Several big Fall releases are captured here by-way of Franz Ferdinand, Kanye West, N.O.R.E., Death Cab for Cutie, Stellastarr* and Broken Social Scene. Who? Broken Social Scene is an 11-piece indie collective that made buzz two years ago with You Forgot it in People, a winner of the Juno (ie. the Canadian Grammys) for "Alternative Album of the Year." Their new, self-titled album is coming out Oct. 4 in the U.S.

Just in time for Hurricane Rita, my late summer interest in the Houston slow riding hip-hop sound is represented with Paul Wall (his album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard) and a screwed and chopped mix of a track by South Park Mexican. Another who? SPM is a self-made Houston hispanic rapper that is now doing hard time in prison. Shifting to another scene of hip-hop is turntablist Rob Swift asking if the war in Iraq is another "Vietnam?" Given the political climate and rap's history of social lyrics it is no surprise to hear Swift and Public Enemy, returning with new album New Whirl Odor, striking a sound of protest. The 00s could be like the 60s but with baggy pants. Chronic power over flower power.

One striking thing about this month's collection is that it is virtually electronica-free, with the exception being the Ladytron remix of Bloc Party. She Wants Revenge has elements of digital processing but serves mostly as a proto-new wave band like Interpol and Stellastarr*

The mash-up world brings us Frank Sinatra vs. Notorious BIG because it can. Last thing, I am not sorry for putting the Pussycat Dolls on this mix. Sure it's cheesy and overdone but catchy and okay for disposable pop music.