This week the imaginary mailbin had loads of treasures, though a surprisingly small number of Northwest releases. Here are some highlights:

• Best of the bin: The Saps, a Chicago-based band whose debut release C'mon Already - Start a Fire officially (self) releases on March 27th. Expect an imaginary review forthcoming, and follow the link to their MySpace page to find tour info for Chicago, New York, and Boston for late March.
• Traveled the farthest to get here: The Dark Beaks, who braved customs to send their CD Spill Your Heart all the way from Dunedin, New Zealand (!!). Thanks, fellas!

And this week in Northwest releases in the imaginary mailbins...

• Pufferfish: An alt-country Seattle-based band with a lovely packaged release called Hello Zero. They have a show on Thursday, March 15th at the Sunset, with Levi Fuller and Amateur Radio Operator.
• Jonah: You can hear the earnestness in their soaring, layered rock music on Trust Everyone Before They Break Your Heart, the debut release from this Portland band.
• The Webelos: A bedroom-pop band from Seattle, sent us a nicely-DIYed three-song EP. They have two all-ages shows in April -- at the Dearborn House on 4/21 and the SS Marie Antoinette on 4/28.

• North Twin: Another Seattle band, this one twangy and tasty and featuring former members of the legendary Radio Nationals and Lazy Susan. They're hosting their CD release show 3/16 at the Sunset with Kim Virant and Dept of Energy, and are also playing live on KEXP's Swingin' Doors on 3/15. Busy busy!
• Dept of Energy: Speaking of Dept of Energy, they also have a new record. It's called Held By Waits, it released on Roam Records on March 6th, and it's overflowing with the crunchy pop goodness we've all come to expect from songwriter Robb Benson (Dear John Letters, Nevada Bachelors).
• With a Bullet: Straight outta Yakima!! They bring the rock on their new release This is the Sound it Makes.
• Jared Mees: Acoustic singer-songwriter from Portland, full of lo-fi indie goodness and I bet he's spent a bit of time listening to Okkervil River (and I mean that as huge compliment). The record is called If You Wanna Swim with the Sharks... and he's playing at the White Eagle Saloon in Portland with Alan Singley, Pants Machine, and Quaker Gun on March 21st.

That's all for this week, chickies.