THEY ARE
likely lads from Liverpool with one single under their belt, on which it's the B-side that steals the show - a gloomy rocker that builds and builds until it reach epic heights.
SOUNDS LIKE
the hate child of Editors and Doves.
RELEASE
Stop to Start (single) 23 Nov
TRIVIA
The band has presumably taken their name from a song by eighties cult band (and fellow Scousers) The Pale Fountains.

THEY ARE
Dubliners emigrated to London.
SOUNDS LIKE
a somewhat soberly produced (and less neurotic) Placebo. Indie also-rans Lukas Kasha may also pop into mind for Norwegian radio listeners with good memory.
RELEASE
Lies (single) Nov 30
Animate TBC

THEY ARE
NYC post-punk quintet three albums into their career.
SOUNDS LIKE
David Bowie's "Heroes" cross-bred with their own 2004 breakthrough Unconditional (which arguably is still their best song to date).
RELEASE
Stir the Blood Dec 1
TRIVIA
Indie rock fans would probably be surprised to learn that the band's frontman Sam Endicott has co-writing credits on the recent albums by Christina Aguilera and Shakira, including the latter's single She Wolf.

THEY ARE
Trio from from Northern Ireland that list their drum machine as their fourth member. Echo, is that you?
SOUNDS LIKE
geeks on the dancefloor, see The Young Knives, The Futureheads or even early Bloc Party.
RELEASE
I Can Talk (single) Nov 23
TBA (album) Feb 2010
CLEVER MOMENT
Two tunes in two days that kicks off with a human synth riff (see also Kent). What are the odds?

THEY ARE
British lads who has released three singles this year, each one a bit better than the last.
SOUNDS LIKE
Think Doves getting ready for a space trip.
RELEASE
Remains (single) Nov 2
TRIVIA
"White Belt Yellow Tag" is the second lowest grade in Taekwon-Do.

THEY ARE
Birmingham quartet forever imprisoned by Joy Division and/or Interpol comparisons.
SOUNDS LIKE
They're trying to escape by replacing guitars with Soft Cell/Eurythmics synths.
RELEASE
In This Light and on This Evening Oct 10
TRIVIA
The song takes its name from Henri Charrière's memoirs from doing time (and finally escaping) for a murder he didn't commit.