Slimfit’s The Path was introduced to our household shortly after its December 26, 2009 release. I had missed the CD release party, and I didn’t have their last album, Make It Worse, so much of what I knew of Slimfit was based on how other people had described them.

Every time the first track of Toy Soldiers’ Whisper Down the Lane comes on, my son thinks it’s the beginning of the Johnny Cash song “Going to Memphis.” But he is never disappointed when he realizes his mistake. The song, “Throw Me Down,” begins with an tinny, echoing couple of lines from lead singer Ron Gallo that give way to a roll-the-windows-down, crank-it-til-the-knob-falls-off, sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs good time.

OK, let’s get this out of the way right up front: I am not going to draw comparisons between A.D. Chandler and Tom Waits.

I generally try to avoid the “sounds like” descriptions anyway, but this particular cliché is one I refuse to make. Ever. I’m not buying it, and I’m tired of hearing it. Sure, A.D. has an indisputable grit in his voice and a bluesy edge to his persona. His lyrics are clever, and he seems to be most in his element singing songs with titles like Thank God for Whiskey in a place like First Capital Dispensing Co, a dark bar with an uneven floor, the air eternally thick with smoke (also one of the very best places in York for live music).

Dana Alexandra’s first full-length album is, in a word, sweet.

Her music is a perfect reflection of her bubbly, girl-next-door personality. It would be easy to write this pretty, folksy songstress off as another mildly flaky artistic-type with a guitar, but her precocious persona is balanced out with enough grace and soul that she comes off as perfectly charming. And listen to just one song and it’s apparent: the girl can blow.

The first time I ever heard Perkasie was when they opened for Hackensaw Boys at a CapLive (www.caplivemusic.com) show. I had heard of the Lancaster-based band, but knew nothing about what style of music they play. I didn’t know what to expect, but I have a personal philosophy about always arriving in time for the opening act.