Both are on the Cincinnati independent label 3rd Silo Records and trying to carve a niche in roots and Americana music. Together the two bands span the breadth of the sound from down-home folk rock to rugged garage band music. Here's a look at their two excellent releases:

• Len's Lounge is out with "String Band," a title that sums up the group's full sound featuring mandolin, guitars, fiddle and upright bass. It's a great evolution from the first release from the band's main singer-songwriter, Jeff Roberson, which was essentially his solo project. Now it's a true band with an intricate wall of sound. The addition of sweet-sounding vocalist Annie Winslow is a great counterpoint to Roberson's earthy, gruff vocals.

Roberson bills his sound as "mongrel Americana, a slow-burn countrified folk rock."

"There's definitely country tendencies to music I make -- mountain or Appalachian, or whatever you want to call it -- but there is so much more in the stew."

Roberson's great storytelling is the real soul of the sound. He can be at his "mongrel" best expressing frustrations with people who are "Soul Suckers," then moving to pensive storytelling on "Tennessee by Moonlight." It's a hauntingly beautiful song Roberson said he was inspired to write driving one night through Lookout Mountain in eastern Tennessee singing of his ancestors in the region who fought against each other in the Civil War.

Overall, "String Band" is the most complete roots package of the year on the local scene with great songwriting and excellent musicianship.

• The Stapletons are out with their second album, "Low Dealers -- and Hanger's On," which flashes great bluesy garbage band pop.

"We went in consciously to get more of a live feel, a fuller, bigger sound," said Jody Stapleton. "I think the songs are livelier and more edgier."

Stapleton says the band, more confident in its playing, took a leaner recording approach, banging out the songs in the studio over a couple months, rather than fiddling with the recording for six months, as happened on the first album.

Ultimately, the Stapletons have produced a good, old-fashioned rock album, meant to be played as loud as the neighbors will stand.

The CD release party for both groups will be 9 p.m. Saturday at the Southgate House, Newport ($6). Len's Lounge performs in the venue's parlor with the Stapletons in the main ballroom. Opening acts: Rockets to Mars and Earl.

Rock Machine: Original-music bands continue to try different marketing methods. The latest package comes from Grant Arnow of modern rockers Spindle, launching a monthly local music showcase, "The Cincinnati Rock Machine," which will feature changing lineups.

"We want the name to tell people they are going to get really high-quality, you-see-it-first bands that are pushing the envelope of trends out there working through the Midwest."

The inaugural Cincinnati Rock Machine is at 9 p.m. Saturday at The Cavern, 1120 Walnut, Over-the-Rhine. Performing will be 8C8, Saving Ray, Anonymous Bosch and Spindle, along with regional groups A Colder Year (Cleveland), and Element H (Lousiville).

Christmas Crooning: Tri-state artists are getting into the Christmas spirit it this week with a couple holiday music theme shows. Singer-songwriter Ryan Adcock hosts his third annual Christmas Extravaganza, 9 p.m. Saturday at the York Street Café, Newport ($5). Adcock will perform with his full band -- More than 18 local artists will gather for a Holiday Hootenanny at York Street 7 p.m. Sunday. Among those performing songs of the season are David Rhodes Brown, Messerly & Ewing, Greg Mahan, Chris Collier, Swarthy, Kim Taylor, Venus Mission, David Wolfenberger and Wussy. The event is free with donations to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry encouraged.

Happenings: Mr. Pitiful's in the Main Street Entertainment District holds an anniversary bash at 6 p.m. Sunday. The free show features many of the artists that have made the club a solid blues-rock and R&B music haven the past two years. Those performing at the free show include Sweet Alice Hoskins, Lomax, Keith Little and the Touchtones -- Organizers of the Midpoint Music Festival hold another showcase of regional music artists with the Swarthy Band, Crosley and the Stepford Five (Columbus) playing at 10 p.m. Friday at the Barrelhouse Brewery, Over the Rhine ($5) -- Pike 27 continues what it calls its "Road Trip" series pairing itself with other regional bands in the roots rock genre. Columbus' Barry Hensley Band joins the bill 10 p.m. Saturday at Stanley's Pub, Columbia-Tusculum.