Now hear this.

The holidays demand that you give the right gifts. But unless you've been shopping all year, you may need a little friendly advice. No problem. Read on.

Like independent films, independent recordings offer a different aesthetic and emotional experience from mainstream releases. They tend to be a little impudent, more rough-edged, and more idiosyncratic (no corporate suits to force them into rigid stylistic boxes). Add a gay or lesbian sensibility to the mix, and you have music that gives voice to artistic, personal, and political concerns that might otherwise have been masked. The following mostly independent singer-songwriters (one is solely a singer; one has a mainstream label but an independent spirit) flirt with an eclectic range of musical genres, but most tend to be folk-based. That's not surprising because folksingers are storytellers, and these folks have some funny, moving, and loving tales to tell. * Phranc, Milkman. The pioneer of folk revivalism is back with her own label and some rocking accompaniment (Warren Bruleigh of Violent Femmes produced). He new songs remark on love, on big pant cuffs, and poignantly on the emotional aftermath of her brother's murder. (Phancy Records, 1158 26th St. #144, Santa Monica, CA 90403) * Laura Love, Shum Ticky. This Seattle-based singer, songwriter, funky bass player is a hoot! A tuneful hodgepodge of Afro, Arabic, Celtic, Bulgarian, and New Orleans styles, her hilarious ditties chronicle such uncommon topics as punctured tires and her own big booty. (Mercury Records, 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90025; [310] 996-7200) * Suzanne Buirgy, A Small Word. With her powerful alto, Buirgy can either rock your world or break your heart. Clever wordplay distinguishes her love songs, with fellow wordsmith Janis Ian adding a duet voice to one particularly tender Buirgy ballad. (Attune Records; http://songs.com/suzanne; [800] BUY-MY-CD); * Andy Bey, Shades of Bey. On the next gloomy day, light some candles and put on vocalist-pianist Bey--he'll perfectly fit the mood. The almost 60-year-old jazz crooner puts a mellow spin on songs by Strayhorn, Monk, and Nick Drake. (12th Street Records, Evidence Music, 1100 E. Hector St., Suite 392, Conshohocken, PA 19428; [610] 832-0844) * Melissa Ferrick, Everything I Need. Formerly on Atlantic, the engaging Ferrick has gone indie; her new album was produced by Fiona Apple's guitarist Rob Laufer. The result is confessional and cookin'. Ferrick has grown up and fulfilled her initial promise. (What Are Records?, 2401 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304; [303] 440-0666; www.war.com) * Dave Hall, Playin' the Man. The personal is political in this folk rocker's self-penned songs, whether he's shouting boyfriend Joe's name or decrying violence against lesbian lovers. Given the CD's cabaret feel, he must be fun live. (Giuseppe Joe Records, 41 Schermerhorn St., Suite 279, Brooklyn, NY 11201; [718] 260-9308; www.guiseppejoe.com) * Carl Chesna, The Psychology of Waiting. Six slices o' gay life from a guy with an impressive, classic rocker's voice. His cover of "Up the Neck" puts a fresh spin on the Pretenders' classic. (Regular Records, P.O. Box 91, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276-0091; [212] 420-8033) * Nedra Johnson, Testify. Serious props are due Johnson for doing a rocking blues cover a Kurt Cobain's "About a Girl" and starting her CD with the line "My baby got sanctified booty." Love is surely gospel for this bass-voiced blues mama. (Big Mouth Girl and Goldenrod Records, 1310 Turner St., Lansing, MI 48906; [517] 484-1712; www.goldenrod.com)