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Having survived guitar bands both forgettable (Whirlpool) and regrettable (30 Seconds to Mars), Los Angelenos Rachel Stolte and Solon Bixler started over with intimate, piano-led dream-pop duets on their 2007 debut as Great Northern. But for the follow-up, they revert to big, heroic guitars -- should-be single "Houses" even recalls not-too-shabby U2.

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Halfway through their startlingly effusive tenth album, this discerning duo frets on "Vulnerable" about how to keep its show on the road. Ex-Smith Johnny Marr and Arcade Fire collaborator Owen Pallett help solve the dilemma with chiming guitars and windswept orchestrations, while U.K. girly-pop production team Xenomania bring mirrorball sparkle to alternately anxious and elated ballads.

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London's Helena Costas sings of King Arthur and jousting knights, giant flying trolls, and a magical bull that avenges the injustices of man. Not interested?

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Is sultry English multi-instrumentalist Natasha Khan more than just the latest Sarah McLachlan for indie snobs?

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Despite their wintry chill-out origins, Nordic keyboard pair Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland create smooth, sunny sounds perfect for roller-skating on rainbows.

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Reuniting with tribute-album master Hal Willner for another intricately arranged and wide-ranging covers collection, this fallen British Invasion angel again proves she lacks the flexibility that jazz demands -- she simply can't swing.