Used to be that this annual midyear assessment of the best Minnesota-made records would generate a lot of "Who?!" reactions. However, thanks to the fact that the Current and Radio K have put a lot of these artists into heavy rotation, and that clubs and festivals have been booking them fervently, it's easier to explain what makes these records so great. And if you haven't heard them yet, consider this a primer.

A.R.M., "TWO AFRICANS & A JEW"

Only one member of this worlds-colliding hip-hop trio actually lives in Minnesota, Ghana-reared rapper M.anifest, but he's generally the star of this energetic eight-song debut collection.

COMMUNIST DAUGHTER, "SOUNDTRACK TO THE END"

Poppy folk-rock songs like "The Lady Is an Arsonist" and the irrepressible rambler "Not a Kid" have a crooked-smile charm and steady bounce, while "Speed of Sound" and the title track are as elegant and tender as a tattooed, scarred rocker ever gets.

DESSA, "A BADLY BROKEN CODE"

We already knew the lone woman out in the Doomtree crew was a masterful poet, rapper and storyteller. Her first full-length album reveals an ambitious yet thoughtful songwriter and a singer who's not afraid to turn sultry or sassy.

THE GLEAM, "SUNRISE"

Guys who wear trucker hats without irony or fashion sense, this wonderfully ramshackle country-rock trio was long ago pulled into the city club scene from their rural confines, but they haven't lost or overplayed their roughneck charm.

JEREMY MESSERSMITH, "THE RELUCTANT GRAVEYARD"

Forget all the cryptic subject matter, although it's fun to wade through. The most remarkable thing about this soft-voiced indie wiz kid's third album is the deliciously retro feel of its pop hooks and guitar licks. Messersmith entered his 30s by getting his '60s on.

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS, "IN DESOLATION"

Remember the last time you wanted to kick over a trash can and punch the wall because the world was bringing you down, or at least because a scorching guitar riff was lighting up in your head? You will when you hear the sophomore effort by this classic-leaning, angst-spewing punk band on Epitaph Records.

RETRIBUTION GOSPEL CHOIR, "2"

Low frontman Alan Sparhawk's noisier, manlier, heavily distorted trio played these stormy, vaguely sacramental and repentant songs live in the studio and clearly came alive as a band.

ROGUE VALLEY, "CRATER LAKE"

Solo artist Chris Koza made the right choice by stepping out of the spotlight and naming his band Rogue Valley. The CD's topographically minded lyrics are evocative, but the real poetry is in the lush, Americana-meets-British-folk-rock arrangements.

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES, "PALOMINO"

The Duluth-reared string-picking quintet seems to have found the perfect balance, with plenty of highly caffeinated, hyper-picking songs, plus the right dose of boozier-sounding, slower, down-and-out gems.

ZOO ANIMAL, "ZOO ANIMAL"

Singer Holly Newsom defies a lot of stereotypes with her moody, lo-fi trio: that cute indie girls only make bubbly pop music and/or can't play a mean guitar; and that cool indie bands can't sing about God in a positive light. She and her buzz-building bandmates did not defy expectations.