Playlist: Andrew Dodson, Rachael Gordon, George Brazil

We checked in with a handful of influential Columbus music fans to find out what's been in rotation lately. They were given no parameters, so their picks range from the current to the classic and from the underground to the mainstream. Check back soon for more sound recommendations.

Andrew Dodson, Central City Recording

Petit Mal, "Petit Mal"

Petit Mal's debut EP hasn't left my CD player since it was released at Independents' Day. Here's why:

1. Petit Mal is a Columbus supergroup. Wing & Tusk, St. Moses the Black, Pirate, Strangers In Daylight - all are/were known for professionalism and solid songwriting. Petit Mal is no exception.

2) It sounds really, really good. DJ Fitzgerald, the primary songwriter, is also a badass producer/engineer. Between himself, Jon Fintel and Marc DiCenzo, the sounds on this EP are stellar.

3) I love sad bastard heroin music. Modest Mouse, Built To Spill, Aloha - strange ambient sounds and thoughtful, sometimes disturbing lyrics. Bands like this can seem self-inflated and sappy, but Petit Mal does it all with a smirk and a wink. It works like a charm.

Rachael Gordon, on-air talent at CD102.5

Metz, "Metz"

Tom Butler handed me this album and was sure that I'd like it. It's their first release on Sub Pop, their debut LP, and I've had it on repeat for about a week now. It's great. The album is urgent, with 11 tracks in under 30 minutes. And heavy. Grunge, post-punk, noise rock … it's nice to see Sub Pop return to the sound that made the label so iconic all these years ago. Their live show must be monstrous, so I'm crossing my fingers that these boys will make an appearance in Columbus soon.

George Brazil, DJ at Dirty Triff, Sweatin', Dance or Die, etc.

A Tribe Called Quest, "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm"

When the documentary came out, I rediscovered A Tribe Called Quest. "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" was an enormous influence on me when it came out, being that I loved hip-hop, but wasn't sold on it as a lifestyle (which was not a common thing back then as much as it is now… especially for kids from the 'burbs). After that record dropped, I wanted to BE Q-Tip. Years later, it's still just as listenable and influential; probably more, now that I've played around with similar production techniques and have enough experience to appreciate the sampling and sentiments contained.