THEY ARE Welsh emo-poppers who've had to struggle hard to be taken seriously after cartoonish break-through single Monster. SOUNDS LIKE they're getting closer, with this choppy little tune, at times reminiscent of a merry Silversun Pickups (imagine that!) or Red Light Company. That's until the na-na-nas start showing up and it turns into Cheap Trick. RELEASE Interstate (single) Dec 6 Tear the Signs Down Feb 15 2010

THEY ARE London quintet aiming high with major label backing. SOUNDS LIKE they were gonna play Oasis' Rock'n'roll Star, but somehow ended up doing Lips Like Sugar by Echo & the Bunnymen instead. RELEASE Running Away (single) Dec 6

THEY ARE Indie rock foursome from Stoke-on-Trent, which is where the Slash comparisons starts and ends. SOUNDS LIKE the more thoughtful moments of Oasis (yes, they actually had them), think Slide Away or Where Did it All Go Wrong. RELEASE Arcane (digital single) Dec 7

THEY ARE Florida trio devoted to cinematic Bacharachian pop. SOUNDS LIKE NYC lounge poppers Ivy or perhaps St. Etienne without the electronics. See also recent C11 includees Codeine Velvet Club. RELEASE Memoirs at the End of the World Aug 25 (US) Feb 1 2010 (UK) TRIVIA The Ivy connotations strech further than the sound, as the album is mixed by Ivy founder Andy Chase (who even runs the label to which they are signed).

THEY ARE Dubliners emigrated to London. SOUNDS LIKE a somewhat soberly produced (and less neurotic) Placebo. Indie also-rans Lukas Kasha may also pop into mind for Norwegian radio listeners with good memory. RELEASE Lies (single) Nov 30 Animate TBC

THEY ARE Swedish electro-pop duo (or "pop noir" as they call it themselves) making it big in Eastern Europe. SOUNDS LIKE The Mission on a night train to, well, Berlin. RELEASE Kino International [EU] Nov 27 TRIVIA They may be tired of Depeche Mode comparisons, but the fact is that when they played Istanbul the same night this spring, DM were the ones to cancel.

THEY ARE NYC post-punk quintet three albums into their career. SOUNDS LIKE David Bowie's "Heroes" cross-bred with their own 2004 breakthrough Unconditional (which arguably is still their best song to date). RELEASE Stir the Blood Dec 1 TRIVIA Indie rock fans would probably be surprised to learn that the band's frontman Sam Endicott has co-writing credits on the recent albums by Christina Aguilera and Shakira, including the latter's single She Wolf.

WHO? WHAT? WHY? ¤ Indie supergroup Brakes rather curiously go all Belle & Sebastian on their new double-A-side single. ¤ Fans of Camera Obscura will certainly swoon along to Sambassadeur's soulful pop. ¤ Former Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley shows a mellower side on her latest single. ¤ Smoke Fairies' haunting, almost medieval take on the blues gives it a psychedelic feel that would fit nicely beside the acoustic numbers on Jefferson Airplane's classic Surrealistic Pillow.

THEY ARE Scottish alt-rockers who you'd swear were American, weren't it for their accents. SOUNDS LIKE Their muscular indie rock blend includes elements of pop, prog and emo and recalls the likes of Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters. RELEASE Only Revolutions Nov 9 TRIVIA The guitar solo is actually played by QotSA frontman Josh Homme.

THEY ARE curly Fratellis frontman Jon Lawler and singer/burlesque dancer Lou Hickey, teaming up to make cinematic big band style rock. SOUNDS LIKE this collaboration, just like The Last Shadow Puppets before them, could have made a far better Bond-theme than, say, Jack White & Alica Keys did. RELEASE Vanity Kills (single) Nov 23 Codeine Velvet Club Dec 28 TRIVIA One of Hickey's collegues at the Glasgow burlesque club is Jon Lawler's wife, whose stage name "Chelsea Dagger" gave name to The Fratelli's best known tune to date.

THEY ARE Welsh trad rockers about to release what will almost certainly be their sixth consecutive UK #1 album. SOUNDS LIKE Toploader's monster hit Dancing in the Moonlight. That might not be a good thing. RELEASE Keep Calm and Carry On Nov 16 TRIVIA The album title is taken from A British World War II poster giving good advice.

