Clever Eleven

I'm still here!

2011-08-10T00:01:00.001+02:00

Well, sorta, anyway. For a while I've felt bad for leaving my small group of followers high and dry last winter by suddenly stopping posting overnight, but there is an explanation, and here it is:

Since the early ninetees I've been a guitarist and singer with various bands with - let's call it "moderate" success. However, 4-5 years ago my last band imploded, and I didn't have the energy to start all over again. Instead I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands to indulge in my general interest in music and to search the web and elsewhere for all the great music that's being made by other artists - and to pass it on through new technology to other music lovers that perhaps didn't know where to start looking for the pots of gold that's out there.

Then one day, completely out of the blue, I received a request to join a new band as a guitar player. After going a few rounds with myself, I decided that this project sounded too interesting to let slip away - and accepted the challenge. With two-three days a week suddenly occupied by rehearsals, gigs and band marketing there simply wasn't enough time left to keep the Clever Eleven blog up to the standard I felt it deserved. There is a lot of research and of course listening required in order to be able to post a handful of detailed entries every week, and sadly I couldn't prioritize this lovely activity any longer. So, Clever Eleven as we knew it reached an end after two and a half years.

But dispair not! All this time since the blog was put on hiatus, I've managed to keep an eye on new releases through a handful of my favorite sources. And I have been able to maintain playlists in the streaming clients that are about to take over the music industry - at least in some countries.

Spotify has quite recently been launched in the US, in addition to the 8-9 European countries it has previously been available in. For those of you lucky enough to be aboard this ship, you can enjoy my monthly playlist or the best of the year (so far) playlist.

Those of you living in Scandinavia have another (and, in my opinion better) offer, the "new guy in town" called Wimp. They make up their present lack of availability a little bit, by offering worldwide browser previews of the songs. Check out the regularly updated 50 song Clever Eleven (well, couldn't change the name, could I?) playlist, or the best of the year (so far) playlist!

I hope these playlists can help to quench your thirst for new tunes, at least a little bit.

And of course, you should all wish for great success for my band, so that I can quit my dayjob, so that I'll have lots of spare time to restart the blog again! The curious of you can check out our new EP on Facebook or on our official website.

Rock on!

The Courteeners - You Overdid it Doll

2010-02-02T19:24:00.001+01:00

THEY ARE
"New wave of britpop" trio who probably don't need much warming to idea of being the biggest Manchester band with a mouthy frontman called Liam.
SOUNDS LIKE
The Rolling Stones' Miss You made listenable by replacing the godawful falsetto squeals and the impotent funk with a chuggy disco stomp reminiscent of Blur's Girls & Boys or the chorus of Franz Ferdinand's Take Me Out.
RELEASE
You Overdid it Doll (single) Feb 15
Falcon Feb 22

Ocean Colour Scene - Magic Carpet Days

2010-01-31T01:11:00.000+01:00

THEY ARE
Britpop veterans kicking off their third decade as a band with their ninth album.
SOUNDS LIKE
the Northern Soul version of fellow Brummies Dodgy's blissful Good Enough.
RELEASE
Magic Carpet Days (single) Jan 25
Saturday Feb 1 (that's actually a Monday)

The Besnard Lakes - Albatross

2010-01-27T20:28:00.021+01:00

THEY ARE
Canadian collective fronted by husband and wife Olga Goreas and Jace Lasek.
SOUNDS LIKE
Spiritualized on a leash, blending shoegaze guitars, girl group vocals, understated horns and Beach Boys harmonies into a psychedelic pop soup.
RELEASE
Albatross (12") Feb 8
The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night Mar 8
TRIVIA
Their upcoming album was mixed on a desk used for Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti.

Lars and the Hands of Light - Me Me Me

2010-01-25T00:42:00.013+01:00

THEY ARE
Danish pop quartet, whose debut single (yes, this one) came out last summer.
SOUNDS LIKE
the very definition of the often cited, yet somewhat curious MySpace genre "Melodramatic Popular Song".
RELEASE
The Looking Glass Jan 25
TRIVIA
Their record label, Crunchy Frog, took their name from an all-too-literally named chocolate in a Monty Python sketch.

Ash - Space Shot

2010-01-24T23:41:00.009+01:00

THEY ARE
Northern Irish pop trio (yet again) with a penchant for astronomy and handclaps.
SOUNDS LIKE
a trendy tongue-in-cheek new-wave act from New York.
RELEASE
Space Shot (single) Jan 18
TRIVIA
This is number H (sic) in their series of 26 singles released every other week until September (with this player being updated accordingly (and alphabetically!)).

Fyfe Dangerfield - Faster than the Setting Sun

2010-01-21T22:32:00.023+01:00

HE IS
the magnificently-named honey-voiced frontman of Guillemots.
SOUNDS LIKE
one of the epic pop symphonies from Guillemots' beautiful debut album Through the Windowpane, rather than their annoyingly noisy follow-up Red.
RELEASE
Fly Yellow Moon Jan 18

Delphic - Doubt

2010-01-14T00:51:00.002+01:00

THEY ARE
(Another) Manchester outfit fusing melodic indie rock with electronics.
SOUNDS LIKE
a lost track from Cut Copy's terrific In Ghost Colours.
RELEASE
Acolyte Dec 11
CLEVER MOMENT
At 3:04 when the guitar burst into a simplistic Bernard Sumner-esque guitar solo, reminding you where these guys are from.

Bicycle Thieves - Camera Shy

2010-01-12T08:40:00.004+01:00

THEY ARE
likely lads from Liverpool with one single under their belt, on which it's the B-side that steals the show - a gloomy rocker that builds and builds until it reach epic heights.
SOUNDS LIKE
the hate child of Editors and Doves.
RELEASE
Stop to Start (single) 23 Nov
TRIVIA
The band has presumably taken their name from a song by eighties cult band (and fellow Scousers) The Pale Fountains.

