Essential 11 for July 2011

Skipping June to go into July.

1) Death of Communicaton --Company of Thieves They're obviously looking to pack the stadiums, their style has gone sprawling, the vocals soariing.

2) Up Up Up -- The Givers They sorta sound like Arcade Fire with a sense of humor.

3) Unkind -- Sloan Power pop at its finest.

4) Every Teardrop is a Waterfall -- Coldplay. With a downbeat title like that you wouldn't expect music that seems to dance on air.

5) Fragile Bird -- The City and the Colour The City and the Color/Alexis on Fire = Stone Sour/Slipknot. I read somewhere it's about the lead singer's wife, which just goes to show you that you should never marry a songwriter. Love that guitar hook.

6) Losers -- Belle Brigade A folk-rock anti anthem about renouncing being the coolest kid on the block as a life goal, with a video about freeing dogs from a pound, which ironically makes this duo the coolest kids on the block.

7) Cough Syrup -- Young the Giant The Coldplay influence is a ltttle more blatant on this track, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Strong lyrics and a good grasp of melody and a willingness to experiment around the edges of a pop song is never a bad thing.

8) What You Know -- Two Door Cinema Club Just a stunning pop song with a haunting guitar line and a subtle African influence, plus a killer video with perfectly coordinated dancing by some lovely women -- one of those videos that hook you into the song even more.

9) Bulletproof Heart -- My Chemical Romance This band is always ambitious, but they're at their best when they keep it simple, like they do here.

10) You've Got the Love -- Florence and the Machine More proof that alternative rock radio is getting woman friendly again.

11) Favorite Colour -- Tokyo Police Club Don't ask me what the lyrics mean, but sorta like the Stokes they always get by with attitude and killer hooks.