In the last year, bands in Seattle and across the Northwest have taken off in exuberant new directions. Changes have taken place so quickly that it has been hard for even the most dedicated follower of music fashion to keep up. The following list is our humble attempt to clue you in on the best kept secrets in what was once the world's most over-hyped music scene.

Acetylene – Their new album, Which Way From Up, is a sheer pleasure. Stephanie and Co. rocked their last show and deserved every single cheer. They are on their way. (Stephanie Pure)

Alien Crime Syndicate - This band's CD release party took place at the Crocodile but could have gone down at the Mercer Arena! I'm talking full on rock show, lights, fire, lasers, go go dancers, giant sideburns... Okay maybe no go go dancers but one hell of a arena rock show. This band isn't going to change music history in the near future but they do pack one fat bare knuckle fist full of rock. (John Richards)

A Man Called Sun - Sun-drenched desertscapes meet neon-washed club scenes in this nouvea Portland band's Verve-inspired sound. Originally from Idaho before relocation, this incredibly young space-rock (someone please invent a new term) group have been making a name for themselves both in Portland and Seattle, opening up for some colloquial-big-name acts in an awe-inspiring fashion. AMCS can rock you to the Heavens or soundtrack your suicide at the drop of a black fuzzy cowboy hat. (Reef Valmont)

Bugs In Amber - I find BIA astonishing, and I'm not really sure why. Their music is a crazy quilt of sound, not at all professional sounding or polished, just this drunken mess of ideas and creative bursts, but somehow, out of nowhere, it all comes together in a magical, transcendent beauty that stirs the soul as much as it makes the head shake. Whatever it is they're doing, I fucking love it, and I even love not understanding it. (RV)

Built to Spill - This band's triumphant 2000 album, Live, commemorated a spectacular 1999 spent touring with the Delusions and kicking out a succession of near-transcendant live shows with guest guitarists, Jim Roth and Brett Netson. (Dave Liljengren)

Automaton Adventure Series - Automaton Adventure Series are arty, but in a vaquely warm, welcoming way. The songs on "Futura Transmitta," AAS's debut album, are angular, controlled, with moments of Gang of Four-like ironic sloganeering and Sonic Youth-esque spaciness and noise collage. Maybe not for everyone, but definitely worth a glance from the adventurous listener. (Matthew Parker)

Carissa’s Wierd - (silence) I'm not saying a thing. (silence) If you don't understand what's going on here... (silence) You may as well stop dying your hair and get rid of all your pricey vintage clothes. (silence) There's just something beautiful about a band that doesn't think it's better than you, playing prettier songs than you deserve. (silence) The perfect salt to Sage's pepper. (enjoy the silence) (Indie Anna Jones)

Death Cab for Cutie – I’ve never been disappointed at a Death Cab for Cutie show. Yeah, I’m a zealot, and boy aren’t THOSE annoying, but what can I tell you; it works for me. Death Cab actually has fun while playing, rather than putting on the act of having fun and I love that. It’s really easy to dismiss popular groups simply ‘cause you don’t want to be like everyone else (This is coming from someone who started listening to the Smiths sometime after they broke up; I’m that stubborn.) However, don’t kick yourself later. Listen now. (SP)

Delusions - With an aggressive two guitar attack and an ever-changing sonic vision, the Delusions are the one band everyone should get out and see every time they play live. (DL)

Dolour - Shane, Joe and Lacey just might be Seattle's best kept secret. With a delicious demo recorded at hipster Tiny Telephone (S.F.), tons of indie hype from ravers like MTV-online, and pop sensibilities straight from the gods, Dolour's infectious songwriting is destined for great things. Just wait till they hit their 20's! Shane's lovely-lilting-almost broken hearted vocals playout beautifully against Joe's voluptuous basslines and Lacey's AMAZING drum work (she might just be Seattle's best drummer, at all of 17 years old!). Only complaint is Shane's half-stack rocker set-up?! He needs something delicious, downplayed, and pretty like he is! (IAJ)

