Best Local Release

Like Your Voice Repeating, several recent releases by area bands (the Get Up Kids' Guilt Show, Elevator Division's Years, Old Canes' eponymous effort) cast spells with subtle songs, the types of tunes that can dominate a room without volume or velocity. Namelessnumberheadman's second full-length album earns our ultimate nod, though, because it complements the band's sublime mood-setting capabilities with stark, minimalist melodies, ornate orchestral arrangements and everything in between. The group introduces its instrumental components in layers, establishing an appreciation for each element before building to symphonic crests. Experimental in the most accessible sense of the word, Namelessnumberheadman uses seamless sequencing to explore the sonic spectrum without sacrificing coherence.