No, the power of Melissa is not some new band of super hipsters in skinny jeans (God, we really need to come up with a new word to use besides “hipster.” Totally overdone and lame, don’t you think? And yes, I know I just used it!)

The power of Melissa is, instead, the greatness of Melissa Dennis (my awesome to the power of infinity office-type-thing-mate who works on the Tech Team) and Melissa Williams (who does most excellent double duty in Reception and Panels).

Melissa Dennis’ fiance tells her to be sweet to everyone every day, but I don’t think it’s just the word of BJ that makes her so easy to work with. She’s a regular joy to be around. I mean, look at that picture! Ms. D is also a great writer, and I hope someday she puts pen to paper and surprises us all with a fab work of fiction.

She took time out from coding things (or whatever it is that cool nerds do) to whip up a Pick Three…

British Sea Power: Do You Like Rock Music? is one of my favorite albums of 2008. I don’t even care if it is February, I know it’s going to stay at the top of my rotation all year. I keep forgetting to bring the CD to work, so I’ve been listening to the “Waving Flags” MP3 on their band page for four days straight now and I’m not sick of it. It’s that good.

This Will Destroy You: This local band from San Marcos, Texas was introduced to me by my friend Jeremy in Seattle. (Hi Jeremy! We miss you!) I feel bad for not knowing about these home-grown boys sooner because I feel like I’ve wasted hours of my life not listening to their music. They recently release a self-titled album that is so absolutely beautiful, it’s all I can do to keep from playing it in my sleep.

Dizzee Rascal: I love him. It took me a while to get through he accent and understand his lyrics, but he is clever and entertaining to listen to. People also talk about what a decent human being he is, and I appreciate that.

Melissa Williams once hiked the Grand Canyon, and she’s even been out on the Athabasca Glacier in the Canadian Rockies. She’s a native Texan who’s married to a drummer and has three kids who are also drummers (man, is she going for sainthood or something?)

She’s also left handed. All the best people are! :smirk:

I’m mighty glad she wrote up a little Pick Three…

Shout Out Louds: Part Cure, part Thrills, all good.

King of Prussia: Kind of poppy and groovy. Never heard of them until I saw them on the band list, but I am digging their song “Misadventures of the Campaign Kids.”

The Golden Dogs: Rockin’ from Toronto… plus their cover of “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five” makes me smile.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this late night (or early morning) super sized edition of Pick Three. Belle and Sebastian are getting me through the long dark night of the soul yet it’s not quite 3 am, is it (and no they’re not playing). Email smoke alarms to musicblog@sxsw.com. Oooh, doves just came on! There’s one record I’m looking forward to. C’mon Jimi, Jez and Andy! I’m waiting! lp

Original post by LP