Sarah Dougher – Unlike many of the pretty, delicate female voices out there in pop music, Sarah Dougher’s voice blasts the eardrums with a clear, loud, and distinctive sound. She’s a busy gal, with her current bands on-the-go (Cadallaca, The Crabs), as well as putting out several solo releases, including an upcoming full-length due out by Mr. Lady Records (of Le Tigre fame) called The Walls Ablaze. Formerly of the Lookers, Veronica, Administration, and Weekenders, Sarah is a freight train of pop music. My favorite of hers (and probably one of the creepiest songs ever written) is "Secret Porno Collector" off of her 1999 release Day One (K). Not that I’m trying to tell you anything by that; it’s just a good song. Really! Uh, I gotta go… I have some reading to catch up on… (SP)

The Drop - Echoing space age sadness with unimpeachable academic credentials. (DL)

Dub Narcotic Sound System – As we all know, Calvin Johnson can drool with the best of ‘em and boy does he ever. With stellar drummer Heather Dunn in tow, Dub Narcotic will make even the most groove-shy person suddenly find themselves swept up in a Conga line in no time. However, if shakin’ it really isn’t your thing, just watch Calvin as he does his best tied-up-jelly-fish-in-a-flotation-tank impression while making the floor rumble with his legendary bass voice. Yeah. Dub Nar COT-ic. (Say it real slow). (SP)

Dudley Manlove Quartet – First, there was Celibate Twist. Then, there was Gherkin. And then there was Gherkin’s fun, throw-away side project called the Dudley Manlove Quartet who belted out Barry Manilow covers and Neil Diamond favorites to exceedingly pleased crowds who shouted out their favorite lounge tunes to the group of dapper men in suitjackets who gleefully obliged. This third incarnation of this same group seems to have stuck and while it’s not an artistic tornado of intellectual enlightment, it sure beats the hell out of having the word "celibate" in your band name. Aie. Plan on getting blasted (after putting your criticisms away, of course). The Dudley Manlove Quartet won’t be getting any brownie points for originality, but at least you’ll have fun. (SP)

Fairgrove - Battering ram art pop with decidedly melodic, rock-based soundscapes. (DL)

FCS North - If you are a fanatic, a real drummer fanatic, and think you've seen the best of the best? Well, come on down and watch Andy work his vintage drum kit into a snowstorm, without even breaking a sweat. FCS North contain Chad States and Josh Warren from Satisfact, two of the most prolific songwriters in Seattle. Picture Ray Manzerek and the Mahavishna Orchestra, constructing intense orchestral pieces, with electronic enhancements. (Chris Vandebrooke)

Firebrat - Piano based trio with a rock solid rhythm section and a whiz on the six string bass. Elton John meets Queen meets David Bowie meets Sorry Charlie. (Molly K)

Five Gears in Reverse – Beautiful harmonies, full-sounding pop. An excellent band. (SP)

Foo Fighters - Whenever all of us South Sound folks are trying to brag about musicians from Tacoma, it's always either: 1) Krist Novoselic painted apartments here, or 2) Nate Mendel was married to my tattooist. It's a toss up whether being a member of Sunny Day Real Estate and Foo Fighters usurps being a member of Nirvana!? But Dave Grohl's goofy hat selection live usually leans the vote Nate's way. Plus, Foo Fighters flat out rocking live shows bring back fond memories of the other greatest guitar rock band ever- Seaweed! (IAJ)

The Fongs - This power pop trio has a tight, edgy, Elvis Costello vs. Dave Edmunds take on power pop. (Grace Dangerpugg)

Girl Trouble - Tacoma's Girl Trouble have been making the northwest shake their tailfeathers for over 17 years now. If you really don't know what they are all about, get out from that cave you've been living in and see KP, Bon, Big Kahuna, and Dale work the crowd with their boss garage-rock sounds. Who knows, you might be invited up to participate in a go-go dancing contest or you may catch one of the many treats that KP throws out by the handful. Any way you add it up, it's all about F-U-N, and we all need a little more of that stuff in our lives, don't we? (Rod Moody)

