The Top 10 British Music Artists You Need To Discover Before You Die… Or They Do!
October 12, 2007 by Dave Parrack
I’ve been writing this blog for over 3 months now, and hopefully some of you are reading and enjoying Brit Music Scene. I’ve strived to bring you all the latest news, reviews, gossip and low-down on everything to do with the British Music Scene, and I think I’ve done a good job.
So in a further effort to educate my readers and bring some good music to your ears, here are 10 British music artists you should discover.
Now some of you will know all of the groups I talk about, especially if you happen to be in the UK, but some of you may not have heard of any of them.
Seeing as most of my readers are from the USA, I’d say that’s a pretty safe bet. So in my opinion here are 10 bands or singers who you should discover, listen to for a bit and maybe even grow to love as much as I do.
For your pleasure, I’ve made a play list with my favourite tune from each artist, and you can listen to it while the read the rest of the post below, you lucky so and so’s.
They are all British, they are all absolutely brilliant, and you need to hear about them right now. Enjoy…
10. The Go! Team
The Go! Team are a six piece Indie Dance band from Brighton, England, with a wide range of influences. First album ‘Thunder, Lightning, Strike’ was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005. Have just released their second album called ‘Proof Of Youth’. Their songs are widely used for adverts and Television audio beds.
Genre: Indie Dance
Similar: Basement Jaxx
Top Track: ‘Ladyflash’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thegoteam
9. The Enemy
The Enemy are a three piece from Coventry, England, who blew the UK apart with their debut album ‘We’ll Live And Die In These Towns’ which went straight in at number 1 in the UK album charts. They sing about working life, and the reality of living in some British cities.
Genre: Indie
Similar: Oasis
Top Track: ‘Away From Here’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theenemycoventry
8. The Editors
The Editors are a four piece hard Indie Rock band from Birmingham, and another band to be nominated for the Mercury music prize, for ‘The Back Room’. They sound very similar to Interpol, with lead singer Tom Smith’s voice very distinctive. Second album ‘An End Has A Start’ is heavily influenced by death, but is still ultimately uplifting.
Genre: Indie Rock
Similar: Interpol
Top Track: ‘Bullets’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/editorsmusic
7. The Klaxons
Part of the new New Rave movement taking hold in the UK, The Klaxons are a four piece who won the Mercury Music Prize in September 2007 for debut album ‘Myths Of The Near Future’. Their songs are heavily influenced by magical and supernatural writers such as Aleister Crowley and Thoman Pynchon.
Genre: New Rave
Similar: New Young Pony Club
Top Track: ‘It’s Not Over Yet’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/klaxons
6. Art Brut
Art Brut are a five piece band who have started a phenomenon of creating bands on the fly. They have inspired numerous other bands to start writing and playing music. Second album ‘It’s A Bit Complicated’ was released in June of this year.
Genre: Post Punk Alternative
Similar: The Rakes
Top Track: ‘My Little Brother’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/artbrut
5. The Cribs
The Cribs are a three piece band consisting of twins Gary and Ryan Jarman, along with younger brother Ross on drums. They’ve had three studio albums so far and their talent and notoriety have increased with each release. Forever on the verge of super stardom, they never quite make it.
Genre: Lo-Fi Indie
Similar: The Strokes
Top Track: ‘Men’s Needs’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thecribs
4. Kate Nash
This singer songwriter exploded on the scene earlier this year, befriending Lily Allen on MySpace before writing enough material to release her first album ‘Made Of Bricks’. Kate Nash’ single ‘Foundations’ was kept at number 2 for weeks on end by Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’, an injustice I’ll never forget.
Genre: Indie Pop
Similar: Lily Allen
Top Track: ‘Mouthwash’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/katenashmusic
3. Maximo Park
Maximo Park are one of my favourite bands ever, their second album ‘Our Earthly Pleasures’ is genius, and just confirms their brilliance. They are spectacular to see live with lead singer Paul Smith’s acrobats on stage a joy to behold.
