37. Titus Andronicus, 'Local Business'

Rather than expand on the production and complexity of 2010's stellar Civil-War-referencing concept album The Monitor, Titus opted to keep it simple on their third LP. The Jersey punks aren't hiding behind distortion or Ken Burns dialog this time around, offering up a bare-bones look at their musicianship and their lives. Singer Patrick Stickles doesn't hold back with the personal struggles on "My Eating Disorder" and then makes light of the power shock that sent him to the hospital on "Electric Man," balancing the fun and intensity exactly like they do onstage. -- Dan Reilly