Midlake - Rulers, Ruling All Things

2010-01-11T00:09:00.007+01:00

THEY ARE
Texan folk oddballs finally ready to follow up their surprise hit album The Trials of Van Occupanther after three and a half years of silence.
SOUNDS LIKE
they've left the soft rock ship and aimed for the folky, at times proggy sounds of Pentangle, Fairport Convention. And they've seemed to have borrowed Ian Anderson's flute.
RELEASE
Acts of Man/Rulers, Ruling all things (single) Dec 14
The Courage of Others Feb 1
CLEVER MOMENT
at 3:14, when the flute gives way to the band's trademark spine-chilling vocal harmonies.

Lowline - Outside

2010-01-06T16:30:00.008+01:00

THEY ARE
from Manchester. That's about all you need to know.
SOUNDS LIKE
big guitar rock of the eighties, like Echo & the Bunnymen, Simple Minds and perhaps more curiously, The Cult.
RELEASE
Outside (digital single) Dec 7

The eleven cleverest albums of 2009

2010-01-03T23:35:00.021+01:00

Happy new year everybody!

This site did not exactly thrive with life and updates the last forthnight of the decade, thanks to the hectic days of the holiday season. In return I hereby present my favourite albums of 2009 along with a player containing one track from each album - that has NOT featured on C11 through the year. Regular updates will be back to normal in just a sec. Stay tuned!

01 The Boxer Rebellion - Union
02 Red Light Company - Fine Fascination
03 White Lies - To Lose My Life
04 Doves - Kingdom of Rust
05 Telekinesis! - Telekinesis!
06 Jeremy Enigk - OK Bear
07 The Raveonettes - In and Out of Control
08 Alberta Cross - Broken Side of Time
09 The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha
10 The Mary Onettes - Islands
11 Superfamily - Guns Tonight

The Automatic - Interstate

2009-12-15T20:28:00.002+01:00

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

Goldhawks - Running Away

2009-12-13T00:49:00.001+01:00

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

New Education - Arcane

2009-12-11T00:11:00.003+01:00

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

The Postmarks - Go Jetsetter

2009-12-10T22:09:00.004+01:00

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).

Black Soul Strangers - Lies

2009-12-07T01:13:00.003+01:00

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

Lowe - Berlin Night Express

2009-12-06T23:04:00.001+01:00

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.

The Bravery - Slow Poison

2009-12-05T00:34:00.043+01:00

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.

The November Subs

2009-11-23T23:21:00.001+01:00

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.

Biffy Clyro - Bubbles

2009-11-22T21:33:00.001+01:00

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.

Codeine Velvet Club - Vanity Kills

2009-11-18T23:34:00.002+01:00

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.

Stereophonics - Innocent

2009-11-17T00:42:00.002+01:00

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.

Rogues - MerryGoRound

2009-11-16T00:25:00.001+01:00

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

The Killer Meters - Freak

2009-11-15T22:59:00.000+01:00

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.

Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk

2009-11-11T00:07:00.001+01:00

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?

Kent - Taxmannen

2009-11-10T00:13:00.001+01:00

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.

White Belt Yellow Tag - Remains

2009-11-05T00:03:00.002+01:00

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.

The Mary Onettes - Puzzles

2009-11-04T01:10:00.002+01:00

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

Assemblage 23 - Smoke

2009-11-03T22:33:00.001+01:00

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.

Julian Casablancas - Left & Right in the Dark

2009-11-02T22:18:00.002+01:00

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.

Weezer - (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To

2009-11-01T22:25:00.030+01:00

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

Grant-Lee Phillips - Seal it with a Kiss

2009-10-26T00:41:00.026+01:00

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

Tegan and Sara - Hell

2009-10-25T00:08:00.004+02:00

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.

The October Also-rans

2009-10-24T01:06:00.002+02:00

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.

Nine Black Alps - Bay of Angels

2009-10-23T00:30:00.000+02:00

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

Rob Cowen and the Dissidents - Heartache

2009-10-21T22:33:00.004+02:00

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

Echo & the Bunnymen - Drivetime

2009-10-18T00:08:00.009+02:00

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.

Sivert Høyem - Moon Landing

2009-10-13T19:33:00.000+02:00

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

Bad Lieutenant - Sink or Swim

2009-10-12T13:29:00.001+02:00

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

Death Cab for Cutie - Meet me at the Equinox

2009-10-11T00:46:00.001+02:00

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.

The Raveonettes - Gone Forever

2009-10-08T17:20:00.002+02:00

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

Howie Beck - Flashover

2009-10-07T14:16:00.002+02:00

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.

Donkeyboy - Sometimes

2009-09-29T00:29:00.004+02:00

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.

Motion Picture Soundtrack - Departure

2009-09-28T12:09:00.005+02:00

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

Alberta Cross - ATX

2009-09-21T22:24:00.006+02:00

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

Richard Hawley - Open Up Your Door

2009-09-20T23:39:00.006+02:00

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.

Silversun Pickups - Substitution

2009-09-19T00:22:00.018+02:00

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.

Editors - Papillon

2009-09-17T00:12:00.014+02:00

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.

Jupiter One - Come On

2009-09-15T22:40:00.005+02:00

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.

Hockey - Song Away

2009-09-14T22:37:00.016+02:00

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

Muse - Resistance

2009-09-13T23:50:00.008+02:00

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

The Boxer Rebellion - Flashing Red Light Means Go

2009-09-11T00:45:00.003+02:00

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.

Telekinesis - Tokyo

2009-09-10T00:35:00.003+02:00

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.

Superfamily - The Songs of the Weak Will Die

2009-09-04T02:26:00.006+02:00

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.

7 Worlds Collide - Too Blue

2009-09-02T01:42:00.004+02:00

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.

