Clever Eleven January 2008 ¤

The first month of the new year has passed and produced some big tunes from lesser names, while the more established acts obviously hold their cards until springtime. Note surprising American dominance for the first time in C11 history.

1. Clocks - All I Can
Sounds like Inspiral Carpets, had they let their onetime roadie Noel Gallagher join the band.
2. The Little Ones - Ordinary Song
Sounds like Death Cab for Cutie between The Photo Album and Transatlanticism.
3. Morrissey - That's How People Grow Up
Sounds like The Mozzer produced by a cowbell-demanding Christopher Walken.
4. Nada Surf - Whose Authority
Sounds like mid-90s Teenage Fanclub, when they made the best power pop on earth.
5. Lightspeed Champion - Tell Me What Its Worth
Sounds like the indie rock Ed Harcourt (check out She Fell into My Arms).
6. Mexicolas - Easy Smile
Sounds like Chris Cornell bossing Editors around.
7. Bob Mould - The Silence Between Us
Sounds like 90mph on the highway - or pretty much like his former band Sugar.
8. Matt Costa - Emergency Call
Sounds like The Shins with a decent singer or Josh Rouse before he took the elevator.
9. The Whigs - Hot Bed
Sounds like late 80s American college radio.
10. The Magnetic Fields - California Girls
Sounds like The Jesus and Mary Chain on helium produced by Phil Spector.
11. One Night Only - Just For Tonight
Sounds like The Killers' younger brothers from up north.

SUBS NOT USED: The Autumn Defense - Feel You Now, Chris Walla - Sing Again, Katzenjammer - A Bar in Amsterdam, The Feeling - I Thought it Was Over, Sons and Daughters - Darling