THEY ARE Five guys, including three brothers, from London. SOUNDS LIKE a more serious Hockey, who in turn of course is trying to relive the dandy eighties. RELEASE Widows EP Nov 23

THEY ARE South-London six-piece partying like it's 1971. SOUNDS LIKE A guitar-heavy Sly & the Family Stone. RELEASE Breakin' Out Oct 19 TRIVIA The band is obviously inspired by The Meters, so much they actually released a tribute album to the American funkers four years ago.

THEY ARE Trio from from Northern Ireland that list their drum machine as their fourth member. Echo, is that you? SOUNDS LIKE geeks on the dancefloor, see The Young Knives, The Futureheads or even early Bloc Party. RELEASE I Can Talk (single) Nov 23 TBA (album) Feb 2010 CLEVER MOMENT Two tunes in two days that kicks off with a human synth riff (see also Kent). What are the odds?

THEY ARE Sweden's biggest rock band, having ditched the plans of world conquering, now singing exclusively in their mother tongue. SOUNDS LIKE they have ditched the guitars completely in favour of a hard electronic sound. RELEASE Röd Nov 6   TRIVIA The song title is of course the famous Beatles tune Swedified, it does NOT mean "The Dachshund Man", as some cheeky Wikipedia writer will have the world believe.

THEY ARE British lads who has released three singles this year, each one a bit better than the last. SOUNDS LIKE Think Doves getting ready for a space trip. RELEASE Remains (single) Nov 2 TRIVIA "White Belt Yellow Tag" is the second lowest grade in Taekwon-Do.

THEY ARE Swedish synth pop quartet signed to the credible Labrador label. SOUNDS LIKE a-ha meets New Order. Obviously as eighties-coloured as a Rubik's Cube, but a bit lighter and softer than, say, Assemblage 23. RELEASE Islands Oct 4

THEY ARE When not playing live, only one Tom Shear from Seattle. SOUNDS LIKE This is not exactly my home turf, but the industrial synth sounds and the dramatic, almost gothic eighties vibe makes it hard not to mention Depeche Mode. RELEASE Compass Oct 23 TRIVIA Assemblage 23's first three releases were called Contempt, Failure and Disappoint. Merry fellow, this mr. Shear.

HE IS The fourth member of The Strokes to go solo during the last two years. SOUNDS LIKE Phoenix teaming up with Brendan Benson. RELEASE Phrazes for the Young Nov 2   CLEVER MOMENT at 4:50, when Julian makes sure you wake up.

THEY ARE Dork rock veterans currently out with their 7th album, mercifully not called Weezer. SOUNDS LIKE A classic power pop take on The Jam's Town Called Malice, and a massive step up from the braindead dross that was Beverly Hills and Pork and Beans. RELEASE Raditude Nov 3 CLEVER MOMENT "We watched Titanic and it didn't make us sad" at 1:10. Anyone else recalling the love montage from The Naked Gun? :D

HE IS Frontman of 90's fuzz-folkers Grant Lee Buffalo. SOUNDS LIKE Like most of his previous solo output, there is simply too much country balladry going on, but this feelgood ditty stands out with its guitar riff amusingly resembling that of Ozzy Osborne's classic power ballad Mama, I'm Coming Home. RELEASE Little Moon Oct 13

THEY ARE Identical twins with the surname Quin. SOUNDS LIKE the omnipresent Chris Walla struck producer gold once again. RELEASE Hell (digital single) Oct 09 Sainthood Oct 27 TRIVIA The two sisters live on either coast of Canada and hardly ever write together; Tegan co-wrote this tune with AFI bassist Hunter Burgan, which also contributed bass and producing skills on their previous album The Con.

WHO? WHAT? WHY? ¤ The Envy Corps sounds like MGMT meets Radiohead. ¤ Norwegian veterans Pogo Pops still play the kind of music their name suggests. ¤ The Enemy's latest single sounds (perhaps not surprisingly) a bit like The Jam. ¤ Foo Fighters go all Tom Petty on their "obligatory new song on compilation". ¤ One-man-band Maps are not so much gazing at shoes as reaching for the sky.

