We asked our friend Nora at I Rock I Roll Blog to highlight the best NYC band she saw at CMJ this year, here’s her response:

"NYC (via Tacoma, WA) band Oberhofer – I’m pretty sure these guys are all teenagers. Okay I googled and Brad Oberhofer is actually 19. Wow. While discoveries like this sometimes make me question what I did with my life when I was 19, something always wins me over about bands that are so young, polished and so clearly talented beyond their years. Their supercharged pop-rock, which has been garnering praise all over the blogoshpere this year, won over packed crowds throughout the 5 CMJ days (they played 11 shows in 5 days!) and maybe made some of us nostalgic for our younger days too. I call that a big win." – Nora Walker

On Thursday night loungy indie band, Sport of Kings, will headline the pre-pre-pre Halloween show at Cake Shop. The band compares itself to a classy cocktail made of imported spirits with the most exotic elements being "songwriter/singer/guitarist Richard Kelly (imported from Dublin, Ireland)" and "Hong Kong’s tastiest percussion, so strong it’s banned in several American states…by Ian Chang". Each member provides his own punch that mingles well together, producing a sound that’s at once reminiscent of Pavement and The Bird and The Bee. Sport of Kings will let loose and show up in some sort of spooky/crazy get-up and invites everyone who attends to come in a costume (no pressure, though). The show kicks off with a mystery band/artist at 8:00 PM, followed by the DJ styings of Au Revoir Simone’s very own Erika Spring, then powerpop band Strange Shapes, and then of course, Sport of Kings. – Abigail P Devora

We asked our friends writing for NYC music blogs their opinion about the best NYC based artists they saw at CMJ 2010, here’s what the guys at ForTheBeat.com think:

Dominant Legs is one of the best bands we saw all week. First, at the forthebeat/Transparent show at Public Assembly with Ryan Lynch (guitarist of Girls) performing solo and then with the rest of his band at Glasslands on Saturday. The four song EP is on constant repeat for us and Lynch’s voice is mesmerizingly intriguing, to say the least.

Wise Blood was another stand-out.  Pittsburgh native Chris Laufman [a man/band with no decent pics online] seems to have exploded onto the scene since his EP release in May with one of the best we’ve heard all year. His samples and vocals translated surprisingly well at his live performances, backed with his full (and very fun to watch live) band.

Cloud Nothings played some of the best shows all week and rightfully so, fronted by Dylan Baldi, who is just 19, its amazing to see someone accomplish so much at such a young age.

"Hooray For Earth was also a big standout from this year’s CMJ, a band we have seen again and again. Noel has always been an artist to watch, but in just this past year, he has gained everyone’s attention. "True Loves," their new single was one of our favorite songs performed live during CMJ." – Steph and Kristin

We asked our friends writing for NYC music blogs their opinion about the best NYC based artists they saw at CMJ 2010, here’s what the guys at ForTheBeat.com think:
"Hooray For Earth was a big standout from this year’s CMJ, a band we have seen again and again. Noel has always been an artist to watch, but in just this past year, he has gained everyone’s attention. "True Loves," their new single was one of our favorite songs performed live during CMJ." – Steph and Kristin

We’ve been fans of Delicate Steve‘s multifaceted instrumental post-pop since it first appeared on the NYC scene – we learn today that the man’s got a record deal with David Byrne’s Luaka Bop and that his record will be released in February – well done! You don’t want to miss tonight’s free show at Zebulon with Deli heroes Buke and Gass and Nat Baldwin.