I’m always wary of songs that have the word “Jesus” in the title. Growing up, my family attended church only a handful of times and the reasoning behind it was that we didn’t like to be preached to. It’s not that we didn’t believe anything – a common misconception of the non-believer or agnostic. It’s just that we have our own idea of what higher power means, whatever that may be.

The video for “Not In A Million Lovers” is apparently an intimate portrait of Beangrowers (MySpace) frontwoman Alison Galea. The title itself marks a potential heartbreak and evokes an ellipsis: Not in a million lovers… what? It could go either way, but ultimately the romantic in me concludes the phrase as follows: Not in a million lovers will I find someone as great as you.

Pleasant solo acoustic folk acts are a dime a dozen, but few ever break the tradition of mediocrity to reach out and above the others as they fall. Immediately, one has to think of Will Oldham and his empire of monikers. But Oldham will not reign supreme forever. Quickly approaching his trail o’ dust is David Karsten Daniels (MySpace), thanks to his — dare we call it epic — 2008 folk release Fear Of Flying.

Written by Fense
Sin Fang Bous is the most promising electro-pop artist I’ve heard in a very long time – probably since Morr (SFB’s label) released the self-titled debut by Electric President. This group hails from Iceland, but you won’t hear much of Sigur Ros or Bjork here. It’s tailored more to the likes of their label’s German headquarters.

Thomas Peter’s brainchild Cantaloup offers a vibrant and enduring stimulus with the distinctive release, On A Hill Not Far Away; it is a record engorged with antiquity, and sounding like voices in the background of a beautiful European mountain. For anyone under the impression that Germany only breeds strange techno/metal artists, you are in for a rude awakening with this one.

Written by Fense
Not all hiatuses are indefinite. That became apparent this morning when Labrador dropped in with the new Suburban Kids With Biblical Names single, “1999″. In true SKWBN form, their upcoming release is simply titled 4.

Written by Fense
My love, how I miss thee. Were I capable of poetry, words would stream onto the page like none other. They would cover it front to back, emphasizing how I hate being away from your side each and every week, away from your scent and away from you arms. It is a curse. A travesty! And I am stricken. Love will make you do crazy things, like miss the Cumulus Music Festival, which debuts on the streets of Seattle tomorrow and features …

Written by Fense
As I’m listening to Eleanor Murray, I’m thinking an interesting thought. Could this be the sister of Devendra Banhart? Her voice quavers as she sings, much like his does so often. Her music is folk (though it lacks much of the World meets 70s Folk-Rock). It is also amazingly catchy for a genre often stale and… err… flaccid.

Written by Fense
The Smittens (MySpace) fit the darker side of indie pop, a side not often heard but easily welcome. Their chord progressions are filled with minors and, while ultimately upbeat, the songs are not nearly as cheerful. This rings as true on “The Interstate” as it does on “Half My Heart Beats”, a song that is undoubtedly more upbeat and cheerful, but one that also includes several of the aforementioned darker elements.

Written by Ron Trembath
As a grand scheme of change and hope is brought upon us today, and an intense feeling of revolution is impossible to resist. Our country’s 44th president has taken office, and we will be forever changed in the most positive of ways. And one songstress who really deserves to celebrate, is the Brooklyn based folk queen Maddy Wyatt (MySpace). When President Obama announced his candidacy in 2006, Wyatt wrote, in the same year, “Man For Me (Ode to Barack)”, and her endless support and …