Monitoring pre-CMJ tweets, people were apprehensive about the lack of big buzz bands on the roster. I had low-grade concerns that the talent would be as flimsy as this year’s badge lanyard, but fully believe that CMJ doesn’t need bands already anointed with big label approval. Two years ago The xx played seemingly a hundred shows when they didn’t really need to, since they were already branded stars. Not exactly underground.

And while bands don’t remain undiscovered in New York all that long, CMJ is by far the best opportunity to find diamonds in the rough. It’s all so concentrated. Talking with publisher Jen last week, we decided that if you just parked your ass at Pianos all week, you’d probably hear everything you needed to and more.

In fact, one of the best bands I caught was at Pianos: Guards. Grimy doo-wop with the potential for huge squalling break-downs, Guards delivered a genuine and energetic performance. Richie Follin (who happens to be the brother of Cults singer Melanie Follin) told the crowd, “Just cause it’s CMJ, it doesn’t mean you can’t slowdance.” Had the right boy been near, I woulda swung my arms round his neck for a little sway to Guards’ nu-old-school melodies. Close your eyes and the long-haired hipsters disappear and you’re at a bop in 1955.

Also solid was Indian Rebound, a fearsomely young talented group of fucking high school students. Citing their influence as “pretty ladddddiiiiesss,” these kids clearly understand mastering Thin Lizzy-esque rock n roll riffs is the quickest way to third base. Gosh, they start em young these days.

And in a completely different vein, Cuckoo Chaos knows how to throw down. Poly-rhythmic, sunny and noisy, these guys throw focus to the guitar rather than vocals.They’re masters at precision plucking and produce this lovely meandering afro-beat cloud. Think Vampire Weekend without the irritating predilection for foraging through a thesaurus.

Ski Lodge also delivers similarly guitar-focused tunes, just a wisp tighter. Jaunty, if a little thin, the songs are pleasingly sunny even if lead singer Andrew Marr delivers them with the deathly seriousness of Zola Jesus singer Nika Danilova. Outfitted in boat shoes and college sweatshirt, he plays his pop in earnest.

On the other end of the sartorial spectrum was Gauntlet Hair, a band from Denver who play speedy, reverby, shouty electro-rock. Just before the show, drummer Craig Nice removed his t-shirt, stuck his greasy cap on backwards, took up his sticks and beat his drums like a destructive 10 year old. Oh, and his tongue was out the entire time, lolling around the corners of his mouth. Completely transfixing. Nearly as transfixing as Gauntlet Hair’s juddering, swirling, deafening sound.

More tomorrow, kids. Mommy needs a minute to collect her thoughts…