everyone knows the big, popular british bands: coldplay, oasis, radiohead, the beatles, joy division, and so on and so forth. and you should listen to all of those bands, because they are great bands. but what i'm going to try to do is point out a few good british bands that you may not have heard of (or maybe you have, you just never gave them a chance) and get you on the right track when it comes to good music from across the pound. no, this probably won't be an extensive study on why you should listen to each band, because i'll admit that music is subjective. what i think is a beautiful masterpiece you may not find all that thrilling. i get that. i'll about write why i like each band and let you judge for yourselves. here we go... and don't worry, i'm sure this is an invasion that you’ll enjoy.
thirteen :: arctic monkeys
hailing from sheffield, england, this british post-punk band has a large base of fans in england and a pretty good fan base in the states, but i don't think they get enough credit here. they crank out some of the best toe-tapping turned whole-body-grooving songs around. these guys have some infectious hooks and some great lyrics that provide an almost bitting social commentary at times. lead singer alex turner spits out the lyrics with an attitude and swagger, and the music sets you into a great groove. just a few seconds of listening to these guys and you'll be hooked. definitely a band that should be in your collection.racks to check out :: fake tales of san francisco, fluorescent adolescent, i bet that you look good on the dance floor
twelve :: keane
this piano rock band from east sussex has been
around for a while, but really hit the scene big time in 2006 with their album under the iron sea. they have a sound that is very distinct, especially for a british rock band. so many times british bands get shoveled into one category and left there. but the piano driven sound lends itself well to the melodic elements. these guys started out as a cover band playing songs by u2, oasis, and the beatles. chris martin of coldplay even asked front man tim rice-oxley to join them back in 1997. rice-oxley decided to stick with keane and created some great tunes.tracks to check out :: is it any wonder?, nothing in my way, somewhere only we know.
eleven :: the kooks this is another catchy band that has found fame in great britian and in the states, but strangely don't get as much attention as some of the other big bands from great britain. these guys get music. they all met at the brighton institute of modern music (dang, i'd like to go there, sounds pretty awesome). their sound is influenced by the likes of the police and the strokes but is all packaged into their own melodic vibe. their debut album inside in/inside out was fantastic, and their follow-up konk only improves the impressiveness of their sound.
tracks to check out :: she moves in her own way, ooh la, mr. maker.
ten :: the hoosiersthis indie brit-pop trio burst onto the scene late last year with their debut album "the trick to life", which went double platinum in england. they have a nice synth sound blended with great guitar licks and irwin sparkes' high, floating vocal range. this is a band that you may have heard, but have not necessarily heard of. their song goodbye mr. a was featured in the ea sports game fifa 08 and the trailer for juno. the music video to their first single worried about ray displays a playful yet dark side as the band is chased by aloof roommate ray's clay-mation cyclops turned giant monster and are forced to fight back with their instruments. these guys are just starting out, and with the promise displayed in their debut, they are going to be around and making good music for a while.
tracks to check out :: worried about ray, goodbye mr. a, cops and robbers.
nine :: athlete
this band, made up of childhood friends joel potts, carey willets, steve roberts and tim wanstall, is heavily influenced by oasis. they have a brit-rock style infused with a healthy dose of experimental synth. they gained some notoriety in the uk with their single wires (which reached the top of the uk charts) from their sophomore album tourist (which went double platinum) . they have been compared to coldplay for their intimate lyrics and experimental style. all three of their albums have brought something that i've found very fresh and new. i've been able to see them live, and they put on one great show. definitely a band that gets a stamp of approval. please check them out.tracks to check out :: tourist, wires, you got the style, el salvador, tokyo, hurricane.
eight :: kaiser chiefs
inspired by new wave and punk rock music, this indie brit-rock band has been rocking since 2005, with the release of their debut album employment. their second album, yours truly, angry mob built on the success and notoriety of it's predecessor, garnering the band the number one spot on the uk albums chart. ruby, the first single of their sophomore album reached number one in the uk and also made an appearance as a bonus song on rock band III (it's also a pretty catchy song, listen to it once and i guarantee you will be singing it for days). i like their style, their catchy lyrics and their energetic and aggressive riffs. try them out, you won't be disappointed.
tracks to check out :: ruby, highroyds, angry mob, i predict a riot, oh my god.
seven :: british sea powerthis four-piece indie rock band puts out some great, atmospheric music. it's like arcade fire fused with explosions in the sky, like pixies merged with sonic youth, and joy division mixed with sigur ros, but different. it's easy to get swept up in this epic brand of music. the have a very organic sound that i love.
tracks to check out :: waving flags, no lucifer, all in it, canvey island.
