Quasi have created the indie pop fan's dream-- a marriage between Stephen Malkmus' casual, lo-fi production and Doug Martsch's catchy and cheerful melodies, peppered with pessimism. But these two Portlanders have nothing to be bleak about; R&B; Transmogrification is on several hundred critics' pick lists, mine included.

R&B; Transmogrification is a weird experiment in musical birth via emotional extremes. The lyrics make you cry, the music makes you dance. It's an uncomfortable sound that you can't help but love. The record's also further proof that Portland, Oregon is the music capital of the world, spinning out plethoras of incredible bands on a daily basis.

The band's comprised of two members, main guy Sam Coomes (formerly of the Donner Party and Motorgoat) and Janet Weiss (of Sleater-Kinney), who seem to work so well together that you'd never know they're divorced. And having just really emerged with this release, it's hard to say where these kids will end up. Let's hope they continue to like each other.

-Ryan Schreiber