Smoosh + The Beets + German Measles

Seattle duo Smoosh sounds less mature than most rock acts, but its relative crudeness may be because its members, sisters Chloe (drums) and Asya (keys), are both teens. The pair doesn't use its youth as a gimmick, however, playing catchy pop songs with a postpunk edge and even a touch of rap. Heartfelt and brashly amateurish, the Beets know a thing or two about the appeal of DIY artmaking. The local indie-pop outfit's tunes might not be as offhanded as they sound, but we're still impressed by the band's spot-on slacker charm and its sly juxtaposition of the twee with the perverse.