Lincoln’s Beard
“Fish Stix”
This song bats last on Lincoln Beard’s debut LP, “Our American Cousin,” but I decided Tyler Morgans unyielding wails are a good way to start the mix. Opening on a steady beat and trumpet solo, an engaging call-and-response of “Rowing my boat out to see,” enters the waters and keeps on drifting through the song. “Fish Stix” is eerily engaging because of the unique attitude the band plays with – like a beast being kept at bay – and the images the song conjures.

The New Jangles
“Break In Casually”
The Grind Coffeehouse in Vancouver may well be the house that the New Jangles built. This single — picked off their MySpace page, www.myspace.com/newjangles — showcases some barebones British invasion blues rock. A slow-to-medium pace sets a natural coffeehouse scene, where one expects Eric Burden or Colin Blunstone to show up at any time to get in on the action. Not hip enough for that? Break in casually.

The Shivas
“Big Man”
The hoppy, slingshot pace of this track, with nonstop conga backing and guitar riffs you can practically surf on, almost has me believe it lifted from a mid-century bootleg of Dick Dale jamming with Strawberry Alarm Clock. The Shivas mix classic styles of psychedelia as well as anyone I’ve heard, and this number from their album, “Where Have You Gone To?” shows off every bit of talent the kids have.

Verbtones
“Carnival of Souls (Trip Through the Catacombs)”
Our resident psycho surf rockers the Verbtones proudly wear their influences on their sleeves. For those who kick it to the ghoulish parody and good fun experimental rock, put this one on repeat for a while.

Countryside Ride
“HWY 503”
Alas, I’ve yet to catch a show by these local punkabilly heros, but I already feel like they’re the hardest working band in SW Washington. “HWY 503” is a gitty-up-and-go song about drinking whiskey and getting the hell out of town. It’s Charlie Daniels hopped up on methamphetamines, making good to the band’s moniker, “who gave these hillbillies amplifiers?”

The Ramblin Jaks
“Country Breakfast”
How are these for honky tonk lyrics – “Well it’s been an early morning / Never slept last night / Smoked too many cigarettes / And then I got into a fight. / Me and the bottle were dancing / And there was sex in the air / it’s all about romancin’…” Classic. Don’t forget the beer for the pals. It’s nice that some musician still love country music enough to keep the good traditions of Willie, Waylon and the others alive.

Vantucky Champs
“Poor Little Girl”
This song had me at “white trash women with no common sense.” For those who think power pop is for teeny-boppers only, see the Champs. A little bit alt-country, a little bit indie rock and roll, this track (like most the Champs music) is a primed for any college radio station. The sing-along dah-das and handclaps draw you in, while the upbeat tune about a helpless little girl keeps you around.

Tony Smiley
“Driving Myself Sane”
Like the rebellious lovechild of David Bowie and Morrissey, Vancouver’s loop ninja packs this title song to his 2008 album with energy, compassion and an obstinate desire to make madness sound beautiful. The song comes close to representing the power of his live shows, but not quite, because I’m not sure any studio recording can. See this guy in concert. Do it. Do it now.

Rogue Shot
“Anvil”
This anthem shreds along the lines of classic hard rock and heavy metal. It kicks into gear quickly and never looks back as it takes on the persona of harder Soundgarden moments like “Rusty Cage.” Lead vocalist Matt (last name unknown), a.k.a. Big Chief, unleashes some gutsy wails that come through clean and crisp, with enough sonic gusto to push any Vanport thrasher into the mosh pit.

SmirK
“Slipper Waltz Part I”
Playing for all of the decline of western civilization, this track is a great example of just how odd these Ridgefield rockers can be. The songs stands on some spacey territory, somewhere between Primus and the Presidents of the United States. A military drum beat and sliding guitar welcomes you in, and then the band welcomes you to the back corner of their mind and the back corner of Ridgefield — “And like most places you’ve been to / it’s better than being alone.” Someone pick up that damn phone!

Love Trucker
“It Ain’t Easy”
Love Trucker isn’t a stranger to great rock & roll songs. This one from the band’s Mother Nature EP is practically a statement song against anything and anyone in its way. Its jams like a modern take on a Faces or a Jimi Hendrix for a bit, and eventually takes off into an awesome string of rock out moments a la Raconteurs. It’s the perfect answer to any request to turn the music down.

The Tasteful Nudes
“Buford’s Last Ride”
It’s short and sweet — especially compared to some of this (sadly departed at the moment) band’s epic songs. The guitar, jangle rock of “Buford’s” is sugarcoated with some soft electro funk and recurring rattle, and slowly ventures into the unknown, making you wonder, “who the hell is Buford?”

The Catillacs
“Mean Old World”
This great, meaty cover of an Eric Clapton song is a tribute to the touted blues rock circles in the cities and off the rural highways of the Pacific Northwest. The R.L. Burnside flavored intro gives meets up with a smooth blues jam good enough to bring the roof down at Cascade Bar & Grill. Richie Bean gets his here, and plenty of it, showing off skills that places him among the top ranks of the previously mentioned circles.

Rubella Graves
“Mandolin”
Did I mention any song with Hazel Dell in it is a keeper in my book? This track has an infectious little acoustic rhythm and sets up nicely for a sing-along. It’s a great traveling folk song, inviting the listener along for the ride. “Driving north into the swell / Of traffic into Hazel Dell / I take the exit to my place / and walk into the vastness of that empty space,” sings lead vocalist Jason LeMaster. I am also grateful for his fingers dancing on those strings.

Factory Girl
“Damn Train”
This side project headed by Love Trucker’s Matt Paige and The Ramblin’ Jaks’ Chris McKinney creates some good old American roots revival. The inevitable coming of that damn train earns a moody tone, as the members harmonize over some sparse, murky guitar chords – with an intermediary knock-your-socks off solo – for a throwback to the Wild West worth taking in.