FAQ: Resources

2009-09-01T21:10:00.008+02:00

Some good sites on which to discover new music

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

Clever Eleven August 2009

2009-08-18T23:37:00.000+02:00

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)

Clever Eleven July 2009

2009-07-19T18:34:00.001+02:00

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

Clever Eleven May 2009

2009-05-31T20:31:00.000+02:00

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

Clever Eleven April 2009

2009-04-30T22:24:00.000+02:00

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

Clever Eleven March 2009

2009-03-31T21:41:00.000+02:00

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

Clever Eleven February 2009

2009-02-28T22:08:00.000+01:00

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

Clever Eleven January 2009

2009-01-31T00:52:00.000+01:00

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

Clever Eleven December 2008

2008-12-31T23:47:00.000+01:00

Happy new year everybody! Hopefully you've all enjoyed your holidays, I know I certainly have - without too much concern for the last compilation of 2008, so I really had to get to work those last days of my vacation. As December traditionally is a dry month for new releases, I had to include a few overlooked gems from the previous couple of months to stage a sufficently strong line-up, but the final squad looks (and sounds, no doubt!) as good as ever. See y'all in 2009!

1. White Lies - To Lose My Life
2. Tigers That Talked - 23 Fears
3. Harrys Gym - Brother
4. Winterpills - Take Away The Words
5. Neon Neon - Dream Cars
6. Alessi's Ark - The Horse
7. Ladyhawke - My Delirium
8. Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell
9. The September When - Don't Call the Cops
10. Army Navy - Pocket Boys
11. Kyte - Eyes Lose Their Fire

SUBS: The Hours - See The Light, Gramercy Arms - Shining Bright, Glasvegas - Please Come Back Home, SixNationState - Your Money or Your Life, Pete and the Pirates - Jennifer.

SPOTIFY LINK

Clever Eleven November 2008

2008-11-30T19:47:00.000+01:00

Yuletide is just a few weeks ahead, and it seems like rockers around the world are emptying their closets to put something out for the christmas sale. This is great news for music compilers such as myself, and once again I treat you all to a double whammy - 2x11 great songs, which even fit perfectly on a single CD (playlists included, as usual)! In addition to the many EP- and single-only tracks featured, note the heavy Scandinavian delegation this month.

1. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Thrill Me
- Noel Gallagher's favourite Swedes bring on a stompin' Southern groove on the first proper single from their fifth album, the 24-track mammoth Communion.
2. Jersey Budd - She Came Back
- Leicester-bred singer/songwriter gets a little help from Kasabian's Tom Meighan on his first single, that sound like a midwestern Paul Weller or a rocking David Gray (imagine that).
3. Mutemath - Spotlight
- The New Orleans electro-rockers are putting the finishing touches on their second album, and presents this energetic preview on the soundtrack to the vampire movie Twilight.
4. Oasis - I'm Outta Time
- Appearantly it took Liam nine years to write Oasis' beautiful new single, which is the ultimate showcase of the author's Lennon obsession; it even features a speech sample from his idol's New York days.
5. The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Assassination of Myself
- The Swedish commie punks celebrate 10 years of existence with a new album, The Cross of My Calling.
6. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Everything With You
- Watch out for this New York quartet and their shoegazey sunshine pop. It's like the last 20 years of music never happened.
7. The Raveonettes - Young And Beautiful
- The digable Danes release no less than four EPs this autumn, each with a different style or theme. This track is from the third and most recognizable outing, Beauty Dies.
8. ...and You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Festival Thyme
- The Texan proggers shorten the wait for their forthcoming album, due early next year, with an eclectic collection of tunes, with the lighthearted title track being the highlight.
9. Molotov Jive - Paint The City Black
- Umistakably Swedish blend of The Clash and not least Born to Run-era Springsteen on the anthemic new single from this Karlstad four-piece.
10. Magnetic Morning - Indian Summer
- The indie super duo consisting of Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino and Adam Franklin of Swervedriver finally deliver an album's worth of atmospheric pop, not a million miles from the latter's solo project Toshack Highway.
11. Third Eye Blind - Red Star
- They may take their time between albums, but the multi-talented Stephan Jenkins and his troupe are still able to throw out a catchy tune, like this taster from their upcoing fourth album, Ursa Major.

RESERVES: The Killers - Spaceman, Brut Boogaloo - Messed Up A Good Thing, Findlay Brown - All That I Have, Howling Bells - Into The Chaos, It Hugs Back - Work Day, Operahouse - Change In Nature, Lovers Electric - Could This Be, Nick Harrison - Something Special, Stars - 14 Forever, Coldplay - Life In Technicolor ii, The Fireman - Dance Til We're High.

Clever Eleven October 2008

2008-10-31T22:46:00.000+01:00

A slightly mellower and warmer collection this month, possibly unconsciously inspired by the recent snowfall in my hometown. Hopefully it will keep you warm, as well!

1. The View - 5Rebbecca's
- The Scottish youngsters provides this month's opening anthem, with an energetic taster from their second album, due early next year (the ortography varies even on their own website, so don't blame me for any misspelling or -punctuation).
2. The Charlatans - Oh! Vanity
- The northern monkeys finally put out a physical single release of this bouncy gem, which bears a striking resemblance to New Order's Waiting for the Siren's Call.
3. Blitzen Trapper - God & Suicide
- Another month, another eclectic rootsy pop ensemble from the States, getting the critic's thumbs up. Recently signed to Sub Pop, this Portland, Oregon act recalls Wilco in their Beatles-mimicking days.
4. Duncan Lloyd - Make Our Escape
- Poppy highlight from the Maxïmo Park axeman's solo album, which more or less sounds like a collection of demo versions of his proper band.
5. Bloc Party - Talons
- Kele & co whip out a surprise single for the physical release of their third album Intimacy.
6. Robin Thicke - Magic
- Slick, yet classy soul from LA white boy with an obvious Marvin Gaye-obsession.
7. Attic Lights - Walkie Talkie
- Just one of many joyous highlights from the Glaswegians' remarkably tune-and-harmony-heavy debut album Friday Night Lights.
8. Josh Pyke - Don't Wanna Let You Down
- On his second proper album, the Aussie troubadour takes good care of the Elliott Smith/Matthew Jay heritage.
9. The Broken West - Perfect Games
10. The King Blues - My Boulder
- Scruffy, yet highly infectious singalong folk-punk from London outfit, with political tendencies and a frontman called Fruitbag.
11. The Cure - Underneath the Stars
- Lush and atmospheric opening track from Lipstick-Bob's latest longplayer.