Hafacat – Okay, there is nothing unlovable about Hafacat. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. I mean, sure they're fronted by three incredibly sexy, tough gals who know how to RAWK with the best of them—but maybe you prefer boys in tight jeans. And yes, they're mostly from Bremerton, which as far as I'm concerned, makes them (big sigh of relief) a little less Seattle-precious than other bands around—but maybe you like feeling uncool every time you smile in a rock club. Of course, they're carrying on the Oh-So-Important tradition of pop-punk mostly-all-girl bands like Red Five, The Runaways, 66 Saints...maybe you could love them more if they got a girl drummer. The first time I saw this band I started jumping up and down. Every city should have a Hafacat. They are, I believe, a necessary part of the feminist make up of our generation (whichever one that is!). But also, they're music is punchy, energized, and really fun to watch happen. Go see them and agree! (Sunshine DeVille)

Harvey Danger - Friends and loved-ones, for years Harvey Danger were the one band you could count on to put on an incredible show three Wednesdays a month. Times changed, HD hit the big time, world tours were involved, the band returned to the studio to record a proper follow-up to their hit "Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?" LP and then... NOTHING. "Cancelled sex," Martin Amis might say. Which is a shame. After an intolerably long break for recording and major-label politics, it looks like the Harveys' collective hat is back in the ring, playing an increasing number of local shows with a new 6-man lineup that includes Nevada Bachelor axeman Mike Squires and ex-Western State Hurricane John Roderick. (MP)

Heather Duby - Heather Duby performed to a rapt audience at the Crocodile last month to celebrate her CD release on SubPop. I arrived eager to hear lush sounds—to be transported, to ride the wave of her incredible voice. I was disappointed! Not only were Heather's lyrics embarrassingly cliché (I am all for a simple lyric, hers completely lack substance) but the audience seemed totally clueless. The packed house swayed dutifully as Heather and her backup singer did a great rendition of Adult Contemporary Crap. I'll admit there were moments of beauty, and the rhythm section (some might recognize Western State Hurricaners up there) did a great job on the Riverdance song that finishes up her CD. Her voice, though, is totally strong and beautiful. What was disappointing was the meat behind the voice—not so meaty. I left early, and gave away my CD. I'm hoping her next CD will be better once she's had some time to hone her style, unless she follows the "easy listening" track and finds herself singing a duet with Celine Dion at the next awards ceremony. (SD)

Juno - Quite possibly the most adrenalized, exciting band living in the 206 area code today, Juno are a revelation of epic proportions. Frontman Arlie Carstens is known around these parts for his intensely emotional and challenging performances on stage, as well as a voice that will shoot spikes into your spine. As for Juno as a whole - which is definitely what they are, one of the tightest, most professional acts going - you get an avalanche of guitars alongside a lazer-sighted rhythm section and, as already mentioned, the man they call Arlie. Emotive, destructive, powerful like a natural disaster, Juno will rule the secret sideline world one day soon if a God really exists. (RV)

Kent 3 - From Brother Buzz to the Kent 3, Tyler Long and Adam Grendon have been writing some of the catchiest rock-a-punk-a billy numbers that just couldn't possibly treat you wrong. Tyler Long will pummel you with his witty and solid drum work, as Adam lays down his walk-a-plank bass lines. Mike Kindlund will shock you with his Dead Kennedy's influenced sweeping guitar parts, forcing you to march and sing along side them. These pioneers in the Northwest punk scene will definitely bust out some whoop-ass numbers for ya! (Chris Vandebrooke)

Kinski - Latter-day, guitar-based, noise art with a vengeance. (DL)

No. 13 Baby - "I got a broken face, uh-huh, uh-huh!" Nothing is more splendid than sharing the belief with others that the Pixies truly mattered. Truth be known, if there is a God, much of the decisions regarding who gets into Heaven will surround whether or not you own "Surfer Rosa" in your record collection. Of course, exceptions will be made for attending enough No.13 Baby shows 'cause their perfect presentation of every hit Pixies' song is just about damn holy! (IAJ)

