Reach for the Sky

Sure, most 17-year-olds are convinced that they're "the shit". The difference between those teens and Sky Ferreira is that she actually is. Sorry kids...

Her wide ranging vocals, her born-n-raised Hollywood style and her Olsen twin-esque (but so much cooler) look all contribute to her coolness factor. And while most LA-based, blond, pop, teen acts make me cringe, she makes me jealous.

Expect the release of her album "As If!" on March 8th of this year (courtesy of the cutting-edge EMI/Capitol Records). Do yourself a favor and watch her videos. She is what one may call "optical nutrition." (Shame on you. She's 17. Gross). My picks are "One", "American Dream", "17", and (my favorite) "Obsession":

Sky Ferreira - Obsession

TIm WIlliam - Tripping starring Travie McCoy (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Tripping over Tim William

Should you be unaware of this electro-pop craze that has been sweeping the nation, you may want to give Tim William (not to be confused with Tim Williams) a quick listen. You may also want to climb out from under that rock from which you've been living. Just a suggestion.

In any case, Tim William does the genre good with tracks like "Tripping," "Vampire SEX", "Sun and Moon," "Move It Girl" (featuring Travie Mccoy) and even a collaboration with Bjorn Yttling entitled "Feel Young."

Check out his myspace page to hear these and more (www.myspace.com/margot). But check out his video for "Tripping" first.

i L.O.V. Fitz and the Tantrums

It's easy for me to love Fitz and the Tantrums. And unless you dislike Motown, Soul, Indie Pop, the entirety of the 60's and the general sound of good music, you'll love them too. What's even better than their use of saxophone is their story - the classic culmination of hard work, a good product and great timing. Newly formed and virtually unheard of, the LA band had a fan in a tattoo artist from New York who happened to have Maroon 5's Adam Levine as a customer. When Adam heard their EP playing, he decided the unsigned and unknown Fitz and the Tantrums would be their opening act on their Fall 2009 tour. The rest is history.

Their album Pickin' Up The Pieces, released this past August, is sure to please with (my personal favorites) "MoneyGrabber", "Breakin' The Chains of Love", "Don't Gotta Work It Out", and "L.O.V."

Check out the band's website at http://www.fitzandthetantrums.com/.

The Key to Success

Originally from Akron, Ohio, this good ol' American blues/rock duo was formed almost 10 years ago and has since rendered eight studio releases. Their past two albums, Attack & Release and Brothers, yielded some undeniable hits for the pair and ascended The Black Keys to contender status.

With their countless commercial successes -- including song features on "Big Love," "Lie to Me," "One Tree Hill," "Entourage," "Sons of Anarchy," "Hung," The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, promos for "Gossip Girl" and "Dexter," and even a Lee's jeans commercial -- I'll bet that you know the Black Keys and you just don't realize it.

If you're looking for a sound reference, their indie, almost amateur garage sound is often compared to another successful rock duo- The White Stripes. Ultimately, though, it's hard to find a sound comparable to that of Dan and Patrick. My top 5? "Your Touch", "Tighten Up," "Strange Times," "Next Girl" and "The Only One."

Thanks, LM.

I Dream of Sara

When I dream, I dream of Sara Jackson-Holman. And it's no wonder. With her delightful use of both staccato melodies and soothing undertones combined with her Adele-esque vocals, this is truly a must-hear album that is sure to become your Autumn soundtrack. Raised in Oregon, her music personifies the picturesque landscapes and natural qualities of her surroundings, and exudes a sound you just can't find on a coastline.

Entitled "When You Dream," her debut album was released this past May and exhibits a sound that is well beyond her 21 years. One of the most popular songs on the album, "Into the Blue" was featured on the season finale of ABC's "Castle" and immediately became the focus of music chat rooms nation-wide. Everyone wants to know more about this young Portland native with her mature style and ageless voice. And while I hesitate to make comparisons, she will undeniably be grouped with the soulful and spunky voices of Adele, A Fine Frenzy, Regina Spector and even Feist.

There is literally no bad song on this album, so it's hard to give my picks. But if I had to narrow it down, I'd say buy these tracks first: "Into the Blue," "When You Dream," "Come Back to Me," "Cellophane" and "California Gold Rush."