"We All Wander" compilation by Americana Project students (Submitted photo)

From bat decapitation to run-of-the-mill trashed hotel rooms, musicians historically know a thing or two about bad behavior. Putting off your Christmas shopping until right now, this minute, probably isn’t in the same league as your Ozzy Osbournes and Keith Richardses, but it’s not exactly good, either, is it?

But no shame here, fellow procrastinating music lover — local musicians have you covered. Our music scene has been hard at work all year releasing new sounds for your ears to enjoy, and this reporter has been hard at work (we guess it’s considered work) finding them all for you.

Let’s kill two birds with one stone: The following list of stocking stuffers can also double as a local-music year in review. Most of these albums can be found on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp or the online retailer/streaming service of your choice, or in the locals-only bins at Ranch Records and Recycle Music. And of course, they’re directly available from the bands themselves. (Need we once again tell you, go see a show?)

Rockin’ around the 
Christmas tree

“Supple Rock,” Woebegone (January, self-released): Larry and His Flask came back in a big way this year, and is currently hard at work on its first studio album in almost five years. But before that’s out, revisit this LAHF side project’s hard-hitting debut, a mix of Beatle-esque melodicism and Zep crunch that embraces your ears like a warm, fuzzy, classic-rock hug. As we said in our review in January, “This is comfort music for a decidedly uncomfortable era in American — and human — history.”

Key tracks: “Old Fashioned Way,” “Long Run”

“To the Moon and Back,” Streetlight Moon (July, self-released): Streetlight Moon started life in 2016 as a Led Zeppelin tribute band, and that influence is writ large all over its debut album. But “To the Moon and Back” is no one-trick pony. Over these nine tracks, the quartet combines thoughtful lyrics, muscular playing and a knack for anthemic choruses (not to mention one hell of a vocalist in Stephanie Slade) and touches on hardcore punk, new wave and power pop.

Key tracks: “I Want You,” “Sweet Runaway”

The roots of the holiday

“A Little After Midnight,” Moon Mountain Ramblers (December 2016, self-released): These 15-plus-year veterans of the scene sounded as energetic as ever on their fifth studio album and first in six years. The album’s 13 tracks mash up Western swing, country, Middle Eastern flair, instrumental jigs and of course, plenty of bluegrass into what is by now Moon Mountain’s calling-card sound. Main songwriter Matthew “Mai” Hyman is equally comfortable singing upbeat back-porch pickers and emotionally bare ballads, while fiddler Jenny Wasson is the group’s instrumental secret weapon.

Key tracks: “Searchin’,” “Hare That Bit the Dawg”

“The Big One,” Downhill Ryder (May, self-released): Not long after dropping “The Big One,” Downhill Ryder frontwoman Kim Kelley moved to Colorado. Listening back to the seven-track album now is a reminder of just how much talent the city lost. Building on its self-titled 2014 debut, the band opens up the songwriting with extended guitar jams and gritty harmonies courtesy of Kelley and percussionist (and now frontwoman) Lynda Beauchamp. The results are at once familiar and fresh — a roots-rock record with some edge, something that feels increasingly rare in the genre’s millennial over-saturation.

Key tracks: “Cycle of Life,” “Mirror, Mirror”

Modern sounds

“Queen of the Night,” Signal Bath (April, self-released): Former Empty Space Orchestra guitarist Shane Thomas has been at the forefront of Bend’s electronic music scene for a number of years with his Beat Lab Radio shows at The Capitol. With this six-song debut EP under the Signal Bath name, he proves his influence isn’t just behind the scenes. Emphasizing atmosphere over dance-able beats and combining live guitar with trippy, swirling electronics, Thomas creates a deeply evocative, at times disturbing listening experience that deserves to be taken in as a whole.

Key tracks: “Commitment To,” “Gallimimus”

“Fire & Diamonds,” Meekoh (March, self-released): Michael Lewis “Meekoh” Martinez continued his journey from downtown Bend busker to pop juggernaut (now based in Los Angeles) on this six-song follow-up to his 2015 breakout album, “Evolve.” In a genre saturated with studio trickery and cookie-cutter writing, “Fire & Diamonds” stands out. Each track builds on Meekoh’s deft acoustic skeletons, honeyed harmonies and yearning lyrics, while producer Jason Mater strikes just the right balance between organic and modern. Along the way, they find room for Santana-esque Latin rock, funky hip-hop and heart-on-sleeve slow burners.

Key tracks: “Flames,” “Fire and Diamonds”

Dance away the holiday blues

“From Zero,” Indubious (July, Righteous Sound Productions): Born with cystic fibrosis, bandleaders and brothers Spencer and Evan Burton were once told they had only until age 18 to live (Bendite Evan underwent a successful double lung transplant in 2011). Now in their early 30s, the brothers continue to stare down their demons with positive vibes and irie riddims on Indubious’ fourth studio album. Featuring guest spots from reggae legend Vaughn Benjamin, Sizzla Kalonji and Zahira, “From Zero” is an hour-plus celebration of life, love and friendship, overflowing with hooks and marked by strong production from the brothers that recalls reggae’s past while pointing to its electronic-tinged present and future.

Key tracks: “Don’t Lose Sleep,” “Perfect”

“Astrolabos,” G Bots and the Journeymen (December, self-released): The debut album from singer-songwriter Greg Botsford and company comes after seven years of musical evolution, and it shows. Recorded at Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir’s TRI Studios, these 10 songs find an exuberant quartet stretching its wings on funk, soul, rock, hip-hop and pop. Botsford’s writing, playing and singing have all grown by leaps and bounds from his 2010 solo album, “Dreamtime,” and the band provides plenty of nuance and muscle to make the stories in Botsford’s lyrics stick.

Key tracks: “Gypsy Blue,” “Endure”

The next generation

“We All Wander,” 2017 Americana Project (Sisters Folk Festival): Every year, Sisters High School students in Sisters Folk Festival’s Americana Project write and record a CD of original music. This year’s volume, “We All Wander,” is another testament to the talent to be found in Central Oregon, of all ages and walks of life. These 15 stripped-down, acoustic recordings, produced by local musician Brent Alan, keep the focus on song craft while capturing a number of stunning performances along the way. Local music fans would be wise to watch for all the names on this CD in the future, if past Americana Project successes are any indication (Portland’s The Weather Machine and Sisters songwriter Raman Ellis come to mind in recent years). (Call the Sisters Folk Festival organization at 541-549-4979 or visit sistersfolkfestival.org.)

Key tracks: “Mind Locked,” Anna Bartlett; “Build Me a Wall,” Alana Lukens

Wild cards

(AKA this reviewer’s personal favorite local releases singled out for all posterity because, quite frankly, he can.)

“War of Love EP,” AM Clouds (August, self-released): I don’t care if it’s only three songs, it’s still my favorite local release of 2017. These musical veterans from Portland and California, led by singer-songwriter Bruce Moon, recall Big Star in their songwriting, while the delivery is pure ’90s Northwest alt-rock boom.

Key tracks: Really? It’s three songs. The whole thing, dude!

“Familia,” ¡Chiringa! (June, self-released): Bend’s long-running Latin dance/rock band upped the ante on its debut studio album, which features the group’s first original songs.

Frontwoman Shireen Amini’s songwriting combines the traditional sounds ¡Chiringa! has spent the last five-plus years exploring with her own fiery, socially conscious streak.

Over the course of nine tracks, Amini and the band deliver some of the most jaw-dropping playing on a local record this year (even with some pretty rocking, guitar-heavy local releases, “Familia” has my vote for local guitar album of the year).

Key tracks: “When You Wake,” “Sheila E.”