The Makers - This band knows how to rock. You've seen it all before, but these guys do the whole Glam/rockstar thing really well. A great live show with lots of energy, volume, attitude, and style. A guilty pleasure... (Pete Everett)

Marigold - Marigold used to play this highly infectious Britpop when they were teens. They all dressed very sharp and some members were blessed with the good looks that only true teen idols are allowed to possess. They played at all of the big industry showcases and consistently wowed the A&R scum trolling for suckers. Presumably they signed with one of 'em. Haven't heard much about Marigold since. Figures. (RM)

Matchless - Brazen, melodic, distortion-angst with a heart of gold. (DL)

The Melody Unit - I love when a band I don't like eventually changes my mind so completely that I have to keep confessing what a dope I was for not liking them in the first place. Melody Unit's heavenly ballads are SO out of place in Seattle. They take patience, and earnestness, and a willingness to be vulnerable to fully appreciate. Happily, I've let down my guard and been rewarded for it! And, needless to say, the Murder City Devils crowd never steps on my toes at Melody Unit shows. (IAJ)

Modest Mouse - If you had to name one NW band as genuine contenders for mass superstardom, it would have to be The Mouse. Every album they release is a masterpiece, every show they play, like all true geniuses, is either Godsent Manna or Fucking Shit, every step they take is monitored by the mass media because, for once, the mass media know what's up. Elusively touching, disturbingly connected, musically sharp, Modest Mouse are one of the finest guitar bands in the world. As we grow old together, they'll become our very own Yo La Tengo or Built To Spill, a band to hold close through good, not so good and extremely experimental. (RV)

Nevada Bachelors - Let the good times roll! Power melodies, hooks, and more. (DL)

Pedro the Lion - Or David the mouse? David Bazan's precious ability to swoon a crowd with his lilting vocals seems almost his shortcoming at times. The less-than-confident are afraid to approach his "let's look inside my fresh wounds" frankness. Playing behind a perfectly orchestrated new "concept" album about two alter-ego-ed brothers, Bazan's newly launched moments of up-tempo rock should make even the weak-hearted more comfortable. Good. 'Cause Bazan is the closest thing to a perfect songwriter that Seattle has! (In the nobody-cares-dept: I dream of Cat Power and David Bazan writing a fucked-up love ballad together someday!) (IAJ)

Peter Parker - I'm beginning to think the under-agers are the only ones who truly appreciate Peter Parker. Trust me; they're on to something. After releasing their fine, fine album, Migliore! last year, the Parkers (that would be Steve, Mona, and Matthew) have not slowed down one bit and are expecting to release yet another full-length sooner than later called Vanishing Point Perspective. They have been hurdling along like a freight train since their inception about 2+ years ago and it's about time you, the pop fan, took notice. At the risk of sounding like the dreaded skipping CD: Catchy pop that rocks. Hooks'll grab ya, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's tremendously good. I know 'cause I've seen'em about 40 times. And I'd do it again; no lie. For the Death Cab For Cutie - Crabs - Sloan - Supergrass - Pixies - Le Tigre fans in this world, Peter Parker is there for you. (SP)

Pinehurst Kids - Emo-licious, Emo-tastic, Emo-nauts. (GD)

Polecat - Will someone please give props to Polecat? It seems that this town has forgotten about straightahead, abrasive, and beautiful music and will only support the angular pop that is currently dominating seattle. Polecat play honest music that always makes me feel something: happy, sad or wanting, take your pick. Polecat has fucking heart and Seattle needs to give it up for the bands that go off at every show. (Adam McDaid)