THEY ARE Manchester quartet bringing the grunge into new decades. For some reason. SOUNDS LIKE Curiously enough, Utopia Parkway-era Fountains of Wayne on this particular song, which is a welcome break from the exhausting grungy noise which makes up the rest of the album. RELEASE Locked out from the Inside Oct 05

THEY ARE Yorkshire quartet still unsigned (but probably not for long). SOUNDS LIKE Threatens at times to take off like a folky James, but like previous C11 favourite Jersey Budd, the Springsteen references are inescapable. RELEASE Heartache (single) Sep 28

THEY ARE Liverpudlian legends still going quite strong, allthough they're down to only the two key members, Ian MacCulloch and Will Seargant. SOUNDS LIKE they're doing just fine on their own. RELEASE The Fountain Oct 12 TRIVIA "Echo" was actually the band's drum machine, but judging from their latest album, he's out of the band, as well.

HE IS Former frontman of Madrugada, arguably the most successful Norwegian rock band the past ten years. SOUNDS LIKE Nick Cave's sensible younger brother, grown up on the American prairie. RELEASE Moon Landing (album) Sep 28

THEY ARE The new project of Bernard Sumner and Phil Cunningham from disbanded legends New Order. New Order-drummer Stephen Morris is also contributing, as is Blur-bassist Alex James. SOUNDS LIKE the last few New Order-albums, without the electronics and Peter Hook-basslines. The song is decent enough, though, allthough it's worringly reminiscent of Mel C/Bryan Adams duet When You're Gone played on a 12-string. RELEASE Sink or Swim (single) Sep 28 Never Cry Another Tear Oct 12

THEY ARE Alt.rock spearheads from Seattle. SOUNDS LIKE They've applied the dark, sinister groove from I Will Possess Your Heart to one of their strongest tunes up until now. Should suit the vampire vibe excellently. RELEASE New Moon (soundtrack) Oct 20 TRIVIA The fang flick soundtrack also features non-album tracks from The Killers, BRMC, Editors and Thom Yorke.

THEY ARE Digable Danish duo specialicing in film noir aesthetics and twangy retro sounds. You'd imagine Quentin Tarantino having them on fast dial, really. SOUNDS LIKE the best songs off their own Pretty in Black, where dirty guitar meets sugary girl group melodies and is sprinkled with shoegaze noise to melt into something best described as "surf twee". RELEASE In and Out of Control Oct 06

HE IS Whispery-voiced songwriter from Toronto. SOUNDS LIKE The Pernice Brothers in their most angelic moments, or something off previous touring partner Josh Rouse's Nashville. And then there's Elliott Smith, of course. RELEASE How to Fall Down in Public Feb 24 (CAN), Sep 15 (RoW) TRIVIA The video to this beautiful album track is highly unofficial, as Howie himself had no idea it was being made.

THEY ARE Norwegian pop sensation that popped out from outta nowhere in colourful attire and went on to top the Norwegian charts for an impressive 12 weeks with their debut single Ambitions, which only recently was tipped from the top by their own follow-up single. SOUNDS LIKE Like Danish popsters Alphabeat, they resemble quite a few guilty pleasures from the merry eighties. Like Boy Meets Girl's Waiting for a Star to Fall. RELEASE Sometimes (digital single) Sep 12   Caught in a Life Oct 18 TRIVIA They are supporting a-ha on their UK dates in November.

THEY ARE Indie quartet from Canterbury, Kent with a bandname that make them virtually un-searchable on all music services. SOUNDS LIKE a slightly more uplifting take of the anthemic gloom of Editors, The Cinematics and (inevitably) The Departure. RELEASE Departure EP Sep 07 The Shapes We Fear Are Our Own TBD

THEY ARE Oasis-approved Swedish/English five-piece that looks like The Black Crowes did in 1992. SOUNDS LIKE Band of Horses setting (a few more) words to Pink Floyd's One of These Days - or Kings of Leon if they were any good and had a vocalist that didn't sound like Anastacia. RELEASE Broken Side of Time Sep 21

UPDATED NOV 30: NOW WITH VIDEO! HE IS Constantly heartbroken Sheffield crooner with a past in 90's britpop bands Longpigs and Pulp. SOUNDS LIKE His own The Ocean, actually. Doesn't matter, it's beautiful all the same. RELEASE Truelove's Gutter Sep 21 TRIVIA Like all his previous album titles, this also refers to an old Sheffield street or landmark.

THEY ARE LA noise-poppers who appearantly enjoy a good old game of musical chairs. SOUNDS LIKE Angsty lyrics? Slightly whiny vocals? Big Muff pedal? Melancholy and (infinite) sadness? OK, the Smashing Pumpkins references might not be too far off, then. RELEASE Swoon Apr 14 CLEVER MOMENT The angsty desperation after the bridge at 3:25-3:35.

