The Jolly Llamas, Eagle Wolf Snake, Water Color Weekend

“The focus is — as it was before — on lyrics, specifically creating elaborate stories in their songs (hence the title of the record, Story Rock). But musically the group has changed. Their tunes are less They Might Be Giants and more a combination of power-pop, dark cabaret, and indie-experimental. These guys play with a lot of exciting, driving energy, but they’re still just as brainy, funny and ironic as ever.”

AARON CARNES, SANTA CRUZ GOODTIMES