10 Albums Turning 10 This Year

Hi everyone! 

Today on the blog, my job is to make you feel old as heck and remind you of 10 albums that came out in 2006. Yes, 2006 was 10 years ago. As they say in the Rocky Horror Picture Show "time is fleeting".  Who would have thought that some of these albums would go on to be so iconic in our lives. For most, these albums came around when we were in middle school, for others, they were soundtracks to high school, or even for some others, there are people a bit too young to remember the legacy some of these records had but have now cherished.

Let's begin, shall we?

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium

Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been on the scene since the late 1980s and saw great success in the early '90s, but success was prominent yet again in 2006 with the release of their ninth studio album, Stadium Arcadium. This album was the biggest experimentation with the band yet. Releasing a double disc album full of slow songs or up-tempo funk songs, it was a great and very memorable album for most. This record was also most notably the last one to feature guitarist John Frusciante before his departure in 2009. The album featured well received singles like Dani California and Tell Me Baby.

Dixie Chicks: Taking the Long Way

Image courtesy Dixiechicks.com

Image courtesy Dixiechicks.com

Anyone who was alive before this album came out, were well aware of the Dixie Chicks. Even if you weren't a massive country fan, there music was hard to miss. It was encouraging to see three women making and writing their own music that was getting radio play and media coverage. Essentially, they were America's Sweethearts. Anyone who was alive before this album came out will also remember the massive controversy they suffered on their previous tour. On one of their London dates in 2003, lead singer Natalie Maines made a comment about how they were ashamed that the president at the time (George Bush Jr.) was from Texas, where the girls originated from. After that, the girls lost radio play, protests were held where their CDs destroyed. In response, came their seventh album Taking the Long Way which featured the song Not Ready to Make Nice a fierce reminder that forgiveness is good, but we are not forgetting. 

Three Days Grace: One X

Photo courtesy amazon.com

Photo courtesy amazon.com

Easily their most mature record to date, Three Days Grace released their sophmore album One X ten years ago this summer. After lead singer Adam Gontier was released from rehab after a drug addiction, he found new inspiration for the band. Containing a lot of dark content, Three Days Grace covered things from personal struggle, to inner demons, to finding love and life again. This album featured monster hits like Animal I've Become and Pain. The album went double platinum in Canada and platinum in the US.   

Cute Is What We Aim For: The Same Old Blood Rush With a New Touch

Photo courtesy wikipedia.org

Photo courtesy wikipedia.org

Cute is What We Aim For were one of those bands that you may or may not have heard of. They followed under the same regieme of pop-punk/Warped tour aesthetic and had a great online following. Their debut album featured songs like Curse of Curves and Newport Living. Given that they weren't nearly as popular when they first came out, they managed to generate 13,000 sales in its first week, beating out Panic! at the Disco's debut album which came out the previous year.

Billy Talent: II

Photo courtesy amazon.ca

Photo courtesy amazon.ca

2006 saw the follow up to Billy Talent's self-titled album. Conveniently titled "II", this album explored a lot of different artistic avenues for the band. Not only was there a bit less of the scremo, but the band took on different subject matter like love and self-depiction while still carrying the anti-political torch. Billy Talent pushed the boundaries with songs like Red Flag, Devil in a Midnight Mass, and even bringing out a ballad, Surrender. It would seem that this would be the start of the changes that Billy Talent went for. Each album after showed constant progression and maturity, and overall the growth of a great Canadian band. 

Lily Allen: Alright, Still

Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

Ten years ago this year Lily Allen came on the scene with her debut album. Alright, Still was the first we saw from the British singer/songwriter. Having gained notable attention on Myspace with songs like Smile and Alfie her crass lyrics and 'not give a damn' attitude. made her stick out from other pop artists at the time.

Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds

Photo courtesy allmusic.com

Photo courtesy allmusic.com

In 2006, the pop world was blown away by an album from a guy who went by JT. Justin Timberlake released his sophmore album FutureSex/LoveSounds ten years ago this fall. That's right, we've been bringing SexyBack for TEN YEARS NOW! The album, produced by Rick Rubin and Timberland among others was a smash hit on the charts. With singles like SexyBack, My Love, and the seven minute track What Goes Around Comes Around, these songs showed a new side to Timberlake further separating him from his N'Sync days. Influences include Michael Jackson, late INXS, David Bowie, and Prince. In its first week, the album sold 684,000 copies and became the 18th best selling album of 2006. Undoubtedly it has gone on to be one of the most well received record to date. 

My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade

Photo courtesy wikipedia.org

Photo courtesy wikipedia.org

Yes, that is correct, this year will mark 10 years since we went to the city to see a marching band. My Chemical Romance released their follow up to the 2004 hit Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge with a beautiful yet haunting concept album. Following the story of a man who dies and follows the parade in death, The Black Parade became an instant hit. Following with singles like Welcome to the Black Parade, Teenagers, and I Don't Love You, if MCR wasn't already a well known band, they certainly gained a new following after the release of this album.  

Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift

Photo courtesy wikipedia.org

Photo courtesy wikipedia.org

It's hard to believe that a decade has past since the world first heard of Taylor Swift. Back in the day, before she became an international pop sensation selling out stadiums everywhere, she was a wide eyed 16 year old who wore cowboy boots and frilly dresses and sang about high school sweethearts. The then teenager released her debut album in the fall of 2006 with her lead single Tim McGraw gaining play on country radio. She'd later follow with Teardrops on My Guitar, Picture to Burn, and Our Song. After that, you could say the rest is history! 

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black

Photo courtesy wikipedia.org

Photo courtesy wikipedia.org

Now easily one of music's most iconic records, Amy Winehouse was thrusted into the spotlight with her second studio album. Produced by Mark Ronson (Yup same guy who put out Uptown Funk), Back to Black found a profound amount of success featuring singles like the title track, Rehab, and You Know I'm No Good. As well she took the 2008 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album beating out artists like Feist and Christina Aguilera And although this was the last time we would hear music from Ms. Winehouse, her legacy lived on through her music and her true craftsmanship. 

Those are just some of the albums turning 10 this year. What's some of your favourite old records? Thoughts on the growth of some of these artists? Let me know!