Who? Hailing from Appleton, Wisc., the Wildbirds' Nicholas Stuart (vocals), Mathew Reetz (guitar), Jon Jon Fries (drums), and Hugh Masterson (bass) have a slight reputation for making noise.

Last year, the world was a-buzz about Montreal and her multitude of pop-music offerings. But what to do when it's time to move on? Make like a settler and go west, my son! More specifically, head to Vancouver, where clean streets and cleaner beaches don't stop the kids from making dirty, ironic rock. Here's a guide to the best of the west.