SUBS: Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care, Ben Folds - Kylie From Connecticut, Golden Silvers - Magic Touch, The Rifles - The Great Escape, Razorlight - Wire To Wire.

Clever Eleven September 2008

2008-09-30T23:46:00.000+02:00

The September selection is not only notable for the spectacular assembly of anticipated indie royalty "comebacks", but also for a remarkably high share of eighties-tinged synth pop. But relax, die-hards, there's still plenty of heavy gauged guitar to go around for those autumn air raids!

1. Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss a Beat
- Another fist-pumping anthem from Ricky Wilson & co; allegedly features inaudible backing vocals from Lily Allen.
2. Captain - Echoes Of Fashion
- If they manage to get their second album out, this is what to expect, 80's flavoured pop perfection, not a million miles from C11 favourites Royworld.
3. Underground Railroad - Kill Me Now (Or you Never Will)
- Allthough this grungy gang is located in London and sounds remarkably un-French - who'd expected two representatives from France in one edition of C11? Not me.
4. The Killers - Human
- The Vegas bunch return to what they do best, but not even the cleverest minds (that includes me, obviously) can tell whether we are human or dancer.
5. Grantura - Down from the Mountain
- The band name, as the music itself, may link Grand Canyon and Ventura, but these harmonic horsemen are actually from the dusty streets of South London, imagine that.
6. Snow Patrol - Take Back The City
- The upcoming single from the ballad-friendly Brits show less gloom and more balls than their previous efforts.
7. Tahiti 80 - All Around
- The new single from the French foursome is a pleasant slice of soft rock that should have fellow countrymen Phoenix taking notes, are they still awake.
8. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
- Honest working class rock from Noo Joisee act, that diserves credit for sounding less like The Boss than a Levellers/Killers hybride, despite singing about cars, rivers and the good ole days.
9. The Dears - Money Babies
- A song unfortunately too typical for the troubled Canadians' upcoming album Missiles: despite the tasteful arrangement and beautiful melody, the song doesn't really seem to go anywhere, and just as it's finding its groove, it's over!
10. Van She - Kelly
- The Oz technofiles find a free seat between M83 and Cut Copy and give their two-year old debut single a makeover for their brilliant debut album V.
11. Travis - Song to Self
- The likeable Scots have appearantly turned their amps up on their recent album Ode to J.Smith, in an attempt to regain some of the territory lost to Coldplay during the last 5-6 years.

SUBS: Sigur Rós - Inní mér syngur vitleysingur, Absentee - Bitchstealer, The Raveonettes - Vintage Future, Elvis Costello And The Imposters - No Hiding Place, Iglu & Hartly - In This City

Clever Eleven August 2008

2008-08-31T22:41:00.000+02:00

This month's squad boasts a few veterans side by side with a heap of fresh or little known faces. The Little Ones are the only act to break the brit barrier, but at least each of the four UK countries is represented.

1. Red Light Company - Meccano
- Joyous debut single from London-based five-piece that proves that chant-alongs ala Black Kids or Los Campesinos! don't have to be irritating, as long as the actual song is good.
2. Oasis - The Shock Of the Lightning
- In the impressive company of Supersonic, Some Might Say, D'You Know What I Mean, Go Let it Out, The Hindu Times and Lyla, this nobrainer is clearly the weakest leadoff single from any Oasis album, but NME leaves hope for the forthcoming album by stating it's only the fifth best song on it.
3. The All New Adventures Of Us - 45 Forever
- In good indie spirit this band counts seven musicians that chose the Scandinavian forests for recording their debut album that contains this celebration of the preferred record format.
4. The Primary 5 - So Much To Find
- The former Teenage Fanclub drummer Paul Quinn doesn't stray too far from his roots with his solo project, but adds a nice little bit o' twang to the melodic mix.
5. White Lies - Death
- Their mundane debut single Unfinished Business was strangely over-hyped, but the follow-up shows that these Chiswick chaps might head for the musical space The Killers left when they went all Springsteen.
6. The Little Ones - All Your Modern Boxes
7. Feeder - Tracing Lines
- Fans were not overly impressed by this pretty decent Maxïmo Park imitation from the Welsh veterans, but took up a petition demanding new songs and a physical release of this single!
8. Fox Cubs - You Never Learn
- Another serious contender for the aforementioned Killers-spot, as these guys totally rips off Mr. Brightside (but cleverly omits them from their MySpace "influenced by"-list).
9. The Coral - Being Somebody Else
- The obligatory new song on the scousers' upcoming singles collection is a pleasant pastoral with sweeping strings that recalls classics like The Ballad of Easy Rider, Hazey Jane II or any Shack tune, really.
10. David Holmes - I Heard Wonders
- The Northern-Irish remixer and soundtracker goes "serious musician" and even dabbles with groovy nu-gazing on the first single from upcoming album The Holy Pictures.
11. Captain Wilberforce - You Must Remember This
- Forget the goofy alias, Leeds lad Simon Bristoll's one man band has delivered a magnificent album packed to the brim with the kind of sofisticated, yet potent power pop defined by Matthew Sweet, Auer/Stringfellow and Falkner/Manning.

SUBS NOT USED: The Faff - That's A Nice Glove?, The Ryes - How Come Loretta, The Tamborines - Come Together, Conor Oberst - Moab, Ron Sexsmith - Brandy Alexander, The Dandy Warhols - Legend of the Last of the Outlaw Truckers aka the Ballad of Sheriff Shorty.

