Titus Andronicus/Summer Cannibals/Sweepyheads

Indie rockers Titus Andronicus essentially came out of nowhere in 2010 to issue The Monitor, one of the year's best reviewed albums. A concept album that's based on Civil War stories, it's a heady affair steeped in American lore. The follow-up album, Local Business, didn't generate as much as enthusiasm but songs such as "Ecco Homo" and the snotty "Food Fight!" are good punky anti-anthems. Earlier this year, the group returned with A Productive Cough, another collection of fragile tunes that show off singer Patrick Stickles' decidedly off-kilter sensibilities. (Niesel)