advocate.
"
1. My Chemical Romance, 'Welcome to the Black Parade'
"Bohemian Rhapsody" for the MySpace generation, it was the year's most adventurous, bold and completely over-the-top epic.
2.
Justin Timberlake featuring T.I., 'My Love'
Timberlake's voice melted over Timbaland's stuttering, otherworldly beat, which sounded straight out of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
"
3. Gnarls Barkley, 'Crazy'
The year's most ubiquitous anthem was covered by everyone from the Raconteurs to Nelly Furtado to you, in your car and in your shower all summer long.
4.
Arctic Monkeys, 'A Certain Romance'
Mega-hyped Brits explained how childhood friends are held to a different (read: lower) set of standards than everyone else. Immortalized on "SNL" when, mid-song, Alex Turner called out at an unidentified audience member, "That man just yawned"
5. Mates of State, 'Fraud in the '80s'
Husband-wife team Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner crafted a perfect piece of indie-pop, which, as the song goes, you will certainly find "pleasing to your ears.
"
6. T.I.
, 'What You Know'
The Atlanta rapper got regal over a glacial synth beat, sampling what sounds like Andrew Dice Clay's infamous "Oh" along the way.
7. Lady Sovereign, 'Love Me or Hate Me'
The British, female answer to Eminem's "My Name Is.
"
8. Phoenix, 'Rally'/ 'Long Distance Call'
Phoenix is France's best export since fries, and these two shimmering songs - which I couldn't bring myself to choose between - expertly showcased the band's penchant for irresistible pop hooks.
9.
Obie Trice, 'Cry Now'
Obie Trice sought revenge against his assailants over a bed of squealing horns and a sped-up sample of Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Blind Man."
10. The Killers, 'When You Were Young'
Ambitious bid for superstardom with a sound as vast and expansive as the Nevada desert.
Regina Spektor, "Fidelity"; John Legend, "Save Room"; Deftones, "Cherry Waves."
Copyright 2007 The Detroit News. All rights reserved.
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