Rat Cat Hogan - I don't think Elsinor Records' Rat Cat Hogan has a bigger fan than I. They are, by far, the Beat Happening of the future. Herbert can make the most everyday things sound poignant and Robbie’s drumming is sublime. Their tape (in vintage soft-plastic case), "Don't call me Twaddy/Eet Ees Too Koldt To Go Swimmink", has the kind of plainness that warms the heart, but is not afraid to go for it at the right places. Rat Cat changes their set constantly and have about 70 or so songs on rotation for your enjoyment. Rarely are there choruses, but you get used to that in a quickness. Rat Cat even got their "hit" song "Board Meeting Minutes 4/10" (apparently written about State Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn) in to its own Seattle Times article. (A sample: "And she’s wrong/Most of the time/But she’s on your side/I’ll vote for her again") And lastly, the gentlemen of Rat Cat Hogan will be celebrating their long anticipated release of their new double CD Our Apologies to Walla. (SP)

Silkworm - Portable Zeppelin. (DL)

Sleater-Kinney - The lovely ladies of the Northwest have a new cd out, All Hands on the Bad One, and it kicks-fat-ass. S-K gains popularity with every release, but they are as always keeping it real, and improving each time - thus the popularity thing. (Sarah Doriss)

Elliott Smith- Jesus, this boy's voice is simply angelic. Listening to the lyrics on the new record is fucking amazing. Ever since Eliot went "adult contemporary" on the final Heatmiser record, his voice has been expanding, and maturing, and finally taking on a life all its own. And flatly, I can't believe how incredible it sounds on the new disc. Elbow your way through the sorority girls up to the stage, and dammit, don't be afraid to cry! (IAJ)

Spyglass - The aesthetic strength of this Seattle quintet has always radiated from their ability to give a vivid, motile sound to otherwise dark and immobilizing states of mind. Layers of soaring, diaphanous, guitars tease the earthy, melancholy vocals of singer Barbara Trentalange and produce post-space age soundscapes that are both lighter than air and heavier than Bob Dylan at his most abjectly poetic. (DL)

Sub:Minute Radio - I have to say nice things about them, 'cause they're from Pierce County. But so far, this darling group of teenage boy riff-rockers has yet to make good on the amazing promise of their debut e.p. Hopefully some industry-type will stumble across them, send them to some big, full-blown production studio, and make them work with a million dollar songwriter. Y'know, cash-in on these boys' abilities. 'Cause they're amazingly polished. (IAJ)

SushiRobo – SushiRobo kinda sorta epitomize what's so cool about the local music kids right now—bizarrely eclectic fucked-up pop that, against all better judgements and those carved in stone rules of cool, sounds ace. Featuring (horns stand, please) David Einmo, Clay Martini and Barry Shaw of Spyglass and Rick Roberts ex-Posies, DeadFishAndroi have just released a very swishy 6-track CD simply titled 'Action Causes More Trouble Than Thought' on Pattern 25 Records. Lead track 'Fried Eyes' is so retro heavy future it could be a type-face, final track 'In Your Reach' is one of the secret local hits of the year along with Ruston Mire's ‘Monday Or Forever' and everything in-between is just wonderfully wrong pop nirvana. Be here, then. (RV)

Tart – This is that group with the recording called "Cat Porn" with the photos of scantily-clad kitties on the cover. The group itself isn’t really that wacky, but instead filled with talented musicians with great voices. This all-female group (three of the members are sisters), plays good pop music with excellent harmonies. Even with the horrible sound system at the Dubliner, where I saw them last, they got their point across. Keep an eye out for these gals…(SP)

The Squirrels - I know you're not supposed to use "on crack" to describe anything anymore, but how else can you describe Seattle's beloved Squirrels, a band so relentlessly energetic and bouncily mischievous that songs you've always hated squirm with a perverse and delightful animation in their hands? The band that brought you "Oz on 45" and "Take a Letter, Maria" have just released a full-length reworking of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" ON CRACK. I'm sorry. That's just the way it is. Front man Rob Morgan (of Poplust! magazine fame) obviously lives for the music in a way you never, ever could. (MP)

Tuffy - Power pop in the vein of Big Star and Rockpile. (DL)

