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.

You know what niche of indie pop I can’t get enough of? Husband and wife duos. I mean, think about it, the songs are always more intimate and personal. The music is always more complimentary and balanced, and the people on stage playing it are usually the happiest couple in the world. There’s something about combining music and love that just makes sense. With that in mind, may I present the Woodlands.

he Woodlands is Hannah Robertson and Samuel Robertson, both of whom claim the guitar and voice as their instruments. Together, they have traveled the world, returned home to Portland, OR, and created music from the heart. The couple began writing songs together after marrying and backpacking through Europe.  They experimented with transforming their shared experience and wonder into delicate and harmonious bits of indie pop. But it would be some time before these ideas fully matured.

For soon enough, the Robertsons again found themselves drawn to the world around them, this time in Central America where they even volunteered at an orphanage. Can you get any nicer? I submit that you cannot. After some time, the pair returned again to Portland to finally realize their enduring desire to make music and share a different kind of joy with the world.

That joy arrived in 2009, in the form of the Woodland’s debut self-titled album, which they recorded and released on their own. The record contains musing, melody, and intimacy galore, but it also carries a sincere strength that comes naturally to a couple so deeply entwined with another. In hushed tones and layered storytelling, the Woodlands share a tranquil musical bond that’s easy to see and even easier to love.