It's well known by now that American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis has the mad crazy beats-in-a-box and can give Maroon 5's Adam Levine a run for his money when it comes to producing androgynously high-pitched vocals.

But who knew he could also be boring as hell? The Bothell native's yawn-inducing rendition of "This Is My Now" during the former hit show's season finale merely hinted at the trance-like zen he channels on KJ Sawka's Cyclonic Steel, which sees its release at Neumos this Friday.

The electronica album features Lewis (a.k.a. B Shorty) on three tracks that sound something like Depeche Mode covering the Benedictine Monks' Gregorian chant.

For better or worse, Lewis is not scheduled to perform at this event (Neumos, Friday, July 6, doors at 9 p.m., 21+, $8, with DJ Kraddy of Glitch Mob, Zachariah and many more).

Much more promising is Hemant Rao, a classically trained violinist turned pop musician from Vancouver who will be passing through the area in support of his most recent album, Sunshine Runaway.

Rao, whose sound is nestled comfortably between that of Josh Rouse and Collective Soul (totally not hip, to be sure, but surprisingly accurate), will be performing two intimate solo acoustic shows this week. First up is Hotwire North, a coffee house in Shoreline Friday, July 6, followed by a show at the eclectic Mr. Spot's Chai House in Ballard Tuesday, July 10.

Both shows start at 8 p.m. and are free. Coincidentally, both Josh Rouse and Collective Soul have new albums due out this summer.

And if you only pay for one show this week, make it BOAT's CD release party at the Crocodile Café Friday. Part of the Three Imaginary Girls' fifth birthday celebrations (there will also be an all-ages concert at The Vera Project Saturday,) this show features a rare performance by Dolour, one of the few legitimate retro-pop acts out there, as well as The Shaky Hands and The Western States Motel.

Just you try not to feel good (9 p.m., 21+, $8 advance, $10 day of show).