By Paul V.

Dangerous Muse - The Rejection - Chordless

Take two parts "supersexual" -- and damn sexy -- boys, throw them into an '80s synth-pop time machine, sprinkle in production from Book Of Love's Ted Ottaviano, and you get this tweefully delicious slice of mascara-smeared, androgynous electro pop. Check it out at www.myspace.com/dangerousmuse.

Pink - I'm Not Dead - La Face

This might be going out on a limb, but our girl Pink just might've crafted the catchiest, most diverse, and hit-loaded pop-rock album of the year. And yikes, where to begin with why this record is so terrific? First, it goes without saying that she remains one of the best female singers of her generation. Lots of girls have great voices, but what sets her apart is her ability to jump into multiple genres with complete confidence and sheer force of conviction. With help from producers like Butch Walker, Max Martin, Billy Man, and Mike Elizondo, Pink shows her chops in crafting pop-tart bitchslaps ("Stupid Girls"), poignant ballads ("Long Way To Happy," "Nobody Knows"), energetic, dance-rock ("Who Knew," "'Cuz I Can" and the awesome "U + Ur Hand"), and even a must-have protest song ("Dear Mr. President"). Along with the Indigo Girls, Pink thoughtfully -- and fearlessly -- puts to paper and song all the things that need to be said about the worst president in this country's history. Check the lyrics, folks, you'll want to hug Pink hard. Aside from a couple of toss-away tracks towards the end, these songs feel familiar and friendly on first listen. Nope, she ain't dead -- she's alive and unabashed and remains the rebel whose cause is defying odds to prove her mettle. She takes chances while still pleasing her fans, and that's the true sign of a star. All that and a foxy, skateboarding husband, baby!

Larry Levan Various - Journey Into Paradise - Rhino

One of the few truly legendary figures in the universe of contemporary dance music, the late, great Larry Levan revolutionized the art of the club DJ with his soulful and eclectic sets, insanely complex turntable set-up, and consummate flair as both an innovative remixer and visionary turntable artist. Revered for the pulsing dance floor magic he created as resident DJ at New York City's famed Paradise Garage -- perhaps the most revered club in dance music history -- Levan seamlessly merged genres like a shaman. From Philly soul to sticky sweet pop to drugged out dance-rock to full on good-time party funk to trancey electro and breaks, this double-CD is a must-have for anyone looking to travel back to a time when the all-night dance party created community, if not communion itself, for every color, flavor, and sexual orientation. There are too many gems here to list, but a few would include Taana Gardner's orgasmic "Heartbeat," Chaka Khan's uplifting "Clouds," Inner Life's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (featuring the stunning Jocelyn Brown), Gwen Guthrie's "It Should've Been You," Phreek's "Weekend," Change's "A Lover's Holiday" (featuring the late Luther Vandross), and Yaz's "Situation" (the classic Francois Kevorkian remix). With most tracks clocking in at least five minutes (and most reaching the seven to 10-minute mark), you will indeed, as Sister Sledge sings here, get "lost in music". This is the sound of our history, our freedom, equality, and spirit of gay liberation.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones - Interscope

When this NYC noise-rock trio scored a semi-hit with their lovely hit "Maps," you gotta know that more than a few folks who bought their debut CD were in for a surprise: The rest of the record sounded nothing like it. Perhaps in a move to straddle middle ground between that song and their more shredding tunes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs deliver the goods on their excellent sophomore effort. Theirs is still the sound of fervent garage rock with a quirky bend at every turn, but now just a bit more tuneful and produced slightly slicker. Singer Karen O (one of my favorite front-women, ever) is as scrumptious as ever, be it channeling Siouxsie Sioux-like whoops (on the slow-burn of the terrific first single "Gold Lion"), deep-throttling PJ Harvey-esque salty sneers (the menacing sounding "Fancy"), or exulting her maverick hero Chrissie Hynde ("Cheated Hearts" and "Dudley" -- both single contenders for sure), O is able to condense her influences through a strainer and come out sounding completely herself -- that includes some of her bordering on cryptic nursery rhymes. I'd be remiss not to give worthy bows to guitarist Nick Zinner, whose skill with both subtle acoustic guitar strums and charging, whirling, whooshing electric guitar histrionics are damn near stunning. Time will tell if the 2006 edition of YYYs is either too arty for the mainstream, or not arty enough for snobby indie rock purists. And I'm sure they'd have it no other way.

Catch Paul V. spinning tunes in Silver Lake: Dragstrip 66 (second Sat. each month at The Echo), Spit (third Sat. each month at Faultline). Tune in for his "Smash Mix" on Indie 103.1 FM Fridays at 5:30 p.m. For information, e-mail www.dragstrip66.com.