Rhymes With Kittens

This week has seen finally-blooming trees, an uncharacteristically shining sun, and Bostonians emerging from their long grey coats—just in time for some jaunty indiepop. With some help from the kindly gaylords at Total Gaylord Records, the Student Council is bringing sixteen bands' worth of twee to town for the first (Bostonist hope it's "first annual") Cream of the Pop festival, commencing this evening and continuing through Saturday.

Regional darlings Smittens, Mittens, and Hands & Knees (...ittens), as well as such friendly out-of-towners as My Teenage Stride, Shumai, and Of Montreal spinoff Casper & the Cookies, will bring their accessible lo-fi sounds, clever turns of phrase, and abundant charms to some cozy venues: the Lizard Lounge (tonight!), P.A.'s, and Great Scott. (See Cream of the Pop's myspace for the full lineup.) Suggested listening:

My Teenage Stride: To Live And Die In The Airport Lounge .mp3
Mittens: She Forgot Her Umbrella .mp3
Casper & the Cookies: Wave of Mutilation .mp3
Hallelujah the Hills (Ryan Walsh): Hallelujah the Hills .mp3
The Juliet Kilo: Poison Water .mp3
The Smittens: I Hate Vermont .mp3
The Smittens: Momus, Where Are You? .mp3

(That last song pegs this Bostonist's misspent youth a little too accurately, down to the maroon corduroys and the records mildewing in our mom's basement.)

Photograph by flickr user cadmanof50s, in the Cream of the Crop pool.