We've got pretty high hopes for the new David Kahne-produced 2010 project from Austin's Alpha Rev, their first for a major label (Hollywood) and the one we think will take them to a whole new level. Led by former Indochine frontman and songwriter Casey McPherson, Alpha Rev, as we've noted here,  "build songs of drama and vision, at turns grandiose, soulful, gritty and mesmerizing." Warm up to the perfectly timed "Colder Months" from the band's 2007 album The Greatest Thing I've Ever Learned:

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Alpha Rev - "Colder Months" (from the album The Greatest Thing I've Ever Learned)

We've been fans of the wonderful Rebecca Martin for well over a decade now, having first caught her in the mid 90's with Once Blue, the acclaimed Brooklyn jazz/folk band co-founded by Martin and Jesse Harris (writer of the Norah Jones classic "I Don't Know Why"). Over the course of one beautifully crafted, effortlessly winning solo album after another, singing standards or her own gorgeous melodies, Martin has become one of our finest writers with a depth of emotion and her own special song structures that flow as easily and as nuanced as a classic jazz riff. Listen to the way the melody twists in unexpected directions on the song "Play For Me" in this video recorded live at Joe's Pub in New York. From her 2004 album "People Are Like Ballads." Look for a new Martin album, tentatively titled Twain, this spring.

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Hard to believe that it's been over three years since we first heard Elizabeth and The Catapult live at a tiny club on the Lower East Side of New York. We've loved the quirky, twisty pop and the tongue-in-cheek fun that's a integral part of their indie-meets-Tin-Pan-Alley music.  But we have, as noted here before, worshiped at the Elizabeth Ziman ballad altar where her fondness for a well-turned melodic phrase and heartfelt performance is so open and connecting. "Apathy", a track from their debut full-length Taller Children, is a great example and this lo-fi but magical in-studio performance demonstrates precisely why.

Elizabeth and the Catapult - "Apathy" (original demo) (from the album Taller Children)

Those looking for a radical change from Norah Jones on her forthcoming album The Fall (November 17, Blue Note) may be somewhat surprised listening to first self-penned single "Chasing Pirates". Sure, Kings of Leon producer Jacquire King and the more rough and tumble playing of members of Tom Waits' band may have managed to tussle up the usually pristine production of Norah's prior works. But even with the band chuggin' on a killer back beat, THAT VOICE just seems to calm things down. We like it. A lot. And listen to a live version of her new song, an ode to a four-legged friend, "Man of the Hour" here.

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Norah Jones - "Chasing Pirates" (from the album The Fall)

Taken from his January '09 album Dear John, "I Was Only Going Out" is yet another wonderful example of the thoroughly beguiling nature of Sweden's Emil Svanängen and his Loney Dear band of pop conspirators. Says NPR: "Svanangen's captivating ruminations sound as if he's trying to capture the purest essence of joy, albeit with a melancholy underbelly. It's that bittersweet warmth that makes Loney Dear's hushed, pastoral folk songs seep into the heart." Nice whistle, too.

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We were thinking today about "Lake Michigan" when we learned that Zach Rogue and Rogue Wave had completed their fourth as-yet-untitled album for a scheduled release on Jack Johnson's Brushfire label March 2. Recorded in Oxford, Mississippi this past spring, the project is certainly near the top of our "Can't Wait" list for the new year. For now -- we'll revisit one of the best tracks from their 2007 album Asleep at Heaven's Gate.

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Those who prefer their Foo formula with the melodic, slightly more non-abrasive additive as the first ingredient listed on the package -- like us -- will certainly want to check out new single "Wheels", one of two new Foo Fighters songs from their forthcoming Greatest Hits album hitting November 3. Produced by Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins), "Wheels" sounds to us like a fine swaggering Neil Young/Tom Petty country rocker put on high heat, guitar riffs blazing and harmonies worn like leather fringe. Crank it. Trust us.

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Foo Fighters - "Wheels" (from the album Greatest Hits)

OK -- it's Sunday afternoon, it's feeling like fall and we're thinking that Rachael Yamagata's video for "Sunday Afternoon" would be perfect company. A majestic nine-minute track that builds to a climax of heartbreaking emotional release, the song is taken from Ms. Yamagata's sorely overlooked album, the depressed-vs.-defiant Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart released a year ago almost to the day. The paraphrase Springsteen, this is the difference between something you need...and something you want. For this one, we're opting for the first.

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First video from Arrow, the Ocotber 20 sophomore album from Brooklyn's Clare and the Reasons, packs lots of clever animation and playfull, eccentric and theatrical art-pop into just 2 1/2 minutes. More on Clare Muldaur, her Reasons and Arrow from DC here. 

Photo: Dennis Stempher

There's a cool marimba vibe beating in the heart of "Horchata", the surprisingly guitar-less lead track from "it-band" Vampire Weekend's upcoming album Contra (January 12), thanks to the addition of Brazilian guest Mauro Refosco. "He’s an amazing percussionist," VW's Ezra Koenig tells NME of the new member of Radiohead-master Thom Yorke's recently announced sideproject: The New Yorkers.

Vanpire Weekend - "Horchata" (from the upcoming album Contra)