TORONTO - This year's North By Northeast (NXNE) music festival was another rather interesting affair that saw a few surprises, the occasional disappointment and one band in particular that left you wondering why they were asked to play in the first place.

And with the obligatory watering holes such as Lee's Palace and the Horseshoe packed each night with groups such as Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Redd Kross and Evan Dando, among others, there were definitely a few bands which deserved to play to a packed house.

None of these more than longtime Italian band Afterhours. Based in Milan, one of the country's best rock bands -- proud to have Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs, Gutter Twins) as a fan and producer -- dazzled from start to finish, rarely letting up on guitar-driven rock tunes such as The Thin White Line (dedicated to Kate Moss) and other songs from the album Ballad For Little Hyenas, including the stellar White Widow.

Led by singer Manuel Agnelli, Afterhours also lightened things up with a traditional Italian number that had bassist Roberto Dell'Era dancing with a lady in the front while saxophonist Enrico Gabrielli strolled through the crowd. The set at the Hard Rock Cafe was simply electrifying, making you wonder if they were struck by one of the lightning bolts which hit Toronto Friday night.

Another highlight at this year's NXNE was The New Odds, three-quarters of whom were in '90s Vancouver power pop band Odds. Introduced Thursday evening at Yonge-Dundas Square by Kids In The Hall members Mark McKinney and Dave Foley, the band offered up a horde of songs from the new album, Cheerleader, including My Happy Place (known as the Corner Gas theme song) and Cloud Full Of Rocks.

Led by singer Craig Northey (he of Corner Gas theme song fame also), The New Odds didn't forget the older material, opening with Someone Who's Cool and later tossing in It Falls Apart, Make You Mad and Jackhammer.

As strong as some groups came across, there were a few that just didn't hit the mark, especially Norway's The Spirits Of The Dead, Thursday night upstairs at El Mocambo.

And if they took their name from the Edgar Allen Poe poem, they were spot on: They were at times simply horrifying. Fortunately the group had its biggest fan near the stage. Unfortunately it was the air circulating, cooling variety.

Mixing a bit of Led Zeppelin-ish rock with Jim Morrison-like vocals, the foursome tried to wow the crowd with tired, cliche material that didn't transmit well.

The group's lead singer (who changed outfits from all black to all white) also constantly motioned the audience of 20 or 25 to come closer in a half-coaxing, half-scolding manner.

"Three giant steps forward!" he exclaimed. The band's guitarist also looked lost in the music or was nodding off after a 13-hour flight to make the show.

Another disappointment had to be Kreesha Turner's set Saturday evening at Yonge-Dundas Square, but to no fault of her own.

Friday night's massive downpour caused some of the equipment to get damp, resulting in a sound that had her smooth, soulful pipes fighting for space against crackles and hissing. She battled on as best she could with songs form her upcoming debut album, Passion.

Elsewhere, Sloan's slot Thursday night at The Mod Club before a bunch of sneaker pimps (show sponsored by Converse) was very good but had the band basically missing a limb. Guitarist Jay Ferguson's sore throat kept him from singing, leaving the other three to pick up the slack.

The band's new album, Parallel Play, was touched on several times, including the first single, Believe, Burn For It, the Dylan-ish Down In The Basement, while oldies such as Everything You've Done Wrong were thrown in for good measure. Sadly, though, no Ferguson-led tunes such as Witches Wand or Cheap Champagne.

Elsewhere, British band The Vibrants ended up with a sizeable crowd Thursday night with a strong Brit-pop set along the lines of Kaiser Chiefs, The Futureheads and Bloc Party.

The Brown Hornets boogied their way through the heat on Friday.

Saskatoon's Junior Pantherz overcame some technical difficulties to win the Rivoli over Friday night with songs such as Month Of Sundays and To And Fro.

Ladyhawk were strong with ragged My Morning Jacket-meets-Black Crowes Southern rock while Spain's We Are Balboa, led by female singer Lua, shone with some great indie-rock gems.

SUN RATING: 3 out of 5