B-Sides

Everyone has heard of Coldplay who became a mega-success in just a few years. They’re constantly compared to arena acts like U2, they sell millions of records, and have aided to the resurgence of Britpop that had been waning since the last Golden Age ten years ago that showcased seminal bands from Blur to Gene. Brit rock offers a unique sound separate from other musical genres because it integrates angular guitars, cockney vocals and catchy pop hooks. The following is a list of up and coming Brit bands, some gaining quite a bit of buzz, others still floating under the radar, all on obscure labels. You may have heard some of these bands featured on The O.C or in a commercial, but if not, you will. Most of these bands have been greatly influenced by the Post-Punk period of the 70s and 80s, but have incorporated their own sounds into the mix. These bands are the alternative to the mainstream as they focus on quality versus quantity and thus may get lost in the clutter of bigger hyped bands, but they’ll be the ones to watch for a myriad of them just released their first record this year.

1. Bloc Party - Since the release of their debut album Silent Alarm in March, I haven’t been able to stop listening to this album. That’s seven months straight! Their songs are formulated with a mélange of politics and sweet romance from the dancey and bombastic “Banquet,” to the opinionated “Helicopter.” The band increased their buzz with the recent release of Silent Alarm Remixed containing a handful of established artists and DJ’s doing exactly that: re-inventing an already incredible album. In concert, they are a powerhouse of tangible energy, giving a non-stop, sweat till they drop kind of performance, which is what every band should give to their loyal fans. blocparty.com

2. The Go! Team - Brighton, England’s sextet of both men and women have emerged to become one of the most original acts in years. Not only don’t they sound British, they have generated their own music influenced from 80s TV show themes, hip-hop and cheerleading squad music with some samples thrown in. Their debut album Thunder, Lightning, Strike has been out in the UK for over a year and is now finally seeing the light in the US with some minor tweaks because of sample copyright issues. The band has steadily been touring the U.S all year and wowing crowds with their ecstatic beats proving being different is quite good and that Mercury Prize nomination was well-deserved. thegoteam.co.uk

3. Maximo Park - Maximo Park may be another one of those revival “It” bands like the Kaiser Chiefs or the Futureheads, but they take the genre further with their electrifying and infectious sounds on their debut, A Certain Trigger. Lead singer Paul Smith lends urgency to his voice on his best track, “Apply Some Pressure” that is layered and unpredictable and asks: “What happens when you lose everything?” The other tracks range from the soulful love song “Acrobat” to the rambunctious “Signal and Sign” and “Going Missing.” This quintet from Newcastle isn’t re-inventing Brit pop, but with their tight and clanking punk-rock/pop songs, these guys could have a rather exciting future. maximopark.com

4. Art Brut - Art Brut is a term meaning deviant or outsider art, but it’s also the name of this funny and irreverent art-rock band hailing from South London. Singer Eddie Argos crafts songs on a literal level similar to fellow tongue-in-cheekers Brakes. Also self-aware about the music industry, Argos gloats on his breakout song “Formed a Band” about not buying albums from supermarkets and writing a song as universal as “Happy Birthday.” Their nascent record, Bang, Bang Rock n’ Roll, consists of screeching punk guitars, hilarious slogans about staying off crack, talking to the kids and bashing the influential Velvet Underground. Now’s the time to start appreciating some musical creativity. artbrut.org.uk

5. Hard-Fi - Comparisons to the Clash and the Specials is eminent with any Brit-Rock band, but Hard-Fi don’t completely sound like either. Richard Archer formed the band in Middlesex in 2002. The Mercury Prize nominated Stars of CCTV is their debut album that was released in the UK this year and has yet to hit the States. The record delivers a handful of worthy songs including the head bobbing “Tied Up Too Tight,” the propulsive “Hard to Beat,” the manifesto of “Middle Eastern Holiday” and falling on hard times Clash-esque “Cash Machine.” All the songs contain rough around the edges sounds that will remain in the brain for days. hard-fi.com

6. Editors - If Interpol was British, they would call themselves the Editors. Ironically, Interpol is influenced by moody Brits like Joy Division, so maybe the Editors are influencing themselves. Anyway, the band formed in 2003 in Birmingham and recently released their debut, The Back Room. The band’s lead vocalist, Tom Smith, sounds uncannily like Paul Banks or Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance. Complexity and fierce intensity comprise a number of the tracks, especially on the commanding “Munich” that’s alive with sprawling emotion, oscillating guitars and rawness. There are some methodical songs as well, but the entire album radiates a heavy-handed, underwater feel fit for extensive re-play. editorsofficial.com

7. The Rakes - On their debut cd Capture/Release, Alan Donohoe and company sing about the working class and the struggle of life done with contagious alt-rock. Some of the tracks exude guttural punk, while others offer electro tinges and bursts of mellifluous beats. Lead singer Alan Donohoe speaks the vocals in his cockney accent and sings about the routine and mundaneness of life while playing a roaring guitar on their best track, “Work, Work, Work (Pub, Club, Sleep) about drifting along without any sort of focus. The band has played some clubs in the U.S to spread their post-punk ideas and to hopefully convert new fans across the pond. therakes.co.uk

