After a week with the 650+ tracks in the first 2006 SXSW Showcasing Artist Bittorrent, here’s the first 10 tracks capturing my attention.

• I am Constellation by The Kingdom
  Another mystical cult trying to get a recording deal to promote some bizarre religion based around a Baltimore Colts’ quarterback. I’m such a sucker for singing-in-the-round.
• Lunch for the Sky by Socratic
  fun-lovin’ pop punk in the same vein as Blink 182 and Sum 41.
• Stowaway by Tullycraft
  Poppy, catchy, and dorky, with background vocals.
• Studying Politics by Emery
  Grinding guitar rock. Reminds me of Dokken’s theme song to Nightmare on Elm Street 3.
• El Dorado by Robyn Ludwick
  Classic country tune; small town, drinking, loss.
• Walking’ on Nails by Mac Lethal
  Kansas City’s version of Atmosphere.
• Exit Strategy by SSM
  If Lenny Kravitz was from Detroit.
• The Other Side of Kindness by Collin Herring
  If Neil Young sang for Son Volt.
• Mr. Edison’s Electric Chair by Ronny Elliott
  Right up there with Tom Waits’ “What’s He Building in There?” for creepiness. The calm, peaceful retelling of the actions only make it worse.
• Pep by Polytechnic
  There’s clapping, background vocals, and I’m pretty sure – a casiotone.