Danny Echo - Danny Echo (2009)

Vancouver's Danny Echo play rock and roll that reminds me of the days when Brit pop ruled my roommates stereos -- when bands on both sides of the Atlantic were looking back to the Rolling Stones and Faces for inspiration. In the Bay Area it was Brian Jonestown Massacre and Mover. "Killing Me" expertly lifts a handful of who-who-who's from "Sympathy for the Devil". At times the lead singer's voice sounds a lot like Liam Gallagher's, especially on big dramatic ballads like "Tomorrow Today", which could be a (What's The Story) Morning Glory? B-side. All of which isn't to call them derivative. The songs are catchy, melodic, and generally a good time. In addition to the above songs, I like testy "I Can't Take It Anymore" and the twangy "Natural Disaster".

The Upsidedown - Human Destination (2008)

How you feel about the Dandy Warhols will probably influence how you feel about the Upsidedown. Like the Dandies and Brian Jonestown Massacre they mostly play psychedelic garage rock indebted to Lou Reed and the sweeter side of shoegaze bands. Hushed guy-girl vocals float over alternating rock solid and tranquil grooves, rather than being submerged in waves of distortion. This is music for chilling out - it's low on hooks, but still gets you to nod along. For the most part they avoid tedious jams by reigning the songs in around 3 minutes and mixing in a couple of solid singles: "If You Are Hell Girl" is mostly a simple but catchy chorus and "Halo" chugs along with some sweet Nugget riffs.

The Dutchess And The Duke - She's The Dutchess, He's The Duke (2008)

While I am not usually a fan of folk music, the Dutchess and the Duke add a heavy dose of the Rolling Stones' version of the blues to theirs, incorporating a sinister and snaking guitar line straight out of "Paint It Black" into "The Prisoner". A lot of the songs actually sound like acoustic versions of garage rockers, capturing that same rock n' roll snarl. That's not to say they sound unfinished. The songs are consistently pretty cool and the guy/girl harmonies create a ramshackle intimacy. Plus, they sing about fucking in a phone booth in "Strangers". "Armageddon Song" reminds me of Brian Jonestown Massacre, back when they were good, circa Thank God For Mental Illness. "I Am Just A Ghost" is another standout track. I'm excited to see them open for the Fleet Foxes.