3. Sigh Hangman’s Hymn (The End). The veteran Japanese outfit unleashes a ghoulishly extreme firestorm of symphonic thrash-metal lunacy. Full review

4. Thurston Moore Trees Outside the Academy (Ecstatic Peace). Sonic Youth’s frontman spends a lot of time these days playing in the noise sandbox, but here he turns to poignantly moody rock songs shaded with elegant strings. Full review

5. Deerhoof Friend Opportunity (Kill Rock Stars). The fifth brilliant full-length in six years from this Bay Area art-pop trio proves that there are few more visionary outfits in contemporary rock. Full review

6. Zs Arms (Planaria). This fearsome local avant-chamber crew captures its hyperevolved methods on an ecstatic debut.

7. Rob Crow Living Well (Temporary Residence). Crazy busy lately with Pinback and a slew of side projects, San Diego songsmith Rob Crow still found time for a solo disc—the best showcase yet for his humbly exquisite guitar pop.

8. Levon Helm Dirt Farmer (Vanguard). Dirt Farmer marks the resurrection of the Band stickman’s trademark twang after a battle with throat cancer, but the disc’s deepest pleasure is savoring Helm’s bottomless drum-set groove. Full review

9. Tyshawn Sorey that/not (Firehouse 12). Jazz debuts don’t come any more ambitious than this hauntingly enigmatic double-disc set from local drummer-pianist Sorey. Full review

10. Ween La Cucaracha (Rounder). These Pennsylvania cult-pop veterans demonstrate once more that the only way to stay funny is to keep a perfectly straight face.

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