Clever Eleven July 2008

2008-07-31T14:44:00.000+02:00

My apologies for being late this month, but everything goes a little slower in the summertime. Obviously that's the case in the music business, as well, as there haven't been too many great tracks around since late June. However, things are looking good ahead, and this month's C11 contains several previews of what's to come.

1. The Stills - Being Here
- The Canadian quintet returns in style with this Snow Patrol-y anthemic first single lifted from their upcoming album Oceans Will Rise.
2. Das Pop - Underground
- Belgian veterans ditch their previous electronic noodlings and aim for international success with this summery piece of soulful..well, pop.
3. Goldfrapp - Caravan Girl
- English folktronica duo Goldfrapp also favours "folk" to "tronica" on the blissful third single off their fourth album Seventh Tree.
4. Sparkadia - Animals
- This driving piece of melancholy shimmer off the Aussie foursome's album Postcards makes you forget about the disappointing Guillemots album.
5. The Rifles - I Could Never Lie
- The London lads admit to not having changed the winning team with this joyful taster from their sophomore album, due in October.
6. Jupiter One - Platform Moon
- With their Ladytron meet The Police-postpunk this Brooklyn outfit suddenly found some European glory after this 2007 track was used in a Mazda commercial.
7. Attic Lights - Bring You Down
- Starts off like Glasvegas, before it turns into Cosmic Rough Riders, and finally giving way for a Teenage Fanclub-esque chorus. No points for guessing this quintet's hometown, then.
8. The Satin Peaches - Wash It Away
- Big-sounding, guitar-chiming indie from Detroit that recalls prime-time Placebo or a less whiny Smashing Pumpkins.
9. The Automatic - Steve McQueen
- The Cardiff-based emo-popsters has traded their annoying squeaky-voiced keyboardist for another guitarist/singer and thus sound more heavy and less novelty.
10. The Pigeon Detectives - Everybody Wants Me
- The charts will eventually tell whether vocalist Matt Bowman is actually singing out the truth on the second single off Emergency.
11. The Verve - Love Is Noise
- Triumphant and dancable return single from the Wigan legends, which also closed their majestic Glastonbury permformance (that I was lucky enough to witness).

SUBS NOT USED: Captain Phoenix - Stand By, Mêlée - Imitation, Alkaline Trio - Calling All Skeletons, Levellers - Before The End, The Shortwave Set - Now Til '69.

Clever Eleven June 2008

2008-06-23T01:29:00.000+02:00

One whole year of Clever Eleven is celebrated with an early release, due to my crossing the pond heading for London, and eventually my very first taste of the festival mayhem that is Glastonbury. This fact may have subconciously influenced this month collection, which is considerably brit-heavy, even by my standards. Seems like I'll never get tired of England, then.
Hope you all enjoy your holidays and that C11 can provide the soundtrack to it!

1. Little Man Tate - What Your Boyfriend Said
2. The Subways - Alright
3. Dirty Pretty Things - Tired Of England
4. Mark Morriss - I'm Sick
5. Primal Scream - Can't Go Back
6. Glasvegas - Geraldine
7. Sonny J - Handsfree (If You Hold My Hand)
8. Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong - Where Do You Go
9. Ladytron - Tomorrow
10. The Hold Steady - Sequestered In Memphis
11. Sigur Rós - Festival

SUBS NOT USED: The Troubadours - I'm Not Superstitious, South - Better Things, The Bookhouse Boys - Dead, Weezer - Thought I Knew, Cage The Elephant - Back Stabbin' Betty, The Loose Salute - The Mutineer

Clever Eleven May 2008

2008-05-31T21:48:00.000+02:00

To celebrate the coming of summer, I treat you once again to a double whammy! Loads of great singles this month, making it hard to select a definitive eleven, let alone to narrow the squad down to the usual 16. My suggestion is you drop your least favourite song and burn one smashing CD for the BBQ party or for those refreshing afternoon drives (preferably with the hood down).

1. The Fratellis - Mistress Mabel [radio edit]
They are Glaswegian faux-brothers currently heard at a football stadium near you.
This is the first single from sophomore album Here We Stand, out in June.
2. The Cure - The Only One [mix 13]
They are rock royalty some 30 years into their career, getting ready for their 13th album.
This is the first of 4 singles to be released on the 13th of each month leading up to the album.
Sounds like the perfect sequel to Just Like Heaven.
3. What Made Milwaukee Famous - Sultan
They are a Texan five-piece named after Jerry Lee Lewis' ode to beer.
This is the outstandig track from second album What Doesn't Kill Us.
Sounds like Spoon on a St. Patrick's Day parade.
4. Coldplay - Violet Hill [radio edit]
They are only one of the biggest bands on earth right now.
This is the dark, dramatic download-for-free first single from their fourth album.
Sounds like there's more to them than soppy balladry, then.
5. The Music - Strength In Numbers
They are a Leeds quartet about to return from four years of substance-induced silence.
This is the monumental title track and leadoff single from their third long player.
Sounds like Kasabian in Hi-NRG disco mode.
6. Ida Maria - Queen Of The World
She is a 23 year old Norwegian hellraiser currently trying to break through in the UK.
This is the third single from fresh debut album Fortress Around my Heart.
Sounds like the female Håkan Hellström (Scandinavian pop reference alert).
7. Crisis - Consequences
They are an indie supergroup made up of Paul Weller, Supergrass, The Enemy and more.
This is a proof that charity singles don't have to be self-indulging cover versions.
Sounds like the best song Phil Spector never laid his magic hands on.
8. Foxboro Hot Tubs - Mother Mary
They are actually Green Day in 60's garage rock disguise.
This is the first single from Stop Drop and Roll, which saw the physical light of day in May.
Sounds like the abandoned bastard child of Valerie and Lust for Life.
9. Royworld - Dust
They are a London four-piece with a flair for late 70's/early 80's stadium-sized soft rock.
This is their first major label single, taken from upcoming debut album Man in the Machine.
Sounds like a guilty pleasure.
10. The Zutons - Always Right Behind You
They are psychedelic Scousers lately gone glam rock.
This is the first single from third album You Can do Anything.
Sounds like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Spiders from Mars.
11. The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
They are slow-building MySpace phenomenon from LA.
This is their "secret" hit put out by the band themselves.
Sounds like The National going all U2. Successfully.

