10.  Hateful Little Cakes
“Hey Brother”
Peter Duchesne–acoustic guitar, vocals
Mike Palace–synthesizers
Rob Braswell–electric guitar
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Hateful Little Cakes play a kind of electro-blues, where slug trails of distorted guitars slither behind rootsy folk leads while a disembodied vocal floats over the melody like a ghost. Despite their bluesy overtones, there is always something else going on.

Some tracks, like “Moral Combat,” are a patchwork of rough electric guitars behind which lay disjointed, heavy electric beats. On other tracks, they use a Theremin, an instrument normally reserved for bearded musos and space cadets just before they retreat to the land of prog rock. Not here, though. Hateful Little Cakes do it all in moderation, never losing their dedication to richly layered guitar production and subtle lyrical nods to deeper desires. “Dream rock star dreams” lyricist and singer Pete Duchesne nonchalantly whispers on “Hey Brother,” a bittersweet treat from this introspective, rumpled, unpretentious lot. Rob Braswell (guitar) and Mike Palace (synths and, of course, Theremin) add essential contributions, helping make this eclectic, somewhat scattered sound amazingly tight, and relaxed, without ever sounding complacent.

Hateful Little Cakes crafts tunes that defy genre, yet are endlessly intriguing and are overflowing with ideas. They may amaze you, chill you out or possibly shock you, but you will never be bored. Their debut album, “In the Pocket” is due out Dec 12.