THEY ARE Birmingham quartet forever imprisoned by Joy Division and/or Interpol comparisons. SOUNDS LIKE They're trying to escape by replacing guitars with Soft Cell/Eurythmics synths. RELEASE In This Light and on This Evening Oct 10 TRIVIA The song takes its name from Henri Charrière's memoirs from doing time (and finally escaping) for a murder he didn't commit.

THEY ARE Brooklyn quintet best known for haunting sounds on a Mazda commercial (left). SOUNDS LIKE they've gone for a straighter anthemic sound on their second album. They may reach more listeners, but it probably won't sell as many cars. RELEASE Sunshower Sep 17 TRIVIA They're named after the spaceship in Lost in Space.

THEY ARE Much-hyped quartet from Portland with one of the the ugliest homepages on the web. SOUNDS LIKE Bob Dylan fronting The Cars. RELEASE Mind Chaos Sep 28

THEY ARE Nuclear power trio specialicing in tales about space travels and supercontinental power balance. SOUNDS LIKE The villain theme from a Lloyd Webber MUSEical (ahem), with Robert Miles on piano. RELEASE The Resistance Sep 14

THEY ARE London-based foursome responsible for one this year's most beautiful albums. SOUNDS LIKE Radiohead's Fake Plastic Trees mixed with Interpol's NYC with a dash of Arcade Fire. RELEASE Union Jan 11 (digitally) Sep 14 (physically) TRIVIA They're rather bookishly named after an early 20th century Chinese uprising.

THEY ARE Actually a one-man-band; Seattle multi-instrumentalist Michael Lerner. SOUNDS LIKE Naïve US indie pop like The Little Ones, The Shins and Death Cab for Cutie in their merrier moments. The latter perhaps not so strange, as the album is produced by DCfC guitarist Chris Walla. RELEASE Telekinesis! Apr 07 (US), Aug 14 (EU) TRIVIA Lerner and Walla recorded the album one song a day.

THEY ARE Norwegian pop ensemble responsible for the most played song on domestic radio in 2007. SOUNDS LIKE Stadium-sized synth anthems in the style of Talk Talk, a-ha and Simple Minds. RELEASE Guns Tonight Aug 31 TRIVIA The group consists of seven men, of which two are background singers with specially coreographed dance routines to every song.

THEY ARE Crowded House-frontman Neil Finn and an all-star crew of family and friends, reconvening seven years after the first 7WC event to record a double album's worth of songs written specifically for the project. The line-up include KT Tunstall, Johnny Marr, members of Radiohead and Wilco, as well as Finn's brother, wife and two sons. SOUNDS LIKE The album opener, the Neil Finn-sung Too Blue, is co-written by Jeff Tweedy and Johnny Marr and is a piece of classic soulful pop that easily could have featured on the latest Crowded House-album. Other highlights includes Tunstall's Hazel Black and Don McGlashan's Long Time Gone. RELEASE The Sun Came Out Aug 31 TRIVIA The album's proceeds go to Oxfam.

Some good sites on which to discover new music

• Q
• NME
• indieLONDON
• musicOMH
• Drowned in Sound
• Stereogum
• GigWise
• SoundsXP
• Metacritic

...and the services used to bring you the sights and sounds

• YouTube
• MySpace (allthough it sucks...)
• Grooveshark
• ReverbNation
• Fairtilizer

The summer holiday is officially over (at least here in Norway), and artists and record companies are clearly back from vacation. Loads of great releases coming out these days, these are the greatest eleven of them.
Also, you might notice that the player on the right is new. The selection and service of last.fm was free-falling since their introduction of payment services, but with the new Grooveshark widget, you are at last able to freely listen to the complete compilation in all its glory!

