The Wake

Four Fingers: Self Titled (RPO-SUBACA)

Listening to this album gave me the impression that I’d somehow stumbled into a late-night, opium-induced Turkish escapade with a back alley belly-dancer. Self-Titled, the group’s debut album, shakes with the kind of raw Moorish sexual passion that you’d expect to hear wafting through a Moroccan street market. Employing acoustic instruments to convey a multitude of sounds, the members of Four Fingers passionately rip through their wordly art-jazz, creating the closest thing I’ve ever heard to a recorded musical orgasm.

Best for fans of: Frankencense, Sitars, Tantric Sex
How to get it? Either buy it from them at a show or at one of their late-night gigs on the streets of Dinkytown; otherwise, email them at: MAXILANUS@hotmail.com

Hanz Solo: Closet Pop (self-released)

Hans Erickson knows that there’s more to a band than a catchy name. His group’s latest, Closet Pop, highlights a brand of pop rock that’s steeped in inescapable melody. Released in 2003, the masterfully produced Pop is chock full o’ the acoustic-rock sound that catapulted Five-for-Fighting and Jason Mraz to fame. It’s polished, bright and squeaky clean — it’s the kind of music that Cities 97 would love to get their hands on. Check out “The Endblock,” “Act” and the album’s fantastic artwork.

Best for fans of: John Mayer, Dave Matthews, acoustic-rock, sunshine
How to get it? Talk to Hans at the Steak Knife, he plays there often on Wednesday Open Mic Night. If you’re vegan, check out the website at www.hanzsolo.com.

Cesto: Simneed in a Tin (Last Minute Records)

They broke up a few months ago, hail from Rochester, and now distribute their album solely through a virtually defunct record label. Regardless, Cesto is one of the last remaining vestiges of bona fide rock music. Drawing on The Flaming Lips, Weezer and Fountains of Wayne, the band plays some of the most entrancing indie rock you’ll ever hear. Their debut (and only) album, Simneed in a Tin is more legit than a Replacements record, packs a bigger melodic punch than a Weezer single and was put-to-tape before any of them left high school. Check out “Twinkle,” “Cesto Goes to Baghdad” and “St. David Travels to La-La Land.”

Best for fans of: good rock music, Weezer, wide-frame eyeglasses, smoking pot
How to get it? Try www.lastminute-records.com and beg MikeyT for one of the few remaining copies. Otherwise try www.angelfire.com/mn/crusto/main.html.