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Best new label

Owned & Operated

If you're in the habit of thumbing through publications like Flipside or Maximum Rock 'N Roll, you may have noticed that Owned & Operated Recordings has branched steadily outside of its Fort Collins base in the past year. A record company started by former members of ALL and the Descendants, Owned & Operated has put out some of the finest and most professional-sounding releases of the past year, including fine offerings from locals Tanger and Someday I and regional acts like Shiner. Primarily a punk concern, O&O also operates Upland Records, a spin-off project created as a vehicle for more difficult-to-define artists like Drag the River and Spot. O&O's professionalism and quality output just might be proof that some old punk-rockers never die. They just figure out how to run cool, artist- and listener- friendly companies.

Best nutritious release

Get Your Beans by Mr. Tree and the Wingnuts

The Wingnuts' debut is a madcap celebration of roots raunch and the trio's "doghouse rock." Soapy Argyle brays his hillbilly-savant lyrics over his own careening guitar solos and the insane swinging of bassist Mr. Tree and drummer Shawn 4-On. It's baked, refried and loaded with musical fiber.

Best nutritious release

Get Your Beans by Mr. Tree and the Wingnuts

The Wingnuts' debut is a madcap celebration of roots raunch and the trio's "doghouse rock." Soapy Argyle brays his hillbilly-savant lyrics over his own careening guitar solos and the insane swinging of bassist Mr. Tree and drummer Shawn 4-On. It's baked, refried and loaded with musical fiber.

Best local-music reissue

New Music for Bowed Piano by Stephen Scott

Stephen Scott, whose day job is instructing at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, is an unsung musical innovator who converts his primary instrument, the piano, into a veritable symphony orchestra with a little help from his friends. He and his assistants physically pluck the pianos strings, many of which are altered with the use of bows made of Popsicle sticks and horsehair. New Music for Bowed Piano, which was first issued in 1984, isn't his finest work (1996's Vikings of the Sunrise continues to hold that distinction), but it's a welcome introduction to an artist with both talent and idiosyncrasies to spare.

Best local-music reissue

New Music for Bowed Piano by Stephen Scott

Stephen Scott, whose day job is instructing at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, is an unsung musical innovator who converts his primary instrument, the piano, into a veritable symphony orchestra with a little help from his friends. He and his assistants physically pluck the pianos strings, many of which are altered with the use of bows made of Popsicle sticks and horsehair. New Music for Bowed Piano, which was first issued in 1984, isn't his finest work (1996's Vikings of the Sunrise continues to hold that distinction), but it's a welcome introduction to an artist with both talent and idiosyncrasies to spare.

Best friend to have in a recording studio

Bob Ferbrache/Absinthe Studios

A onetime lap-steel player for 16 Horsepower, Bob Ferbrache is even more talented when it comes to the art of studio engineering, and local bands know it. In addition to a recent collaboration with the Horsepowered fellas, he's left his unique thumbprint on DeVotchKa's dazzling new platter and is overseeing the upcoming release by the Kalamath Brothers. Big Bad Bob also mastered the entire Local Shakedown disc issued by Radio 1190 and Smooch Records. Who needs Abbey Road when you've got Absinthe Studios?

Best friend to have in a recording studio

Bob Ferbrache/Absinthe Studios

A onetime lap-steel player for 16 Horsepower, Bob Ferbrache is even more talented when it comes to the art of studio engineering, and local bands know it. In addition to a recent collaboration with the Horsepowered fellas, he's left his unique thumbprint on DeVotchKa's dazzling new platter and is overseeing the upcoming release by the Kalamath Brothers. Big Bad Bob also mastered the entire Local Shakedown disc issued by Radio 1190 and Smooch Records. Who needs Abbey Road when you've got Absinthe Studios?

Best guitar tone

John Common

Rainville frontman John Common sports a six-stringed timbre that's anything but common. With a Fender Twin, a semi-hollow-bodied DeArmond "Starfire" and a pair of Boss pedals, Common creates a dinosaur tone that groans and growls, squawls and squeals. Pair it with his deft rhythm-to-lead workmanship (and his picking smarts) and you've got fully realized guitar glory. Let it reign.

Best guitar tone

John Common

Rainville frontman John Common sports a six-stringed timbre that's anything but common. With a Fender Twin, a semi-hollow-bodied DeArmond "Starfire" and a pair of Boss pedals, Common creates a dinosaur tone that groans and growls, squawls and squeals. Pair it with his deft rhythm-to-lead workmanship (and his picking smarts) and you've got fully realized guitar glory. Let it reign.

Best pedal-steel guitar player

"Uncle" Dick Meis

Denver's king of the Sho-bud puts the pedals down with area country acts including Lois Lane's Superband (fronted by Meis's wife, Lois) and Denver Joe. His star-striking skills keep area pickers' jaws dropping on a regular basis, and his occasional solo steel showcases are helping introduce others to the instrument. To quote Denver Joe, Meis is the man himself.

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