Photo by Downlow Productions

Kris Thompson has lingered like a clove-encrusted sachet in the sock drawer of the Boston scene with time spent in BOBB TRIMBLE’S FLYING SPIDERS, THE PREFAB MESSIAHS, MAGIC SHOPPE, ABUNAI!, NISI PERIOD, TWILIGHT TIPI, CONCORD BALLET ORCHESTRA PLAYERS and THE LOTHARS. On March 10, BURGER Records and Boston’s KLYAM Records will co-release The Prefab Messiahs’ Keep Your Stupid Dreams Alive—recorded last year by Doug Tuttle and Jesse Gallagher—the band’s first new sounds in 32 freakin’ years. (Watch for the release party announcement!)

So, most of these are faves of a sort, but they’re also what I actually for-real heard the most this year. Diggit, kids! ~ K

The Human Expression – “Optical Sound” (1967)

The Factory – “Path Through The Forest” (1968)

Mind Spiders – “Skull-Eyed” (2012)

Bare Mutants – “Without You” (2012)

The Boots – “Gaby” (1966)

Merchandise – “Who Are You?” (2013)

The Raves – “Mother Nature” (1967)

Natural Snow Buildings – “They Are Still Hanging Around” (2002)

The Shades – “Ballot Bachs” (1968)

Blitz – “Teletron” (1983)