six :: the cribs
this british four-piece consists of brothers gary, ryan, and ross jarman and guitarist johnny marr. they have been described as post-punk, with a little more punk. they have been influenced by british staples like the beatles, sex pistols and the smiths as well as american indie rock bands like beat happening. they toured with death cab for cutie and front man ben gibbard has said that their newest album, men's needs, women's needs, whatever, "f***ing slays!". i agree, in a more tame verbiage.
tracks to check out :: our bovine republic, men's needs, girls like mystery, mirror kissers.
five :: pete & the piratesnew to the scene, this rock five-piece released their debut album, little death, earlier this year. they've got an early '80s post-punk sound that is raw and raucous. NME called their album "perfect pop without the pretense", and i'd agree. they kind of remind me of the kinks. they have that same guitar-driven sound reminiscent of that era. pretty obscure, but really great stuff.
tracks to check out :: come on feet, this thyme, think twice, something.
four :: elbow these guys are the band that deserves the kind of popularity that coldplay has gotten. they are a super talent group of guys with a great sound. atmospheric and full of emotion, their music sounds like the more spacious side of colplay if it were fronted by peter gabriel. these guys have earned the respect of bands like blur, u2, r.e.m. and the velvet underground's john cale, yet their highest ranking album, also their newest, the seldom seen kid, only reached #109 in the us (it did reach #5 in the uk). it's a travesty of the worst kind. their recent single, grounds for divorce, can be heard in the trailer for the new coen brother's movie, burn after reading. hopefully they will begin to get some more respect here as people come to realize what a great talent they are. they need to be in your music collection.
tracks to check out :: grounds for divorce, the bones of you, weather to fly, switching off
three :: the wombats
meeting at john mccartney's liverpool institute for performing arts (man, another school i wish i could go to), this indie brit-rock three-piece have all the makings of the next great rock band from across the pond. they just released their debut album a guide to love, loss & desperation in late 2007 to good reviews. they are an ambitious group with a exuberant sound that makes you want to dance... which is exactly the aim of their single, aptly named let's dance to joy division. this is another great band that has so much ahead of them. pick up their album and dance around your apartment/dorm all day/night.tracks to check out :: let's dance to joy division, moving to new york, kill the director, backfire at the disco.
two :: the maccabees
i fell in love with these guys about a year ago, after seeing the music video for their single first love. these guys have a great sound. their stage presence is phenomenal. they got some early exposure from the new york times, and from itunes. their sound is amazing. very energetic. very infectious. their songs just have that groove. it's hard to put into words what their music does. it's best experienced. seriously, their first album, colour it in, is fantastic. definitely worth a listen. i guaratee you'll love them too.
tracks to check out :: first love, about your dress, precious time, latchmere.
one :: noah and the whale
as i mentioned yesterday, i discovered these guys the other day. they are brilliant. definitely influenced by arcade fire, belle & sebastian, and all that is good in music, their debut album peaceful, the world lays me down is amazing and diverse. frontman charlie fink creates some extremely catchy songs, full of a wide range of emotions. including an eclectic bunch of instruments like the ukulele, violin, and horns, you'd think their music would get crowded pretty quickly, but they manage to blend everything quite well. the melancholy track "second lover" displays surprisingly mature lyrics sung with the vocal stylings of pedro the lion's david bazan ::
Oh, and when will our heartbeats fall into two lines
And the click-clack of our boot heels beat out the same time
Oh, and when will your hand find itself in mine?
Oh, and when will your hand find itself in mine?
And though I don't know your real name
Your real age, or your shoe size
I will leave this bedroom chair
And this keyboard behind
And I will love you in reality and dreams
And though it kills me to know
That when we are through
You go to your real lover
Who'll put real kisses on you
Oh well, an ex is about the best that I can do
And so this lonely, lonely hull
Has no use left for living
After finding her love
In a heart so unpermitting
And I will die and never ever hold your hand
But I'll kiss my lips and I'll blow it to you
It'll be the last thing that I ever do
And wherever you go and whatever you do
There's a man underground that will always love you
and there are the upbeat songs, most notably 5 years time, their uber-upbeat single. this is the catchiest song you'll hear this year. this band is my vote for best new band of the year. they have just the right blend of indie and awesome. if you only take my advice on one band in the list, make it this one. you won't be disappointed.
tracks to check out :: 5 years time, second lover, jocasta, 2 atoms in a molecule, the whole album.
and there you have it. it may not have the depth of a wiki article on each band, but i think it serves it's purpose. even if you don't consider yourself a huge fan of brit-rock, at least give these band a chance to grow on you, and in return your music appreciation will grow. do it for me.
if you guys like this list enough, i might be convinced to make a more north american focused list...
more to come...
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