Are they the people that you meet when you’re walking down the street? I suspect not. But these two bands definitely deserve to be in your musical hood if you like something just a bit out of the poprock mainstream.

Human Barbie lives in Los Angeles. Like, duh. Where else would they be? I mean, Malibu was in the traditional brand somewhere. But there’s nothing plastic or assembly line about this living doll. Human Barbie the band is wonderfully warm and analog in its sonic signature. The group’s one long-player Get a Life contains such an interesting mix of instrument choices and song styles. Everything exhibits just a touch by a dreamy psychedelia, framed within spare guitar work and keyboards. Opening cut “We Disappeared” rides some solid harpsichord piano chords, punctuated by otherworldly synth lead lines. Altogether space agey. Title track “Get a Life” is contemplative, capturing a marked generational ennui with growing up. “The Truth is Coming” leans on keyboards to cast its uncertain glow, though the warm rumbly electric lead guitar break creates a nice juxtaposition. You can go back and forth in Human Barbie’s catalogue for plenty more great musical nuggets. “Nineteen 80” chugs along with a sombre poppy elan. “The Village Priest” is another winning stand-alone song, vibing mystery and a bit of folk rock. The band’s most recent single “Slow Down” has a fuller, more pastoral feel with an almost gospel shading in the sing-along chorus.

In the list of bands with a serious work ethic, Smug Brothers would surely get more than a footnote. Ok, there was that nine year break between albums one and two but since then they’ve been plying the record bins with singles, EPs and LPs with a clockwork consistency. Album number ten Stuck on Beta is almost out. From the tracks presently available the record is clearly following in the style of their previous LP In the Book of Bad Ideas with plenty of jangle. “Paper Jane” reminds me of those early Church records while “Take It Out On Me” has a rougher beat group edge but plenty of hooks too. While we wait for the full album release you won’t go wrong digging into the band’s catalogue. Check out “89 Lullabye” from their last album. Positively buoyant. Or you can enjoy the carefree poppyness of “It Seemed You To Me” from Application of a Twig. Or you could even reach back to Disco Maroon for the should have been a hit single track “My Little Crowd Pleaser.” Really you won’t go wrong needle-dropping your way through any of their LPs, there’s variety and plenty of it.

Sometimes you find the most interesting things poking round the shops in your neighourhood. Or looking further afield. Just because they don’t live next door doesn’t mean they can’t be part of your musical hood.

Photo of art by Mac Connor for the 1958 novel ‘Midtown Bomber’ courtesy zaza23 (Jessica)’s Flikr collection.