RESERVES: Cajun Dance Party - The Race, Magnetic Morning - The Way Love Used To Be, The Lodger - A Hero's Welcomes, The Presets - This Boy's in Love, Sons and Daughters - This Gift, The Young Knives - Turn Tail, Magne F - The Longest Night, Phantom Planet - Do The Panic, The Pigeon Detectives - This Is An Emergency, The Royalties - Paper Tiger, Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down.

Clever Eleven April 2008

2008-04-30T16:57:00.000+02:00

After the flood of great tunes last month, the well sorta dried up, and it took some serious digging to come up with eleven tasty tracks this month. The result is an exceptionally rocking & up-tempo C11, as a nice contrast to last month's rather poppy edition.
(due to my going on a holiday, I didn't have the time to put down the track-by-track details just now, but stay tuned, they will show up eventually!)

1. Tokyo Police Club - Tessellate
2. M83 - Graveyard Girl
3. Clocks - Old Valve Radio
4. The Last Shadow Puppets - Standing Next To Me
5. The Corrections - Barcode
6. Cut Copy - Lights And Music
7. The Subways - Girls & Boys
8. Roger Joseph Manning Jr. - Imaginary Friend
9. The Courteeners - Not Nineteen Forever
10. Delays - Touch Down
11. Lowgold - When The Song Is Over

SUBS NOT USED: The Rushes - What You Waiting For, The Little Ones - Tallies, Make Model - The LSB, Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have to Leave It, Blood Red Shoes - Say Something Say Anything

Clever Eleven March 2008

2008-03-31T15:53:00.000+02:00

Spring is in the air, and the music scene is already in bloom. This month produced an abundance of great tunes, actually enough to field TWO strong collections! My preferred eleven may not be the same as yours, so get'em both, to be on the safe side. Additionally, an extra effort has been made to make this edition sort of multinational, with 9 different countries represented across the 22 tracks. Kos døkk!

1. Infadels - Make Mistakes
They are dance rockers appearantly turned guitar-heavy anthemic indie hopes.
This is the first single from their second album, due later this summer.
Sounds like were up for some hi-infadelity!
2. Alphabeat - Fascination
They are six Danes with a shameless 80's obsession who relocated to London.
This is without a doubt the happiest song you'll ever find on a C11.
Sounds like the prequel to Walking on Sunshine, let's just admit it.
3. Supergrass - Ghost of a Friend
They are cheeky britrock mainstays that once almost turned cartoon characters.
This is perhaps the most hummable tune on their sixth album Diamond Hoo Ha.
Sounds like they picked up a few Bowie vibes when recording in Berlin.
4. Voicst - E-Slick
They are a powertrio from Amsterdam whose name means "energy" in Afrikaans.
This is one of several hard-poppin' tunes from their second album.
Sounds like something Supergrass could have done 10 years ago, incidentally.
5. Uncut - Kiss Me
They are Canadians who like to play loud and occationally gaze at their shoes.
This is from their 2006 album Modern Currencies, finally released outside America.
Sounds like The Raveonettes doing The Jesus and Mary Chain.
6. Sparkadia - Too Much to Do
They are as pleasant and snappy as you'd expect from an Aussie quartet.
This is second single from their debut album, currently only available digitally.
Sounds like they always take the weather with them.
7. Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
They are Seattle indie quartet, their awaited album Narrow Stairs, out in late May.
This is the first taster from it, a good eight minutes of hypnotizing space rock (!)
Sounds like this album might just be the "curve ball" they have announced, then.
8. Sambassadeur - Final Say
They are Gothenburg popsters named after a song by Serge Gainsbourg.
This is the second single from the album Migration.
Sounds like New Order-side project The Other Two, or rather the Pet Shop Girls.
9. Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong - Lonely Buoy
They are ones to watch in 2008, according to Q, NME and BBC.
This is their second single, as daftly named as the band itself.
Sounds like the English Strokes (before they became utter rubbish).
10. Hard-Fi - I Shall Overcome [Per un Punga di Hard-Fi version]
They are suburban knights conquering C11 with their third single in a row.
This is a remix from the digital release, originally (and aptly) titled "over the top remix".
Sounds like the Mexican gringo's I Will Survive.
11. The Charlatans - This is the End
They are true veterans who survived Madchester, Britpop and the new millennium.
This is the closing track from surpringsly good tenth album given away for free!
Sounds like two or three different songs by The Stone Roses.

RESERVES: The Sonic Hearts - To Be Someone, Envy And Other Sins - Highness, Boy Kill Boy - Promises, Guillemots - Falling Out of Reach, Slut - Come On, The Gutter Twins - God's Children, Ida Maria - Stella, Los Campesinos! - Death To Los Campesinos!, The Futureheads - The Beginning of the Twist, The Fashion - Like Knives, Caesars - Boo Boo Goo Goo

Clever Eleven February 2008

2008-02-29T21:12:00.001+01:00

Celebrate the leap year with a new zesty selection, arguably more eclectic than ever. Includes a handful of highly anticipated follow-ups from the big league - expect more to come in the following spring months!