1. The Brimstone Solar Radiation Band - Sanctimonious High
- They are (as the name suggests) a flamboyant retro ensemble from Bergen, Norway.
- This is the first single off their forthcoming third longplayer, Smorgasbord.
- Sounds like The Soundtrack of Our Lives. They actually look like them, too!
2. Brendan Benson - Eyes on The Horizon
- He is now probably better known as "the other one in The Raconteurs", but he actually had been a critically acclaimed recording artist for 10 years before Jack White called.
- This is the song that gave his recent fourth solo album its title, My Old, Familiar Friend.
- Sounds like he learned a few tricks from his onetime collaborator Jason Falkner.
3. The Temper Trap - Science of Fear
- They are much hyped Aussies, recently relocated to London in hopes of breaking the UK.
- This is the track from debut album Conditions with the least falsetto in it, mind.
- Sounds like Coldplay having an uncontrolled tantrum.
4. Metric - Gimme Sympathy
- They are Canadian electro-pop quartet made up by Emily Haines and three other guys (when they're not busy releasing solo albums or performing with virtually every other indie band in Montreal, that is).
- This is one of the highlights from Fantasies, finally getting a proper single release.
- Sounds like a female Killers (not exactly The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, but hey).
5. Century Man - Marauder
6. Darker My Love - Blue Day
- They are LA-based droney indierockers currently sharing two members with The Fall.
- This is a groovefest from their second album, imaginatively named 2, originally released August 2008, but not getting international distribution until now.
- Sounds like Deep Purple's Hush as Ride probably would have played it.
7. Third Eye Blind - Don't Believe a Word
- They are US alt.rock veterans for whom I must admit to having a soft spot.
- This is the lead-off single from their 4th LP, which took them six years to make.
- Sounds like the opening credits to an American Pie film (some might suggest all their songs do just that, and one of them actually does).
8. Paolo Nutini - Candy
9. Ian Brown - Stellify
- He is the ressurection, according to The Stone Roses' legendary debutalbum, which got a 20 year anniversary release this month.
- This is gonna be the first single off his sixth solo album, My Way, released in September.
- Sounds like he's still the untouchable King Monkey.
10. The Ruling Class - Sleeping Beauty
- They are English/Swedish five-piece who is obviously mad fer it.
- This is one of two A-sides on their second single, and I'm not kidding you: the other A-side is just as groovy (and just as indebted to Madchester).
- Sounds like this might be the second coming, then.
11. Radiohead - Harry Patch (In Memory of)
- They are indie eccentrics that have managed to adapt to new technology.
- This is their spontaneous download-only single paying tribute to the last UK veteran of the WWI, that recently passed away, aged 111. Get it here and support the British Legion.
- Sounds like Sigur Ròs doing Pink Floyds The Final Cut.

SUBS (and what they sound like):
Dakota - Wild Child (a somewhat whimpy take on Suede's classic Thrash)
Sugar Army - Tongues in Cheeks (Killing Joke covering Split Enz)
Richmond Fontaine - You Can Move Back Here (Wilco (the band))
Voluntary Butler Scheme - Tabasco Sole (The Beta Band peeking out from their own a**e)
The Chemists - A Love Like No-One Else (Doves' Pounding with synth frosting)

No, you haven't missed out on one. I'm celebrating two full years of C11 by skewing the calendar system. I found it a bit misleading that my monthly mixes usually were published the week after the month after which they were named, so from now on, C11 will be published mid-month.
This unfortunately means that you'll miss one month's worth of clever tunes, but I've made it up to ya by making one hell of a compilation this time: Old faves and new names, loud guitars and snarling synths, party anthems and summer chillers - and even a big beat remix!

