All the Rage

Having already earned comparisons to great pop outfits of the past, Ghosty decided to actually become those bands on a bimonthly basis, performing entire sets as Big Star and the Zombies at the Eighth Street Taproom. The Lawrence outfit will replicate an as-yet-unannounced classic act on August 31 at the same venue. Also undetermined is the title for its long-delayed second full-length, set for an October 1 release on OxBlood Records. "Dumbo Wins Again," an advance track from that album, sees Ghosty cultivating its fusion of lush chamber-pop layers and Spoon-style minimalist riffs. myspace.com/ghosty music

It's Over

With a stunning array of styles up its sleeve, It's Over is one band that defies casual labeling. It's heavy on '50s- and '60s-inspired rock and roll, so labeling the band pop-rock would be fair enough. But then along come the twisted polka ditties and semi-sinister carnival-rock. Some things that are consistent: megawatt energy, slightly oversized suits reminiscent of David Byrne, and an ability to get an audience on its feet. myspace.com/itsoverkansascity

Minus Story

Minus Story finally entrusted its "wall of crap" sound to an outside producer. Collaborating with John Congleton, who has worked the board for Explosions in the Sky and the Polyphonic Spree, the Lawrence group concocted the June release, My Ion Truss, a stunning psychedelic pop-rock record with shimmering guitars and layered vocals. Earlier this year, Minus Story issued the Make the Dead Come EP, on which wispy-voiced Jordan Geiger sounds especially ghostly and the rumbling drums carry the ominous portent of unexplained late-night crashes from the cellar. myspace.com/ minusstory

Namelessnumberheadman

This band has been up for past awards in the (late) Electronic and Avant/Experimental categories. We welcome Namelessnumberheadman now to Pop, where this trio of talented multi-instrumentalists probably belonged the whole time. It's hard to think of another area group that has managed to turn out gorgeous, memorable tunes with such consistency and inventiveness over the years. This year, the band's third full-length and fifth overall release, Wires Reply, continues the Nameless tradition of smart, dynamic and sensitive electronic-enhanced music that's as accessible and catchy as the best indie pop out there. namelessnumber headman.com

The Republic Tigers

Republic Tigers leader Kenn Jankowski's old gig was being the utility player for indie glammers the Golden Republic, one of the most promising almost-made-it local acts in recent memory. After a brief stint on high-profile label Astralwerks and tours abroad, the Republic disbanded, leaving Jankowski free to make his own magic. He surrounded himself with other good-lookin' cats and began making lush and dreamy electronic pop with more sweet layers than Grandma's blackberry trifle. Now if they'd just put out a record. myspace.com/therepub lictigers

Punk

Ad Astra Per Aspera

For Lawrence's Ad Astra Per Aspera (the Latin moniker, which translates to the stars through difficulties, is the Kansas state motto), the name fits. After six years of sporadic creativity and broken-down vans, the band has produced a gem of a debut album. On Catapult Calypso, Ad Astra rolls out hellish, bare-knuckled rock that writhes with rhythm and employs trebly, urgent vocals, creating music that's something like Sonic Youth making violent love to the Oath. adastraperaspera.com

Flee the Seen

After exploding into national view last year, Flee the Seen has remained highly visible. The crowd fave is in the throes of writing its second full-length album, which faces the tall task of following 2006's Doubt Becomes the New Addiction. Boasting the rare distinction of a woman (Kim Anderson) who can scream along with the hardcore guys, including guitarist R.L. Brooks, the sophomore release promises to deliver the latest evolution of these jerking, jumping bodies dressed in black. fleetheseen.com

The Pixel Panda

When Kiss took off the makeup, people cringed. But when the Pixel Panda did away with its trademark panda masks, a lot of fans rejoiced. The shape-shifting noise-metal outfit turned out not to need a sight gag to get people's attention. All it took were a completely out-of-control live show and an album (Burial Suite) to match. Beneath those creepy Halloween costumes lurked some talented, lightning-fast musicians just waiting to pounce. Who knew? pixelpanda.net

The Ssion

Before the Ssion became the dance-pop confection with a punk ethos that it is now, Cody Critcheloe and company rocked it like 1980s Californian nihilists the Germs. Critcheloe cast Pistol Social Club proprietor Laura Frank as the yin to his yang, and the two hissed and moaned behind traditional blues and punk riffs courtesy of Jon Crocker on drums, Johnny "Diamond" Eastlund on bass and Rachel Helm on guitar. This stripped-down lineup proved the Ssion still had it, even without the outlandish animal costumes and crude videos that initially garnered them acclaim. myspace.com/ssion

Super Black Market