There's just something about Basia Bulat's voice. It almost shimmers, if sounds were capable of such a thing. When she sings, there's often a delicate vibration in her stream of light, dreamy vocals. Impulsively, you search for similarities…The Cranberries' Delores O'Roidan? Joni Mitchell perhaps? But then, in another track her pitch is lower, maybe a little more powerful…Lauryn Hill? Shakira? Whomever the Canadian songstress may be compared with, she (or he) should be flattered. Britain's Rough Trade label released Bulat's debut album in 2007, but the U.S. was treated to it only just this year. Oh, My Darling showcases her forcefully gentle style amidst strings, piano and percussion. Highlights include the almost Andrew Bird-like composition of "Snakes and Ladders," the lovely and romantic "Little Waltz" and the lively, folk-rock "In the Night." With catchy songs that don't run together into a bland sameness, she's definitely an artist worthy of your attention. (Appearing with DeVotchKa at the Vic on May 9) --text: Jen Fischer--photo: Bobby Bulat

The four intriguing souls who comprise DeVotchKa read more like characters in a piece of classic literature than modern-day musicians. Collectively, their backgrounds involve a Civil War re-creationist band, Lithuanian polka musicians, an arranged Sicilian gypsy marriage, a Mexican rehab center and classical music training. Together, the quartet creates tragic but lively songs blending indie, polka, flamenco, a smattering of Spanish lyrics, dramatic tempo changes, quirky instruments and then some. Too edgy to be labeled 'world music', DeVotchKa's sound is so counterintuitive that, initially, you may reject it. But then it lures you in — and suddenly you're obsessed. DeVotchKa caught their first break with a touring burlesque group, then caught another when they scored the Academy Award-winning film Little Miss Sunshine. After more than a decade, they're at last gaining much-deserved recognition. Their latest album, A Mad & Faithful Telling (Anti), spins musical tales that captivate the spirit as well as any literary masterpiece. (Appearing with Basia Bulat at the Vic on May 9) --text: Jen Fischer

The waltz-y, sweater-wearing sweatery indie-pop darling Sarah Assbring is the sole member of El Perro Del Mar. Her music has an occasional trumpet flair but generally takes a backseat to her smooth, saddened, and constrained voice that varies only slightly. Without Sarah’s lyrics, however, the music is nothing better than pleasant. The combination between her helpless tone and her prophetic, cautionary lyrics is what separates El Perro Del Mar from the dozens of other great Swedish indie bands. Despite doo-wop throwbacks and songs about candy, it’s hard to even call her pop. Then again, her lyrical structure is about as formatted as the commercial hip-hop formula. The new 12-track disc, From The Valley To The Stars, is based on one catchy line of advice per song ("don’t cast away your inner island" is one such example) repeated and varied masterfully. The show is a likely sell-out and likely to be unlike almost any touring act you’ll see. (Appearing with Lykke Li at Schubas on May 12) --text: Joseph O’Fallon--photo: Johanna Hedborg

The Heavy is a 5-piece hip hop-influenced rock band from the United Kingdom with solid undertones of old-school R&B and funk. Claiming a spot on Counter Records, the indie band (comprised of four men and one woman) sports a lead singer who sounds like a tainted blend of Prince and Curtis Mayfield with drawbacks to '50s-style R&B and soul vocals. Influenced largely by The Stooges, the band brags retro, grimy and energetic songs. One of their featured tracks, "Coleen", sounds like a '70s theme of high-pitched, sexy verses with redundant horns and loud background beats — while the album’s final 7-minute track, "Who Needs the Sunshine?", offers up poetic, romantic lyrics and a dragging guitar riff before unexpectedly switching to freestyle guitar and rap. With their latest release, Great Vengeance & Furious Fire, The Heavy promises "filthy fucking beats", which they seem quite capable of delivering. (Appearing with Life During Wartime DJs at darkroom on May 9) --text: Jackie Bernardo

© 2008 Innerview Media, Inc.

:: developed by InfraStrategy