The Pillbugs: The 3-Dimensional In-Popcycle Dream (2003)

Psychedelic baroque power pop extraordinaire -- this is probably one of my favorite modern updatings of the classic late 60s UK psychedelic sound; perfect for people who like Jellyfish and XTC alter ego the Dukes of Stratosphear, as well as Elephant 6 indie pop bands like Olivia Tremor Control and the Minders.  The Pillbugs have a number of albums, all terrific, but the one I enjoy most is 2003's 3-Dimensional In-Popcycle Dream.  It's dense, complex neo-psychedelia, but also enjoyable as hugely infectious indie pop music.

Stand-out tracks include the deliriously extravagant "Neo Mega Quasi Ultra Super Groovy," the sing-along bubblegum anthem "Heather," and the sophisticated XTC-like pop of "Girl On A Laser Beam."  But it's truly a joy from start to finish, trippy headphone vibes and sugar-coated retro-pop.  The CD is out of print and it doesn't stream on Spotify, but you can check out the audio rips on YouTube, and you can (and must!) buy the digital download on Bandcamp.  (There's also a pretty sprawling Best Of on Bandcamp, which looks like a pretty great investment.)  The band has since broken up, though singer Mark Mikel has a number of really nice solo albums out there as well.

Here's an audio rip for "Neo Mega...":

Here's "Heather":

(Or just sample the entire album rip on YouTube.)

And for the streamers out there, while I don't think it's quite as consistently compelling, here's 2008's Everybody Wants A Way Out: