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Californian garage rock revivalists the Shys titled their second full length record You'll Never Understand This Band the Way That I Do, and from the way it sounds, you can't help but wonder if the band in question is the White Stripes. Between the album's heavy, blues-inspired guitars, minimalist drumming, and lead singer Kyle Krone's distinctive howl, the record could easily be packaged in red and white. But while Detroit's duo can at times err on the side of experimentalism, the Shys have taken the crunchy guitars and heavy, fuzz-filled solos, and added more traditionally poppy group choruses and catchy melodies to come out with gritty rock that is immediately accessible.

Despite the breakup of singers Cesar Alvarez and Sammy Tunis, the pair practically radiates chemistry in The Lisps' fun sing-along "Ann Marie," while drummer Eric Farber and bassist Jeremy Hoevenaar match their energy beat for beat.

Coming off like a more youthful Broken Social Scene, the Welsh band Los Campesinos! plays bratty indie-pop, with an emphasis on pop. Hold on Now, Youngster... is big on punky energy and never lets up.

Backed by just an electric guitar, folk-punk legend Billy Bragg took the stage at The Current's showcase, on the corner of 7th and Red River in Austin, Texas, for SXSW.

Hugh Masekela devoted the prime of his life to the struggle of his lifetime –- ending apartheid in South Africa. Short in stature but great in presence, Masekela has that spark that continues to engage us. Masekela's band performs a concert at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival.

These five songs are for those wishing to wallow in Valentine's Day's sheer, soul-wrecking brutality. Each has been carefully selected to provide a vivid soundtrack for those moments when alcohol isn't even necessary, so drunk is the listener on his or her own misery.

With a frenzied organ groove, the song repeatedly stops and starts on a dime, like a dance-crazy game of musical chairs. It's from an album of music for kids, but adults should appreciate it, too.

In any ongoing quest for mind-blowing music, each year brings an assortment of new left-field discoveries. KEXP's Kevin Cole offers up a selection of 13 excellent under-the-radar CDs, any of which could end up being your favorite of the year.

KUT's David Brown offers up his picks for 2007's most memorable recordings, and finds that his hometown of Austin, Tex., is well-represented. But alongside the local likes of Spoon and Okkervil River were international juggernauts like Radiohead and Amy Winehouse.