This year offered so many fine albums in the indie-rock vein that it was hard to choose just 10.

For a while there, it seemed things were looking up for Chan Marshall, but no.

Friday, March 16

12:30 p.m. Home Slice Pizza. This New York-style pizza joint in south Austin hosts a fantastic day party each year, and this year's lineup is quality.

Rap legend Heavy D passes away at the age of 44.

The Monitor by Titus Andronicus: The Concept Album We Needed

My friend Charlie recommended Titus Andronicus to me. He is a 26-year-old intellectual, although in hipster fashion would likely refute the moniker. He's preachy, kind of like everyone else about my age. Emblematic of my generation, Charlie believes voting is meaningless because campaign finance laws make the power of an individual's voice worthless. And when challenged by his father that, "You don't have a right to complain unless you vote," he responded, "Who cares anyway?"

Named for Shakespeare's bloodiest and earliest tragedy, Titus Andronicus wields an array of sonic weapons, from '90s shoe gaze guitar churn to wild punk vocals and exhilarating choruses. The New Jersey band performed live on Juxtaposition.