8. Brakes - Formed by British Sea Power member Eamon Hamilton, Brakes full-length debut, Give Blood offers discontented and satirical rock musings (similar to Art Brut) on the music industry and life itself. On the song entitled “Cheney,” the ten-second track consists of the band repeatedly yelling “Cheney” followed by the sentiment: “Stop being a dick.” There’s a lot of cursing, a reference to Karen O and Electrelane, a shut the hell up song, and even some alt-country melodies thrown in. Hamilton’s vocal inflections are akin to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah lead singer Alex Ounsworth as Hamilton and band rant and rave throughout this scabrous and fun album. brakesbrakesbrakes.com

9. Engineers - The Engineers are not your typical Brit band. They cannot be classified as pop or rock or anything even close to those labels. Influenced by ethereal artists Cocteau Twins and Brian Eno, the band create ambient and soothing melodies that are stripped down to light piano, drum and guitar instrumentations. The vocals are dreamy, mellow and at times hit psychedelic tendencies to form a sort of Floydian space opera. It’ll be interesting to see where these neophytes traverse and what their impact will be on Brit rock, but as long as they don’t evolve into a generic post-punk band, their music shall continue to burgeon. echo.co.uk/engineers

10. The Magic Numbers - Sugary melodies accompany this brother and sister fronted band who are ostensibly inspired by feel good 60s music. Lead singer Romeo Stodart, who sounds like the lead singer from British Sea Power, trades off vocal duties with his sister using his fragile voice to enhance the rhythms. Several of their songs fall into the wistful/folk category, but on tracks like "Love Me Like You" and "Forever Lost," the group create infectious pop songs. "Love is a Game" displays the band's easy listening style in the vein of Peaches and Herb, and the epic and orchestral "This Love" brings out their lamenting side. themagicnumbers.net

11. Clor - South London electropop group Clor are all about the off-kilter, New Wave beats. Last year the band released an EP and now move on to their appealing self-titled album full of caffeinated music. Lead singer Barry Dobin’s vocals waver and crackle on songs like the Kraftwerkian and synth infused magic of “Danger Zone.” There's also slower fare on the album with the songs "Gifted" and the Pinback inspired "Goodbye" that profiles the band's softer side. The theme of love runs amock with such quips as: "I was in love but that was yesterday/Now I'm in pain." The British result is hardly noticeable as the band take a cue from the American New Wave scene on their quirky debut. clor.co.uk

12. Tom Vek - 24 year old Londoner Tom Vek released his debut album We Have Sound in the UK to unadulterated praise earlier this year, and akin to other albums first released in the UK, it’s now arriving in the U.S. Using drum machines, keyboards and lo-fi production, Vek’s bass-driven electro/dance songs are an anomaly to the genre as they emote, especially on the affable feel-my-pain “I Ain’t Saying My Goodbyes.” Sometimes Vek’s disaffected and fractured voice emanates Brandon Flower’s of the Killers, except better. Burning drums and vocals shine through on “C-C You Set the Fire in Me,” and “A Little Word in Your Ear” borders on funk exemplifying Vek’s diversity. tomvek.tv

13. Ladytron - In 1998, Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu formed Ladytron and recruited vocalists Mira Aroyo and Helena Marnie to create this glam electropop quartet. The band released their first album in 2001, 604, which included the excellent track "Playgirl." A year later the band released another album and just followed it up with their brand new record, Witching Hour. Heavily influenced by ‘80s supergroup Human League, the group combines atmospheric synths, keyboards and desensitized female vocals to create palpable dance music. A highlight off their new album is "Destroy Everything You Touch" which includes pounding and off key electronics that evoke a lively club scenario. ladytron.com

14. Battle - This London quartet doesn’t have an album out yet, but they do have a bunch of singles that would make a great album. Lead singer Jason Bavanandan sings jaded songs about love pertaining to disconnection and alienation in by drawing out the lyrics. Battle's best and potential breakthrough song is "Tendency," a potent track that consumes the listener with fast and grinding guitar rhythms and earnest and in your face lyrics about wanting to escape. Right now the band is only touring in the UK, but with a little luck, they'll be making a name for themselves in North America. thisisbattle.com

15. Kasabian - Named after Linda Kasabian, Charles Manson’s getaway driver, this Leicester band fronted by Tom Meighan is re-inventing mid ‘90s dance music as seen with other Brits Primal Scream. Their self-titled debut blends electropop with Chemical Brothers rocking beats resulting in catchy songs such as “Test Transmission” that has a celebratory feel, and the buoyant “L.S.F (Lost Souls Forever). Recently, several of their songs have been used in commercials and TV shows such as Alias making the band ubiquitous and well-received here in the States. kasabian.co.uk/kasabian

One Song Worthy: The Cribs, "Hey Scensters"

The Cribs are just an average Brit band, but one song in particular off their new album stands out above the rest. "Hey Scenesters!" is a charging beatbox of guitar and drums that churn and spin all the while speaking out against so-called trendy scenesters. The track’s frenzied tempos would perform well at any party. thecribs.com