Brooklyn’s eccelctic music scene has been the source of some of the most dynamic underground sounds coming out today, which must be why Yeasyer feels so right at home. The wildly inventive trio makes sophisticated pop music with a worldly influence and uncompromising originality.

Believe it or not, Yeasayer members Chris Keating and Anand Wilder got their start in A Capella. Back in high school, the two were members of Sic Transit, a barbershop quartet, before heading off to different colleges. After meeting up in Brooklyn, splitting their share of vocals, synths and guitars and joining up with Wilder’s cousin, bassist Ira Wolf Tuton, they formed the basis of Yeasayer. The group debuted in 2007 with their buzz worthy LP, All Our Cymbals.

The  album was filled with uniquely psychedelic folk rock dabbling in electronics and tribal induced percussion. Over the course of festival appearances and tours backing up the likes of MGMT and Beck, Yeasayer honed their ever increasingly world sound. 2010 saw the release of their much anticipated sophomore album, Odd Blood (Secretly Canadian).

Expanding their earlier efforts, Odd Blood is a darkly danceable showcase of trippy acid rock, 80’s electro pop and a decidedly Middle Eastern groove. Recorded in Woodstock, New York, at the home of longtime Peter Gabriel drummer Jerry Marotta, the trio took advantage of their surroundings by employing vintage synths and instruments from around the world. Odd Blood is at once a genre bending experimental shift for Yeasayer, and one of this year’s most accessible and enjoyable albums thus far.

Channeling the sounds and spirit of indie rock’s greatest touchstones, Surfer Blood have accomplished much in their short existence. 2010’s Astro Coast [Kanine Records] is the sound of an exuberant band just rounding into form, and provides some of the catchiest jams in years.

Surfer Blood was officially formed in 2009 by guitarist and vocalist John Paul Pitts and drummer Tyler Schwarz, two dudes who had been friends since high school. Rounded out by guitarist Thomas Fekete, bassist Brian Black, and percussionist Marcos Marchesani, the quintet has been touring nearly non-stop since its inception, and that familiarity is on display on the band’s recently released debut full-length.

The group combines tasty indie rock and clever lyrics in the style of Weezer and Pavement with plenty of reverb and cool melodies. Surfer Blood’s strength, though, lies in its consistently interesting guitar work, packing songs with enough hooks, riffs, and chunky chords to assuage even the most disillusioned of rock fans.

Put a tune like “Floating Vibes” or “Swim” onto a mix CD or playlist and you’re guaranteed to get a response from friends when the song hits the speakers. With Astro Coast, Surfer Blood have given us the first great backyard barbecue album of the year.

These contemporary indie veterans have earned their keep as one of the patron saints of modern alternative folk rock. Each of their four albums displays a certain evolution in their sound, and their latest record Permalight sees them heading toward a louder and more expansive aesthetic.

Rogue Wave began in 2002 when front man Zach Schwartz visited friends in New York City to record new material he’d been working on. Those recordings would eventually serve as the foundation of Rogue Wave’s first LP, Out of the Shadow. Schwartz returned from New York to his home in California and assembled a group of musicians to fill out the sound and bring the songs he’d recorded back East to life.

This is where Rogue Wave got its official start, however in the 7 years of its existence the band has gone through so many trials and tribulations that it seems they’ve started anew several times. After their band member Evan Farrell left to tend to other musical projects, he was found dead from massive smoke inhalation, during a fire. The band also experienced trouble when their label, Sub Pop, dropped them despite a successful following and generous buzz. They’ve since found a new home at Jack Johnson’s label Brushfire Records. Zach Schwartz, the lead singer, also has endured serious back injuries recently.

All of these hurdles would seem to give them a green light to create lamentable self-indulgent music, however they’ve managed to stay above their own self-pity and continuously produce quality cerebral pop music. A band like Rogue Wave demonstrates that a little tenacity and great song writing will allow any band to endure the stormiest of weather.