1. R.E.M. - Supernatural Superserious
They are rock legends releasing their 14th studio album in late March.
This is yet again supposed to be "their best album since.."
Sounds like they might be right this time, mixing Out of Time jangle with Monster punch.
2. The Duke Spirit - Send a Little Love Token
They are a female-fronted indie quintet with excellent sophomore album Neptune out now.
This is the opening track, so cool they named their record label after it.
Sounds like Grace Slick fronting Queens of the Stone Age.
3. We are Scientists - After Hours
They are not actually scientists, but they do have the funniest website in indie rock.
This is the anthemic leadoff single from upcoming album Brain Thrust Mastery.
Sounds like they've stolen the riff from AC/DC's Thunderstruck!
4. The Envy Corps - Keys to Good Living
They are an Iowa quartet ready with their major label debut album Dwell.
This is one of the few songs that isn't already around on various singles and EP's.
Sounds like Death Cab for Cutie after stadium lessons from Coldplay.
5. The Feeling - Turn it Up
They are to blame for the soft rock revival.
This is one of the few highlights on the difficult second album Join With Us.
Sounds like the 70's. What did you expect?
6. Tegan and Sara - The Con
They are much hyped up Canadian identical twins.
This is the title track off their 2007 debut album, just recently released in Europe.
Sounds like Shakespeare's sister's sisters!
7. The Young Knives - Up All Night
They are post-punk Midlanders looking like Geoff, Stuart and Greg from Accounting.
This is their shot at writing the breaktrough indie anthem.
Sounds like they're gonna have to try again, but they're definitely onto something.
8. Elbow - Grounds for Divorce
They are bookish boys from Bury boldly adding prog, blues and gospel to the mix.
This is the song from whose lyrics the name of the album, The Seldom Seen Kid, is taken.
Sounds like the missing link between Radiohead and BRMC.
9. Nothing Rhymes with Orange - Hospital
They are a Miami quartet with more truth to their name than, say, We are Scientists.
This is the anthemic second single from 2007 album Hello Mysterious.
Sounds like they might be huge fans of Manc veterans James.
10. The Kooks - Always Where I Need to Be
They are Brighton brats named after a Bowie-song.
This is the first single from the anticipated follow-up to their #1 debut Inside In/Inside Out.
Sounds like they took all the best bits from said album and made one rocking tune out of it.
11. The Helio Sequence - Broken Afternoon
They are a Portland duo mixing swirly 80's-tinged pop with campfire tunes to great effect.
This is a sample of the latter, the penultimate track from lovely LP Keep Your Eyes Ahead.
Sounds like a lost Dylan-gem from 1972.

SUBS NOT USED: Cut of Your Hands - Oh Girl, White Light Parade - Wait for the Weekend, Pete & the Pirates - Bright Light, Duffy - Mercy, Glasvegas - It's My Own Cheating Heart that Makes me Cry

Clever Eleven January 2008

2008-01-31T15:00:00.000+01:00

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

Clever Eleven December 2007

2007-12-31T21:35:00.000+01:00

I hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays, and what better way to celebrate the new year than with 11 new great tunes?! December is traditionally not a very fertile month when it comes to new music, so this collection digs out a handful of overlooked pop gems from the fall (no, not the band, stupid), as well as tasters from a couple of interesting upcoming releases.

1. Army Navy - Saints
- LA anglofiles jangle, shimmer and shine on the title track from their fresh debut EP.
2. British Sea Power - Waving Flags
- With their third album out in January, BSP has obviously set the course for stadiums, although captain Yan still exhales more than he sings.
3. The Dead 60s - Start A War
- Less ska and more big tunes on the Liverpool quartet's second full-length Time to Take Sides, due out in European shelves mid-January.
4. Club 8 - Heaven
- The pleasant Swedish indie duo give a hint of how New Order may have sounded had they grown up in the Swedish countryside instead of Salford.
5. The Weakerthans - Civil Twilight
- Beautiful storytelling indie pop from sympathetic Canadians that are probably just sitting around waiting for Zach Braff to look their way.
6. Kenneth Ishak - Don't Touch My Brother
- The Beezewax vocalist finally bring some proper production to his solo work, and voilà: a soulful masterpiece of 70's strings and melancholy.
7. Stereophonics - My Friends
- Little Kelly Jones gives the ol' sandpaper throat a good workout on this stomping rocker.
8. Future Clouds and Radar - Back Seat Silver Jet Sighter
- The frontman off Texan cult rockers Cotton Mather carry the psychedelic fairground-production aesthetics on with his new peculiarly-titled project.
9. The Frank And Walters - City Lights
- The Irish veterans that is not a duo amusingly released this bouncy second single exactly one year after the release of its parent album.
10. Scouting For Girls - Elvis Ain't Dead
- The merry London popsters tell us what we already knew on their christmas single.
11. Black Mountain - Stay Free
- These soothing tones from 70's rock revivalists' upcoming second outing may sound familar, due to its inclusion on the Spiderman 3 OST (although you could have sworn you heard it in Almost Famous).

BONUS TRACK FOR ALL YE FAITHFUL BLOG READERS:
Little Man Tate - Boy in an Anorak (only 96 kbps, but legally from their official site)

Also shortlisted: Foals - Balloons, The Warlocks - Dreamless Days, Good Shoes - Small Town Girls, Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes

Clever Eleven Nov. 2007

2007-11-30T21:46:00.000+01:00

Have a spiritual advent with this month's selected 11, which have a relatively high air-guitar factor, and include no less than 4 non-album tracks! Those of you hoping for the new singles from Bloc Party and The Killers will have to look elsewhere, as they were shite.

