Ah, autumn. A time for raking leaves, drinking Dark & Stormies (dark rum and ginger beer -- look into it), and running ourselves ragged trying to see every worthwhile show on offer during the week-long whirlwind that is the CMJ Music Marathon. Every year around this time, bands big (Medeski, Martin and Wood), medium (The Shins), small (Cold War Kids) and teensy (Annuals) descend on New York to prove their mettle, win new fans and in some cases, simply get signed to a label. Tomorrow it all begins. There are craploads of acts we're hoping to catch, and craploads more we've heard buzz about. With hundreds of artists and scores of shows, it's effin' hard to know where to go, who to see and what to ditch. But we're gonna cover the bases as best we can. Check back after the festival ends November 4th for the acts that rocked us for real. In the meantime, check out the bands we're looking forward to seeing most . . .

• Mew -- Danish art-rockers with whimsical lyrics and sweet melodies
• Tokyo Police Club -- The latest Canadian import, these guys have cornered the market on ragged indie punk
• Young Love -- Glammy, disco-infused dance-rock; has the potential to be the next Panic! At the Disco
• The Horrors -- Cramps-ish goth punk with a sartorial flare
• Ferraby Lionheart -- Scruffy folk singer-songwriter
• The Knife -- Uber-stylish Swedish electronica outfit
• We Are The Fury -- Guilty pleasure-steez Ohio pop-punkers
• Percee P -- South Bronx hip hopper with indie cred and an old-school sound
• Lavender Diamond -- Woozy folk pop that reduces even your most cynical New Yorker into an elated optimist
• Black Lips -- Garage rockers from the dirty south who make the girls weak in the knees