Shouldn’t take long to dispatch these eight tracks into your collective memory banks, hopefully they stick around slightly longer than their collective slight running time(s).

Underwater Calling

Lhasa De Sela – Superbly thrilled to discover this smoky thrill amongst the callow AAA chaff in our new release bin, her voice has a knowing weariness with a smooth bite not unlike well-aged liquor complete with those all-important younger years spent fermenting in a wooden container. Possible EOY Top 10?

Meg Baird – From a new Judee Sill tribute compilation that steps above the banality of such efforts. We’ve all heard source material of this quality butchered before, but a handful of contributions from Ms. Sill’s all-too-small canon create delightful surprises, especially this horn-laden take on an early tune.

Yim Yames – Speaking of covers, here comes a My Morning Jacket member doffing his metaphoric cap to the most effective member of the Beatles with some simple basement takes of expected and unexpected selections.

Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions – Anyone hoping for a Mazzy Star redux will be just as sorely disappointed with this 2nd attempt at creating smoke before fire. I won’t excoriate her for an unwillingness to revise the gothy shoegaze meme, but I will excoriate her for the lack of anything interesting whatsoever …

Amy Millan – More effective is this Stars’ 2nd go around, which accentuates the down home vibe of her first effort with a more atmospheric vibe that slightly increases the venn diagram intersection between her solo and band careers. Those hoping for Elevator Love Letter Pt. 2 will still be left wanting, just not as much so.

Desolation Wilderness – Clientele Lite effort on the K label should hold over those of us anticipating the new record for another month, complete with foggy forest atmosphere and reverb’d vocals. OK so it doesn’t have the stunning guitar, but who else north of Nick Saloman does?

Travis Caudle – Reaching back to the nostalgia of melancholy commercial pop of the late 80’s/early 90’s, this gentlemen effectively washes his genes with wistful guitars and gruff but lovable vocals in hopes of getting the rise out of a listener or two.

Division Day – Saving that finish him blow for the anchor selection, these gents have tied a rope around their waist and are now searching for life inside your pancreas. While things are murky down there not all hope is lost for treasure can be found almost anywhere you look when you mic the drums way up front.