1. Oasis - Lord Don't Slow Me Down
- The monobrow brovvahs have probably never sounded so tied in the sixties as on this digital-only single released to accompany tour documentary DVD by the same name.
2. The Alones - Silver
- Stoke-on-Trent quartet debuts with this widescreen indie gem that makes you wanna grab your air guitar and sneer in someone's face.
3. The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
- Lovely leadoff single from what disappointingly is the stylish Danes' weakest album so far.
4. Georgie James - Places
- Title track off brilliant hard-to-pick-one-song debut album from NYC-based multiinstrumentalist duo.
5. Palladium - High 5
- While we're waiting for the new album from The Feeling, this lot can give us a fix of 70's pompous power-soft-rock-buttons with their debut single.
6. Athlete - Tokyo
- A few interesting moves from London nice guys that still struggle in the shadows of Coldplay and Snow Patrol.
7. The Twang - Push The Ghosts
- Big guitars, attitude and a cleverly knicked bassline make up the bouncy brummies' fourth single..
8. The Ladybug Transistor - Always On The Telephone
- ..while the opening track from the Elephant 6 quintet's seventh full-length actually do twang.
9. Johnny Panic - I Live For
- Slightly polished (did someone say "American"?), but still hummable album track from young UK punks.
10. Matt Nathanson - Car Crash
- The Frisco-based trouadour reminds us that there was a time when all American tv-series sounded like this..
11. Gomez - Moon And Sun
- ..while nowadays, producers tend to opt for sensitive acoustic singer/songwriters or credible indie acts, or in this example from the fresh Grey's Anatomy soundtrack, a combination of the two.

Also shortlisted: The National - Apartment Story, The Delays - Love Made Visible, The Pearlfishers - Up With the Larks, The Troubadours - Here Comes the Tide, The Hoosiers - Worst Case Scenario

Clever Eleven Oct. 2007

2007-10-31T23:00:00.000+01:00

Let this month's collection warm you on those cold autumn evenings!

1. Jimmy Eat World - Let it Happen
- Arizonan veterans prove that emo without mascara can actually be quite catchy and enjoyable.
2. Shack - Holiday Abroad
- One of two obligatory brand new tracks on timely career retrospective from the original cosmic scousers...
3. The Wombats - Let's Dance to Joy Division
...while this Liverpool outfit (well, they got a Norwegian bassist, y'know!) "coincidentally" release breakthrough single as the Ian Curtis biography hits the silver screen.
4. Jeremy Enigk - Canons
- The former Sunny Day Real Estate agent strips down on what may well be this year's finest album...
5. Justin Currie - Out of My Control
...while the former Del Amitri frontman perhaps not surprisingly still got the blues on his solo outing.
6. Hundred Reasons - No Way Back
- Leadoff single from Surrey emo/hardcorester's fourth album, somewhat peculiarly recorded in Latvia.
7. Stars - Midnight Coward
- Summery and smooth from the one member of the big Montréal music family that has yet to drown in its own hype.
8. Turin Brakes - Stalker
- Loud is obviously the new quiet for the onetime acoustic pioneers.
9. Nine Black Alps - Bitter End
- Manchester quartet trade their lite-grunge for beatlesque pop with great luck (allthough NME hated it).
10. Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling into Place
- Almost back to form from long-awaited pay-what-you-like download-only album.
11. Maps - To the Sky
- This ethereal single from Northampton one-man-band suggests that shoegazers DO look upwards from time to time.

also shortlisted: Ed Harcourt - You Put a Spell on Me, Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost?, The Envy Corps - Rhinemaidens, Delta Fiasco - Paperhouse, Editors - The Picture

Clever Eleven Sep. 2007

2007-09-30T23:58:00.000+02:00

At last! The first proper edition of Clever Eleven has hit the shelves! This month provided loads of great indie anthems, with some still-going-strong old-timers inbetween.
Sheffield proves to still be better at music than football, getting three slots in this super squad (3, 6 & 11).

1. The Enemy - You're Not Alone
- With anthemic singles like this (the fourth from the Coventry trio's #1 debut album), you gotta love your enemy.
2. Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
- The Boss lets loose in style.
3. Milburn - What Will You Do (When The Money Goes)
- If The Coral and Arctic Monkeys were to get it off, this is what their offspring would sound like. And I'd take the kid any day.
4. Rogue Wave - Chicago X 12
- Forget Natalie Portman and the over-hyped Shins; THIS is the band that can change your life.
5. Foo Fighters - Long Road To Ruin
- This powerpop stomper proves that Grohl & co are best when they're not too angry.
6. Little Man Tate - European Lover [New Version]
- Standout track from slightly mundane debut album gets re-recorded for full effect.
7. Hot Hot Heat - Good Day to Die
- The Canadian Strokes add some strings and timpani for their eulogy.
8. Silversun Pickups - Well Thought Out Twinkles
- LA indie brats that have more in common with Smashing Pumpkins than their initials.
9. Hard-Fi - Can't Get Along (Without You)
- Scheduled second single with more than a nod to Motown.
10. The Go! Team - Doing It Right
- Feelgood party cracker from the Brighton six-piece' somewhat messy sophomore effort.
11. Richard Hawley - Tonight The Streets Are Ours
- Sheffield romantic croons about the streets where the great music is created. Or at least 3/11 of it.

Clever Eleven Aug. 2007

2007-08-31T23:18:00.000+02:00

This is sort of a test pressing of a planned monthly series of new (or fairly new, anyway) and interesting tunes. "Interesting" here of course meaning "to my liking".

Athlete - Hurricane
Brinkman - Change It
The Coral - Who's Gonna Find Me
Costar - Good Morning Sunshine
Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights
The Hellacopters - The Same Lame Old Story
The Lodger - Watching
Manic Street Preachers - Autumnsong
My Vitriol - War Of The Worlds
The National - Mistaken For Strangers
Superfamily - I Could Be A Real Winner

DOWNLOAD

Clever Eleven July 2007

2007-07-31T23:14:00.000+02:00

To maintain the "buzz" before the first proper edition, I've decided to construct the C11 as it probably would have looked like had it been compiled by the end of July. As these eleven show, there were actually quite a lot a great albums released this summer, here represented by an almost 50/50 blend of singery-songwritery acoustic-laden pop and sneeringly majestic indie rock.

The Bravery - Angelina
Cherry Ghost - 4AM
Crowded House - Even a Child
Editors - An End Has A Start
The Enemy - Had Enough
Interpol - No I in Threesome
Kula Shaker - Second Sight
Josh Pyke - Fed And Watered
Josh Rouse - Sweetie
Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
Rufus Wainwright - Going to a Town

DOWNLOAD: TORRENT ZIP