1. A-ha - The Bandstand
- They are Norway's undisputed kings of pop, having scored 19 top 10-hits back home.
- This is the opening track off their 9th album Foot of the Mountain, which sees the trio returning to their synth pop roots.
- Sounds like Depeche Mode without the heroin.
2. The Cinematics - Love and Terror
- They are gloomy Glaswegians giving Editors and White Lies a run for their money.
- This download-only single is a taster of their second album, out "sometime in the fall".
- Sounds like an improbable Duane Eddy/The Cure collaboration.
3. Jet - She's a Genius
- They are presumably a band on the run, being named after the Macca/Wings tune.
- This is the first single from the Melbourne quartet's third longplayer.
- Sounds like My Sharona's naughtier (and appearantly smarter) sister.
4. Pete Yorn - Paradise Cove
- He is New Jersey-born singer/songwriter, soon to release a duet album with Scarlett Johansson. Bastard.
- This is a summery gem from his fourth studio album, cleverly titled Back and Fourth.
- Sounds like Josh Rouse before his fatal move to Spain.
5. Kamera - Misfortune Strikes Again
- They are another proof of the "bands with names that begin with a K are kool"-theory.
- This is the catchy spearhead of the Swedes' third album, Blank Expressions.
- Sounds like they're gonna give The Cinematics a run for their money (wait a min...)
6. Idlewild - Younger Than America
- They are Scottish punksters-turned-songsmiths who self-released their 6th full-length, Post Electric Blues, this month.
- This is the album opener, showcasing their fascination for the US, musically and lyrically.
- Sound like a surefire hit from R.E.M.'s Green, played by better musicians.
7. Better Than Ezra - Turn Up the Bright Lights
- They are US rock veterans based in New Orleans.
- This is not a dark Interpol cover, but a rather uplifting track from their 7th album.
- Sounds like readymade for alt.rock radio stations.
8. The Duckworth Lewis Method - Flatten the Hay
- They are a baroque'n'roll supergroup comprised by devine comedian Neil Hannon and Thomas Walsh of Irish power-poppers Pugwash.
- This is off their self-titled debut, presumably the first-ever concept album about cricket.
- Sounds like post-Smile The Beach Boys, added English whimsy. Latter-day XTC, then.
9. Reverend & the Makers - Silence is Talking [Jagz Kooner Remix]
- They are political poet Jon McClure and his gang, soon out with their sophomore album.
- This is the first single from it, based round the famous horn theme from War's Low Rider.
- Sounds like a coked-up Tomorrow Never Knows with a mariachi touch (a song they actually interpolate when played as the opener of their current live set).
10. The Twang - Barney Rubble
- They are baggy Brummies heavily indebted to Madchester.
- This is the first single from their media-butchered second album, Jewellery Quarter.
- Sounds like they're really trying to do psychedelic scouse, but not quite getting it.
11. New Education - Another Miracle
- They are Stoke-on-Trent foursome specialising in soaring smalltown anthems.
- This is only their second single, hinting of big things to come for the lads.
- Sounds like the guitarist might own a Stone Roses record or two.

SUBS:
Engineers - Sometimes I Realise
Defend Moscow - Die Tonight
Mew - Repeaterbeater
Tiny Spark - For You the World Waits
The Proclaimers - Love Can Move Mountains

Another month, another 11 cracking tunes, this one sees the return of some of my personal faves from the 90's - and there's even a comeback from a certain 80's act that didn't allow us to forget about them.

1. Ash - Return of White Rabbit
- Something of a curveball from the Northern Irish power-popsters, with its choppy guitars and lurking electronics, this free download is stated as being a prequel to their series of 26 singles in 12 months project, kicking off in September.
2. The Morning After Girls - The General Public
- Putting Alan Moulder behind the mixing desk is clearly not the worst of ideas for a band that wants to sound like Ride meets BRMC, as showcased by the hypnotic title track from the expat Australians' new EP.
3. Jeremy Enigk - Restart
- Taken from his fourth solo album OK Bear, this jangly track sees the onetime Sunny Day Real Estate frontman in surpringly conventional, almost country&western mode.
4. Barcelona - The Takers
- Barcelona were indeed the takers of most football trophies this spring, a feat this song probably doesn't dwell to long on, concentrating instead on taking the grandiose piano-driven anthem to new heights. It's one of the new tracks recently added to the Seattle trio's reissued '07 release Absolutes, following their signing to the big league.
5. Placebo - For What It's Worth
- Brian Molko & co return with a new drummer and funky horns (!) on the groovy spearhead single from their sixth studio album, the critically favoured Battle for the Sun, released next week.
6. Lightning Seeds - Ghosts
- It's been a massive ten years since Ian Broudie put out an album under this moniker, but it only takes a matter of seconds to recognize the scouse pop perfection mastermind behind this bouncy track, tailor-made for summer slacking.
7. Simple Minds - Moscow Underground
8. Silent Film Project - Two Days
9. Kasabian - Underdog
- The Leicester lads will probably estrange more fans than they will attract new ones what with their third long-player West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum being as weird and trippy as the title suggests. The opening track were at least straight enough to feature in the new Sony Bravia TV ad alongside Brazilian footballer Kakà.
10. The Airlines - S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y.
- LA foursome spell out everyone's favourite weekday on their debut EP.
11. Leaves - Aeronaut
- Being Icelandic and often leaning on the atmospheric and brooding, the Sigur Ròs comparisons are inevitable, but this bunch often come closer to Doves in their lighter moments, even when they bring out the brass.

