In the spirit of year-end roundups, here are 10 of This Little Underground’s fave-rave albums that came out locally this year. Argue amongst yourselves.

And while you’re at it, check out Bao’s annual list of Undie Award honors …

[content-1]

Watts, Retribution

What we said:

“With only a couple of singles to their name so far, that red-hot street cred is built almost entirely on their live shows, which are volcanic affairs that incite some of the most extreme pits around. Now get ready, punks, because Watts just dropped their first-ever collection and it lands like a grenade.” Credit: Photo by Hannah Howells
Virginity, Bad Jazz What we said: “While they’ve long described themselves as a ‘rock band just trying to be Superdrag,’ this is the album where Virginity have pulled it together to finally validate that, and it’s a jackpot for those who like their melodies as big as their guitars.” Credit: Photo by Miranda Jayne
Thrull release new mini-album ‘Hard Mental Reset’ Credit: Courtesy photo
Wahid, They All Go Mad! What we said: “The eight-song collection is Wahid’s second release this year on tastemaking L.A. label Innovative Leisure. Both it and its predecessor — the Feast, by Ravens EP — are Wahid’s first works since Seeyousoon’s implosion, and they openly bear the wounds. If the previous EP was Wahid coming to terms and finding his sea legs again, They All Go Mad! is him back at the helm with full sails and a vengeance.” Credit: photo by Oscar de Jesus
Shampoo Tears, Tidal Wave What we said: “The guitars — immaculately pretty, almost twee and very British — still coax with gentle strokes in soft focus. The light electronic touches continue to lull with airy washes of translucence. But Tidal Wave is already an evolution for Shampoo Tears. The band’s subtle aura is drawn this time with greater fineness.” Credit: Photo by Agnes Haus
Warm Frames, Pink Wax What we said: “Warm Frames’ music is still an exhilarating freefall of punk, noise rock and no wave. But, from the songs to the playing to the production, there’s a new level of legibility in these six hit-and-run songs that renders their attack with sharper point. Like lightning in a bottle, Pink Wax is a head-on collision of arty cacophony and Stooges-esque animalism that manages to be simultaneously feral and focused.” Credit: Photo by Luis Velasco
Black Wick, Serial Thriller U.S.A. What we said: “Across the 12 tracks of Serial Thriller U.S.A., Black Wick weaves choice clips from these interviews into his signature web of melted sounds and creeping beats. Like a nightmarish swirl of Kafka and Dalí, this is psych-ward hip-hop that packs some of the most mental sample work since early Meat Beat Manifesto.” Credit: Photo by Matthew Moyer
Beautiful Chorus release ‘High Frequency Love Music’ Credit: Courtesy photo
Tele + the Ghost of Our Lord, Spite the Moon What we said: “‘Spite the Moon’ ambles and twangs through a twilight ride in an easy cowboy trot with some of Kamm’s most forthright and wistful crooning yet. ‘Fall Asleep on the Forest Floor,’ on the other hand, is a lovely rural instrumental that’s a perfect campfire lullaby.” Credit: Courtesy photo
M.A.C.E., In Your Face What we said: “The six-song In Your Face EP is a classic hardcore storm that hits like a blitz of tornadoes, with only one song piercing the two-minute mark. Moreover, with song titles like ‘Bodily Autonomy,’ ‘To Demean and Deject’ and the cleverly named ‘November Pain,’ their political edge is as plainspoken as it is pointed.” Credit: Rose McGiggles

Music columnist.