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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.