The Seattle-based trio Triptet calls themselves “a meeting of minds and spontaneous electrical impulses between Michael Monhart (saxophones and percussion), Tom Baker (fretless guitar and effects), and Greg Campbell (percussion, french horn and cheap electronics).” I call them, simply, a trip.

Often appearing on small labels with distribution problems, Lisa Germano hasn’t had as much luck as a solo artist as she has as a first-call fiddling side person. Her forthcoming release No Elephants makes the case for seeking her out again.

Never let it ever be said that The Maharajas do not rock, if that ever happens, because they do — and do so quite righteously here. Their high-octane Rocker “Repo Man” sets the pace for In Pure Spite (Low Impact Records).

Brutally described in a review of their eponymous 1978 debut by Rolling Stone as pros with no poetry, the effortlessly polished and sleekly listenable Toto has been dismissed from the first.

Are you one of those folks who picks music depending on your mood? You’re feeling sort of down so maybe you put on some Robert Johnson or Hank Williams? Maybe loneliness has set in and you need some Belle & Sebastian?