The cream of this week s musicalicious crop is oh, so creamy. LittleHorse , Strangers in the Valley I ve been listening for the last couple of weeks to LittleHorse s new album, their third, and it s a keeper (also, judging from the somewhat lesser quality of the two songs they ve remixed here from their previous CD, it s probably the best).

Led by two brothers, LittleHorse is a two-piano power-pop band that sounds a little like (take a deep breath) Queen plus a Latin band, and Billy Joel, backing up Joe Jackson, with Jellyfish on vocal harmonies. Or something. Whatever it is, it s one of the year s highlights - inventive but accessible, loaded with creamy harmonies, top-drawer musicality, and joyful fun. Highly recommended. Listen at their Myspace page , or at CD Baby where you can also buy it.

Eliza Lynn , The Weary Wake Up Although I wasn t terribly impressed with Eliza Lynn s song on Putumayo s recent Americana compilation, I like the label s work so much that I almost automatically give a listen to anything from an artist they have included in the past. Lynn s new CD turns out to be a solid, if not spectacular, set that embodies the term Americana in its broader sense, drawing on folk balladry, rock, blues, bluegrass, and jazz, but projecting a single characteristic voice.

Part of that consistency comes from Lynn s literal voice, a cocky, cutting, but cloaked instrument that curls around cryptic lyrics like You don t know when it comes, cause it s here before you re ready. But if you walk it out the door, you ll be begging it back on your knees.