The Billions’ debut release on Northern Records, Never Felt This Way Before, is a disc that’s incredibly hard to pigeonhole. At times there are elements of ’80s electronica à la “Hey Girl” while at other times the band pours forth a melody like the Flaming Lips with “My Life.” What’s refreshing about the band is that their pop element isn’t borrowing from standard formulas. The band has a freshness and a quirkiness that serves as a buoy in a sea of mediocrity. Where some listeners may get lost is in the band’s eccentricity while others will embrace the sound for the same reasons. Check out the Simon & Garfunkel vibe on “Asya” or the Neil Young chordings and atmosphere on “Another Lonely Day.” While the Billions probably won’t break commercial Christian radio, they should make a decent run at college airwaves as their art form finds its niche. – Steve Losey