SUBS:
The Answering Machine - Obviously Cold
The Von Bondies - Blame Game
Alessi's Ark - Over the Hill
You Me At Six - Finders Keepers
Superfamily - Let's Go Dancing

Due to vacations, holidays, birthdays and other time-consuming activities, April's collection is a good week late, but better clever than never, eh? You know the drill, eleven cracking tunes, perhaps particularly upbeat this time.

1. Green Day - Know Your Enemy
- I'm guessing minimalism was never on the agenda when Billy Joe & co set to return with a Butch Vig-produced rock opera.
2. The Enemy - No Time For Tears
- What better way to follow Green Day's suggestion than to check out the first single from the Coventry punks' second album Music for the People, where The Jam/The Clash-attitude is topped with Oasis/The Verve grandiosity to great effect.
3. Bob Mould - City Lights (Days Go By)
- He's pushing 50, but the former frontman of Hüsker Dü and Sugar is more prolific than ever, releasing his ninth solo album Life and Times only a good year after his eighth, it still being better than what most bands at half his age muster in twice the time.
4. LoveLikeFire - William
5. Eskimo Joe - Foreign Land
- Already huge in their homeland (no, not Greenland), the Aussie trio try their luck on a foreign contintent with their fourth album, Inshalla. In keeping with the exotic album title, the lead-off single not only builds from a Turkish snake-charmer's theme but also features a muscular guitar riff in the vein of Led Zeppelin's Kashmir.
6. Manic Street Preachers - Jackie Collins Existential Question Time
- With AWOL guitarist Richey Edwards officially pronounced dead last November, the Welsh trio pay the ultimate tribute by using his lost lyrics on their upcoming album that also see them returning to their earlier work in terms of fuzzy guitars and artsy song titles.
7. The Mojo Fins - Always Now
- The Brighton popsters soldiered heroically on after the death of their lead singer two years ago, and are finally ready with their debut album The Sound that I Still Hear. The sound they're still hearing is presumably that of The Unbelievable Truth (remember them?) or even The Sundays.
8. Tinted Windows - Kind Of A Girl
- Ten years ago, the odds would be pretty high on a Hanson/Smashing Pumpkins collaboration. Well, here you have the heartthrob from the former and the weird guitarist from the latter, joining forces with songwriter-maestro Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and the drummer from Cheap Trick in an unlikely, but most likeable powerpop supergroup.
9. The Fine Arts Showcase - The Teenage Order
- If anything, this track is certainly a showcase of mastering the fine art of emulating The Byrds (1967, to be precise), something the sympathetic Swedes aren't too coy about, naming the brilliant parent album Dolophine Smile after a track by the psychedelic pioneers.
10. Maxïmo Park - Roller Disco Dreams
- Personal highlight from the the Geordies' third outing, on which they (again) sadly fail to repeat the magic of their debut, sounding more and more like a Kaiser Chiefs without the singalong-anthems, without the hits and most importantly - without the fun.
11. Heroes & Zeros - Cipramillion
- On their second album, the Norwegian drone-poppers get some vocal help from current indie it-girl Anne-Lise Frøkedal, who appears for the third time in five months (also being lead singer in Harrys Gym and I Was a King).

SUBS:
The Tragically Hip - Honey, Please
The Mary Onettes - Dare
Montée - Isle Of Now
Gomez - Natural Reaction
White Belt Yellow Tag - You're Not Invincible

Spring is upon us, and this month's collection is somewhat more optimistic and light-hearted than the last. This time I was hoping to include some comeback tracks from some old indie heroes, but sadly Placebo, Maxïmo Park and Kasabian all failed to impress with their new outings. C11 is no place for pity or old heroics!

1. The Veils - Three Sisters
- Ferociously folky track from the relocated New Zealanders' third album Sun Gangs, out in April.
2. Death Cab for Cutie - My Mirror Speaks
- Supposedly the positive vibe didn't fit too well with the overall feel on Narrow Stairs, but this EP of outtakes from the album sessions still make for a great listen on a sunny spring day, especially this track, reminiscent of old favourite I Was a Kaleidoscope.
3. Rogues - Not So Pretty
4. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You
- Is it just me, or doees the beautiful opening track from the new pornographer's fifth album Middle Cyclone (she obviously has a thing for strong winds) recall the late Kirsty MacColl?
5. Hiawata! - Valley Boys
- Belonging to the same independent scene of my hometown of Oslo, Norway as previous C11 includees Harrys Gym and I Was a King, this lot represent the pure popside of it.
6. Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch
7. Camera Obscura - French Navy
- This timeless piece of summery soul from the Glaswegian six-piece precedes their fourth album My Maudlin Career.
8. Jeremy Enigk - Mind Idea
- The Missing Link was my definitive favourite album of 2007, and judging by this taster from the upcoming successor OK Bear, the former Sunny Day Real Estate agent is still in good shape.
9. Red Light Company - Arts & Crafts
- You know you got a killer of an album, when the fourth single off it is this good, and with a debut like this, RLC should be playing the sort of big venues their music clearly was made for any time soon.
10. Delphic - Counterpoint
- The six-minute debut single from this Manc trio shows that it is possible to twiddle the knobs and make a good tune out of it at the same time.
11. The Hours - Big Black Hole

