Adult., “Gimme Trouble” (2005) Detroit’s paranoid electro freakout is as warped as it is penetrating
Brokeback, “Field Recordings from the Cook County Water Table” (1999) Doug McComb’s best work under the Brokeback moniker—textured and inventive
Califone, “Quicksand/Cradlesnakes” (2003) Avant-garde art-rock from one of the country’s best bands
Califone, “Roots & Crowns” (2006) More perfection—the cover of Psychic TV’s “The Orchids” is a must-hear
Eleventh Dream Day, “Eighth” (1997) A sonically expansive record, “Eighth” introduced a new EDD
Eleventh Dream Day, “Prairie School Freakout” (2006) A reissue of EDD’s seminal record, with the “Wayne” EP tacked on
Freakwater, “Feels Like the Third Time” (1993) Carefully constructed backwoods country that started a revolution in the Americana world
Janet Bean and the Concertina Wire, “Dragging Wonder Lake” (2003) Multi-instrumentalist Bean’s first solo endeavor, an album with an affecting sound and a staggering list of contributors on hand to help build it
John Parish, “How Animals Move” (2002) Elegant, peaceful work from an underappreciated artist
The National Trust, “Kings and Queens” (2006) A dancefloor mix of house, disco and bubblegum pop—the local duo’s efforts are infectious.
Nerves, “S/T” (1998) The kind of slaughterhouse rock ‘n’ roll that just doesn’t exist anymore
The Sea and Cake, “The Fawn” (1997) Still the much-accomplished, Sam Prekop-led band’s best album
Tortoise, “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” (1996) The influential band’s second full-length—a massive, brooding, unforgettable journey
Tortoise, “TNT” (1998) Another giant, diverse offering from the post-rock geniuses—with more electronic composition
Trans Am, “The Surveillance” (1998) Instrumental madness that borders on unhealthy paranoia (Tom Lynch)
