For someone who likes...
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA / ALT-COUNTRY

Sam Baker, Pretty World
Todd Snider, Peace, Love and Anarchy

These two discs make great gifts for a fan of rootsy, acoustic Americana. Baker's strange voice and eerily beautiful songs reflect the sadder, gaunter side of life, while Snider's tunes are funny, quirky, and intelligent too. Between Baker's stark tales of the American fringe - gamblers, orphans, streetwalkers - and Snider's rough-edged rockers, love songs, and novelty tunes like "Combover Blues" and "Barbie Doll," you've got a pretty accurate picture of America if you ask me. There's a lot of good rootsy music out there now, but these two solo artists are among the best of the best. Purchase at Amazon here and here.

For someone who likes...
CLASSIC ROCK or BLUES-ROCK

The Pretty Things, Balboa Island

Forget those repackaged rehashes of the same old baby boomer hits. For the British Invasion and blues-rock fans on your list, pick up Balboa Island, the brand-new release from the most hard-core classic rock band still active: The Pretty Things, who were around when the Rolling Stones got their start - in fact they share a birthing story with the Stones. Read more about what the Pretty Things were doing in the 60s and what they're doing now, then pick up a copy of this disc for the aging rocker locked in your basement and tell him to turn it up to 11. It's a long album with a few saggy moments, but your friend in the basement probably has some saggy parts too. Guaranteed to make a unique and impressive gift. Purchase at Amazon.

For someone who likes...
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY

Laura Vecchione, Deeper Waters

You've rightly turned up your nose at the latest pop moppet Nashville is trying to foist on us, as if their dry-as-dust major-label machine is our only choice. Now where do you turn? Try Laura Vecchione's Deeper Waters. It's not strictly country - there's rock and soul mixed in - but "Fool's Gold" was our Mainstream Pop or Country Song of the Year last year, and the rest of the disc measures up. If you're not content with Amazon's 30-second clips (and who is?) you can hear long samples of every song or full versions of "Fool's Gold" and three other tracks, including the possibly even more hit-worthy "Jane." Purchase at Amazon.

For someone who likes...
ACOUSTIC BLUES

Beaucoup Blue, Hearts at Home
Michael Pickett, Solo

The father-son duo Beaucoup Blue is your ticket to the gentler side of acoustic blues and Americana. Balance that with the most recent studio disc from the sturdy-fingered, gritty blues traditionalist Michael Pickett, and you've got an unbeatable pair of albums. Sample and purchase here and here.