Not surprisingly, this list is filled with EPs by quite a few bands you know and quite a few you probably don’t. Of the ones you don’t know, many are likely from Washington; a quick count leaves me with five bands, or 1/4 of this list. Many of these bands I consider among the most promising artists to surface in 2009. All are worth checking out, and you’ll want to keep an eye on them as we head into 2010.

Erich said, You gotta check out this band; you gotta review their EP. End paraphrase. Having recently noted the band’s signing to Barsuk, it seemed the logical next step. In anticipation of that future record, slated for an early 2010 release, it just made sense. Besides, there’s substantial overlap between the self-titled EP and the pending full-length, Eyelid Movies. Of the five tracks on the EP, four find their way onto that album of eleven total songs. I’m here to say that the EP …

New York’s Phantogram — that’s Saratoga Springs, NY, not NYC — has signed to Barsuk Records and will release Eyelid Movies in February of 2010. Phantogram’s music is filled with synth lines fit for shoegaze, electronic beats that hint of a hip hop influence, and lovable pop vocals.