THEY ARE
"New wave of britpop" trio who probably don't need much warming to idea of being the biggest Manchester band with a mouthy frontman called Liam.
SOUNDS LIKE
The Rolling Stones' Miss You made listenable by replacing the godawful falsetto squeals and the impotent funk with a chuggy disco stomp reminiscent of Blur's Girls & Boys or the chorus of Franz Ferdinand's Take Me Out.
RELEASE
You Overdid it Doll (single) Feb 15
Falcon Feb 22

THEY ARE
Northern Irish pop trio (yet again) with a penchant for astronomy and handclaps.
SOUNDS LIKE
a trendy tongue-in-cheek new-wave act from New York.
RELEASE
Space Shot (single) Jan 18
TRIVIA
This is number H (sic) in their series of 26 singles released every other week until September (with this player being updated accordingly (and alphabetically!)).

THEY ARE
(Another) Manchester outfit fusing melodic indie rock with electronics.
SOUNDS LIKE
a lost track from Cut Copy's terrific In Ghost Colours.
RELEASE
Acolyte Dec 11
CLEVER MOMENT
At 3:04 when the guitar burst into a simplistic Bernard Sumner-esque guitar solo, reminding you where these guys are from.

THEY ARE
Five guys, including three brothers, from London.
SOUNDS LIKE
a more serious Hockey, who in turn of course is trying to relive the dandy eighties.
RELEASE
Widows EP Nov 23

HE IS
The fourth member of The Strokes to go solo during the last two years.
SOUNDS LIKE
Phoenix teaming up with Brendan Benson.
RELEASE
Phrazes for the Young Nov 2  
CLEVER MOMENT
at 4:50, when Julian makes sure you wake up.

THEY ARE
Much-hyped quartet from Portland with one of the the ugliest homepages on the web.
SOUNDS LIKE
Bob Dylan fronting The Cars.
RELEASE
Mind Chaos Sep 28