The deal: Stalwart Philly mods under the leadership of Shai Halpern find a new home on Park the Van. Their label debut, Dance Away the Terror, does the best job to date of capturing both their clever songwriting and their live energy.

Key cut: The meta-musical "Mirage People" opens with a wry declaration — "The Capitol Years are not a good band." Lies.

The deal: Lush psych guitar tones and pretty airy harmonies that score well on blog hype aggregators, but get booted out the door in favor of raucous rock when they take the stage. This post-Raccoon quintet's new EP, Takers and Leavers, will sate fans until the next full-length drops Feb. 17.

Key cut: "I've Just Got to Tell You" is a piano-jangle jam with lively "ooh-wop-wop" backing vocals and heavily addictive properties.

The deal: The closest thing Philly has to an Olivia Tremor Control, this quintet's dense layers of instrumental arrangements back well-crafted songs on this year's Roomful of Lions.

Key cut: "Abwehr," with its odd titular reference to German military intelligence, is your classic blend of synth effects, guitar feedback, a memorable melody and a steady beat.

The deal: Somewhere between garage and glam, this brother-led Philly quartet has been working its fondness for minor sevenths and theatrical vibrato for four years; the Carry The Wood EP came out last summer; their first PTV full-length is expected in the second quarter of 2007.

Key cut: For a number that has it all, try "So Long" and dig the loud guitars, quiet verses, literate lyrics and great pace.

The deal: The only non-local act, this Bostonian matches Iggy Pop's swagger with Elliott Smith's sense of eclectic melancholia. Birds and Rain, a compilation of his solo recordings, came out last year. His rock band Tulsa will put out Park the Van's first digital-only release this winter.

Key cut: The cut "18 and Drastic" broods in Tanton's vocal desperation, but soothes with the gentle accompaniment of a female voice.

The deal: The transplanted Sacramento songwriter behind Frank Jordan now lives in Schwenksville at PTV headquarters, planning out his first full-length. He's holing up in the studio this winter and expects the record to emerge by spring (with a Fall 2007 release). If you ask him what it'll sound like, expect a long answer involving jazz drummer Buddy Rich and 1940s string and horn sections.

Key cut: Dude can rock the obscure covers. Go to one of the shows during his Fire residency and ask to hear Beck's "Cyanide Breath Mint."