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.