SUBS:
Oasis - Falling Down (The Prodigy Mix)
Steve Cradock - Running Away
The Hot Melts - Edith
The Orange Lights - Life Is Still Beautiful
The Maccabees - No Kind Words

February might be short, but there certainly hasn't been a shortage of great songs, as proved by this month's collection. The variety is arguably wider than ever, when it comes to geography, gender and genres - you'll even find a piece of Russian synth pop amongst the subs!

1. Mando Diao - Gloria
- A highlight from the Swedes' fifth album Give me Fire, this soulful stomper rather curiously manages to cross the Them and Laura Branigan songs by the same name.
2. Defend Moscow - Manifesto
- If the thundering bass riff doesn't get you, the tappin' guitar solo certainly will. Oh, and inbetween there's a pretty cool synth anthem by this troupe that even features a Norwegian songstress.
3. The Wombats - My Circuitboard City
- Also with a Norwegian in their ranks, the far more familiar Merseyside marsupials return with a single that shows some musical growth (thank God).
4. The Race - Rude Boy
5. Jersey Budd - Visions Of You
- While the second single from the Leicester troubadour is a surefire energy boost, it is also so Springsteen, it's a wonder he hasn't named himself "New Jersey Budd".
6. Howling Bells - Cities Burning Down
7. The Virgins - Teen Lovers
8. Tilly & The Wall - Pot Kettle Black
- The Nebraskan five-piece re-release this outburst of a single and give us a hint of how The White Stripes might have sounded had they put Jack behind the drumkit, replaced Meg with her three angry sisters and hired a tap dancer for percussion duties.
9. The Presets - If I Know You
- No, it's not New Order remixing Editors, it's just the fifth and final single from the Aussies' platinum-selling album Apocalypso.
10. The Datsuns - So Long
- When compared to The Presets, this piece of glammed-up Kiwi cock rock proves that the even the musical distances are greater than you'd think down under.
11. Doves - Kingdom Of Rust
- The moody Mancs return after four long years with this epic single that precedes the album by the same name, due out April 6th.

SUBS:
Saint Etienne - Method Of Modern Love
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
The Coast - Tightrope
Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work
Tesla Boy - Electric Lady

Apologies for the late release this time around! To make up for it, I've made a particularly cheery collection to keep the spirits up in the dark winter months - it even features presidents, an ex-king and the boss himself!

1. I Was a King - Norman Bleik
- Fresh Norwegian indie darlings pay a shamless, yet lovely tribute to Teenage Fanclub in tune and title (presumably a nod to Neil Jung from TF's '95 classic Grand Prix, an album on which this song would fit right in).
2. New Rhodes - The Joys of Finding And Losing That Girl
3. Bruce Springsteen - What Love Can Do
- The Boss take some time off his Obama endorsing to release his 16th studio album, this highlight is even described as "a love in the time of Bush meditation".
4. The Presidents Of The United States of America - Ladybug
- Although neither Bush nor Obama is yet to be found in their lineup, PUSA made the most of their name and released a specially composed Obama inauguration song, available for free on their website. This similarly cheery track, however, is from their recent Ladybug EP.
5. The Rifles - Winter Calls
6. Sibrydion - Praying For Rain
7. Office - Nobody Knows You
- The Chicago power poppers make some beutiful Illinoise on their latest effort Mecca, generously available as a free download. I guess that's you'd call Open Office, eh?
8. The View - Temptation Dice
9. Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling On A Line
10. Starsailor - Tell Me It's Not Over
11. The Appleseed Cast - The Summer Before

SUBS:
Doves - Jetstream
Wintersleep - Archaeologists
Maribel - Taste the Trash
Metric - Help I'm Alive
Morrissey - I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris