A Baker's Dozen : Volume 3

01. Circlesquare - "Fight Sounds, Part 1". Aptly dubbed a "Pre-Earthquake Anthem", this song sinisterly foreshadows something massive. I wish I could hear this cranked in a goth club at 2 AM while the ghouls danced about. Be sure to check out the video to fully appreciate this one. If only Depeche Mode were still this good. (Website)

02. Doctor & Davinche - "Gotta Man". The poppier side of the UK Grime scene here. Catchy song with great give-and-take lyrics. File with the recent likes of Lily Allen. (Website)

03. Tokyo Police Club - "Nature of the Experiment". Quirky white boys from Toronto laying down a short, sharp, indie-dance style number that has really grown on me. (Myspace)

04. Phoenix - "Long Distance Call". Remember that part at the end of Staying Alive when Travolta turns to his lady and says something to the effect of "I want to strut!"? That's the way I feel when I listen to this tune. So groovy. I love the drumbeat and organ hits. This is the real gem of this set for me. Should be huge. (Myspace)

05. Sondre Lerche - "Two Way Monologue". Humor me on this one. This is admittedly a bit "Paranoid Android" with all of its parts and shifts. For some reason, it strangely reminds me of my friend Heller. No idea why other than that he may dig this one too. I like it more than I love it, but I definitely want to hear more from this Norwegian that seems like a jazzier and more twee Connor Oberst. (Website / Myspace)

06. The Stills - "Oh Shoplifter". I completely loved the first Stills CD. The new "Without Feathers" is growing on me but just doesn't have the same grab. So far this tune is the highlight for me. (Website / Myspace)

07. Bromheads Jacket - "When You Wasn't Famous". Typically these guys sound like Arctic Monkeys B-sides composers, but this not-quite-a-cover of The Streets' recent "When You Wasn't Famous" is spot on. Far too many lyrical highlights to mention, but I love the opening "This ain't a topic I'm particularly well-versed on / girls going loopy in the front row throwing you a thong / Cause for some reason I don't seem to grab much attention / the other two get more offers than I care to mention...". (Website / Myspace)

08. Nicolai Dunger - "White Wild Horses". In typical fashion, I resisted this one at first. What with the Rolling Stones rip-off song name (it's like calling a song "Hey Judith") and the obvious Jeff Buckley influence, I was put off. Fortunately I got over it. This song is a total grower. I dig it. (Website / Myspace)

09. Levy - "Rotten Love". Yet another "didn't love it at first" tune here. Subtly catchy and smooth with great guitar lines and a nice plodding drum/bass hookup. (Website / Myspace)

10. The Upper Room - "All Over This Town". The token 80s-style "lighter anthem" of this set. Definitely verging on guilty pleasure, this is a very pleasant tune worthy of its frequent plays. (Website / Myspace)

11. The Charade - "Monday Morning". And this is the token twee-pop hit of this set, included on the strength of its genius chorus alone. Even the most hardened cynic should be softened by this song and its "If it meant a life together / I'd be glad to do that". Great tune. (Website / Myspace)

12. The National - "Wasp Nest". Fiercely patient and repetitive, this song epitomies what I dig about The National. With that same vibe that Tindersticks and Arab Strap drive to perfection, this one won me over with its opening offering of "You're cussin' a storm in a cocktail dress your mother wore when she was young...". (Website / Myspace)

13. The Guillemots - "Burnt". If you've been paying attention at all, you know by now that I have a sick love for The Guillemots. "I am running out of ammunition / for the soldiers in my head / They will only love me with conditions / None of you will know until I'm dead / And when I wake without it / It's like a sun without a cloud / Beautifully serene and gentle / And that's something of which I'm proud". Honestly, it's so nice to see somebody do the piano-led slow-burner ballad with such class and such effortless grace. Dude plain has it. (Website / Myspace)