I’ve been into the Secret Stash again. Pulled out a few goodies, too. Some old, some new, so listen up.

First off, Sean Hayes, Flowering Spade: if you buy one album here, buy this one. Sean Hayes doesn’t get nearly as much recognition as he richly deserves, especially for a disc as indescribable and moving as Flowering Spade. It’s like a combination of bluegrass, singer-songwriter, jazz, band practice, and freestyle improv. And yet, it’s listenable. Who’da thunk.

I wasn’t really expecting anything from Emma Pollock. I dunno. I hadn’t heard any buzz. The word on the street was… well, that there was no word on the street. Still, Watch the Fireworks has managed to work itself into regular rotation mostly because what could have been pretty standard fare has been kicked around a bit, given some fresh melodic and instrumental choices, and sent out into the world to conquer my playlist.

Brad Sucks is apparently just one guy making music because he loves it, releasing his stuff under Creative Commons licenses. You can buy this album or you can download it on Jamendo: either way. Get your hands on I Don’t Know What I’m Doing if you like (or even barely tolerate) electro pop/rock. Most of the songs are very good; I was quite frankly very surprised at the quality of this release.

If I could count the number of people surrounding Sufjan Stevens who have put out an album recently, I’d need at least two hands: they should probably form a collective or something. St. Vincent arises from that storied group, but unlike Sufjan, whose appeal is pretty universal, St. Vincent’s Marry Me is a different beast. Let me put it this way: I like it and you might too. But there’s a giant chance you might not. It’s… unique.

1994 for crying out loud! I’m embarrassed to say my friend Nick was listing to Tegan and Sara long before I ever found them (an anomaly, I assure you), but here they are and I’ve started near the beginning. Call it estrogen rock if you will, but So Jealous is pretty. With nice harmonies. And drums. It’s music for when you’re at work and you need something that’s not going to demand much processing power to tune into.

Last but not clichéd, Bowerbirds’ Hymns For a Dark Horse. Elegant folk. Quiet. Contemplative with sudden outbursts of sound. Emotional. Worth the money.