The Essential 11 -- March 2011

Yes. I skipped February -- as is typical, the month is short and the pickings are slim. But things are picking up now--

1) Rope -- Foo Fighters Some really tricky time signatures here. I'm really hearing a Led Zep influence on this song without the Foos becoming a Soundgarden-like soundalike.
2) Undercover of Darkness -- The Strokes This one sounds like it could've come off their debut album, had they eschewed the heavily processed vocals. But even if the band felt out of sorts when they recorded it, as reported -- it doesn't show up here, and you wonder what they're capable of when the chemistry is working.
3) Lotus Flower -- Radiohead Sweet and deeply unsettling at the same time. The song skitters about like a cat looking to pounce on something -- anything.
4) Changing -- Airborne Toxic Event A relatively straightforward pop song for them, and a pretty good one at that.
5) This Is Why We Fight -- The Decembrists The most folkrocky song off their new album, it's threatening to become the anthem of the decade.
6) Take Me Out -- Atomic Tom I came a bit late to this song through their rather awesome video, in which they rock their I pads convincingly in a New York subway. Like "My Body" this is a BIG song.
7) The Roller -- Beady Eye I listened to it and liked it and thought immediately that it reminded me of Oasis back when. Then I learned they WERE Oasis minus Noel.
8) OMFG -- Deluka Can't get enough of those female led rock bands.
9) Windows Are Rolled Down -- Amos Lee My new favorite folkie almost rocks out on this one. Off of the excellent Mission Bell album.
10) The Stand -- Mother Mother I'll probably toss this in the pile of novelty songs that got old quick with "That's Not My Name" and "If I Had a Million Dollars" in a year or so, but for now this one tickles me just fine.
11) Will Do -- TV on the Radio They've reacted to the unexpected airplay on AAA by going softer, if no less odd on this track, but this band always rewards richly on repeated listens.

All in all, alternative and AAA stations no longer have an excuse to play Shinedown or Colbie Callait respectively. Even if they're owned by Clear Cahnnel.