Lake Street Dive/River Whyless

Upon first hearing Lake Street Dive (it's "Dive" and not "Drive"), it's easy to be pulled in by frontwoman Rachael Price's soulful vocals. Her instrument has an exceptional smoky quality, completely comfortable in the calm and the loud. Of course, the rest of the band is just as superb and brings trumpet, guitar, upright bass and groovin' drums to the party. Since forming in 2004 at the New England Conservatory of Music, the original quartet has become a five-piece with the addition of keyboardist Akie Bermiss last year. The fresh instrumental infusion also helped with the group's newest album Free Yourself Up, released last month, bringing a more filled-out (and sometimes experimental) sound to the band's retro-inspired tunes. (Laura Morrison)