Vellutto - Oh my god, people. Who am I, right? What do I know? These three girls... (SCREAM!!!!) I love them... Love them... Love them... Saw them just last week at a tiny little love-in at The Old Firehouse (bless you Kate, for finding them). Remember when Sleater-Kinney used to be precocious and unsure about themselves? (Well, me neither... just pretend...) Velutto's bass player is the cutest thing on earth, with a sweet mix of "I'm gonna kick your ass" posing and schoolgirl giggling, the drummer is just svelte, and if Ani Difranco and Kathleen Hanna had a love child, well, here she is out-singing both her mothers, at the ripe old age of... I don't know... 16? Somebody buy these girls some better instruments and give them a deal, NOW! (IAJ)

Vendetta Red- The music would probably fall under the heading "emo", for lack of a more descriptive word. But it's not in the "woe is me, I'm deeply miserable so I'll whine some intense personal confession whilst staring intently at the floor" sense. No, no, these kids will rock you like a hurricane. Come see frontman Zach (who incidentally might be the bastard love child of Patrick Dempsy and the Artist Formerly Known as Prince) flail about like an electrified crack-monkey. Come see bass-player Nat roll on the ground for an entire song. Come see all of the band members rush to their amplifiers at the end of every song for that all-important wall of feedback. Good, loud, intelligent emo rock. (Shane Berry)

Rocky Votolato - The sunniest of days, when everything seems perfect, and everything falls right into place. That's the feeling I get when I put on Rocky Votolato's solo album on Status Records. Unique and heartfelt vocals wrapped around intricate acoustic guitar textures, these songs are not to be overlooked. His live set will leave you crippled, wondering how one person and a guitar can cause such emotion in a crowd. Look for his 7" on Redwood Records featuring Seth Warren from Red Stars Theory on violin. I highly recommend anything by this guy. Rocky also plays in a local emocore band called Waxwing, I'm sure you've heard of them, they simply tear things apart on their latest release "For Madmen Only". (Chris Vandebrooke)

Voyager One - Protean space-pop for the 22nd Century. (DL)

Wes Dando - Wes Dando's debut album, "The Tired Hours," is the inevitable result of young, talented musicians coming of age in our current Pacific Northwest. The hallmark mnemonics are all here: Built to Spill, Death Cab, Pedro, etc. Wes Dando craft plaintive, heartfelt guitar rock with honest, prosaic lyrics like "I remember the devotion of my youth / how like a child I loved you / Sweet was your breath calling out my name / What have I done to you?" Although at times I'd like nothing more than to hear these tightly constructed songs fray a bit at the edges, that is a personal preference, and there's always a chance that something unexpected will happen whenever they play. (MP)

Willis - I saw Willis at their favorite local venue The Tractor Tavern recently and was pleasantly surprised. While their genre of music isn't really my favorite (kind of Hootie and the Blowfish meets some other radio-hippy band), their musicianship was unquestionable. There is definitely a Paul Simon thing going on, although I heard more than one person in the crowd compare the band to Radiohead. The only similarity I can see there is that Willis manages to layer a lot of interesting sounds: vocals as well as instrumentation, including several keyboards, lots of percussion (my personal favorite) and guitars. The live sound is therefore complex enough to resemble the record, and there they are on stage ripping it up. The boys look a little like they walked off the set of a teen beat movie from the 80's—which is a good thing. If it weren't for the horrendous crowd (after all, they're a "fraternative" band) I would probably have stayed for the encore. (SD)

Wussy Beat Up the Jocks - Wussy Beat Up the Jocks specialize in scruffy downer pop, dressing down the de rigeur Seattle sound with a distinctly Tacoma sense of self-esteem. This lovesick trio wear their influences on their collective sleeve-- Archers and Eric's Trip covers often appear in their live sets, and a good chunk of the Wussies' debut, "Negotiate the Sorrow," was produced by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla-- but it's frontman Rob Sharpe's acutely self-deprecating sense of humor that gives his songs their edge. (MP)