Genre: Alternative Indie
Similar: We Are Scientists
Top Track: ‘Graffiti’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/maximopark
2. Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a London band who released ‘Silent Alarm’ in 2005 after 3 years of playing live and writing songs. Second album ‘A Weekend In The City’ is just as brilliant but is also more politically charged with songs such as ‘Hunting For Witches’ which references xenophobia.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Similar: Franz Ferdinand
Top Track: ‘Banquet’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/blocparty
1. Muse
Muse are possibly the greatest band around today, although very little known outside of the UK. Their sound has evolved over the years to the joyous alternative rock that exudes from latest album ‘Black Holes And Revelations’. A three piece band who create so much sound, you emerge almost deaf from their live shows.
The USA may actually be starting to take notice with ‘Starlight’ getting massive radio play. Each album is a virtual rock opera, with classical influences thrown in to a heavy rock sound that will leave you breathless.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Similar: Foo Fighters
Top Track: ‘Plug In Baby’
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/muse
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So there you have it, a short insight in to each artist and my pick of what they’ve produced so far. If you love or hate any of them, let me know in ye olde comment box down there. I don’t mind if you don’t share my love for these people… but hopefully a few of you will and that’s job done for me.
Well, there all new to me although the name Kate Nash sound slightly familiar. I like The Strokes so I guess I’d have to start with The Cribs.
PS I like how you did a “similar to” section. Good idea.
No props to M.I.A. ?!
Muse rules though, and they have forever it seems, more Americans do need to open their ears to them, glad to hear they have a track getting played on the radio, didn’t even know (radio blows! .. at least in the states)
Thanks for reading Jennifer. You’ve probably heard about Kate Nash from my blog… I’m in love with her lol.
I’ve now added links to each band’s MySpace page so you can listen to some Cribs songs
Good piece. Would have liked to have seen Razorlight in there, and somehow Muse just seem over-hyped to me; just a couple of great tracks. Maximo Park are great live as you say, and I’m looking forward to seeing the Klaxons next month. In fact Switzerland is a great place to see UK bands; have tickets for the Rakes and Kill the Young too!
It’s all about 4, 3, and 1.
Thanks for the music. I’ll have to listen to the whole thing later.
its not “the” editors :P… kate nash to me is the over hyped one, her best song is carloines a victim and noone seems to know it at all even though it was her first single! i thought art brut where bigger in america than england? iwidjdwio i love how 3 of these bands are from the midlands WOOOODANCEYEAH (bit of hometown pride going on hahah)
..nothing good about “similar to” section at all!
Bloc Party has nothing to do with them Ferdinands.
The Enemy and Oasis? What kind of joke is that?
And finaly,British music without Radiohead!?
or,I hope, you mean that they don’t have to be discovered..they ARE
JurijG I agree with you regarding the “similar to” and The Enemy. I absolutely love their album and have it on constantly in my car. However I think Your’e Not Alone is probably a better song that Away From Here even though I love them both. To compare them to Oasis is a bit well… just not right I can’t think who they are like really.
Also think The Pigeon Detectives could have done with a mention too. They have a great album with non-stop indie pop hits.
All pretty standard indie fare, but Bloc Party are the best guitar brand in England currently!!
They need the exposure they deserve.
Dave - just found your site…. excellent stuff! You love the Brit music - me too. I have a little show on US radio (Vermont) I call The Brits every Wednesday morning - I’m on it now, playing the Manics. I going to play your list of 10 to listen to before you die. I’ll let you know how it goes! Cheers.
Cheers Dave - thanks for sharing some excellent music choices. But to say Muse is similar to Foo Fighters gives Foo way too much credit. Muse kicks ass hands down!
I haven’t heard some of them . . .but I’m downloading music right now on my ipod, I’ll let you know how I like them, thanks!
The British music scene is top!
But you forgot Arctic Monkeys, they are amazing, and everyone should listen to them. And some other good bands. Kate Nash isn’t that great too, or at least, if you like her, listen to Lily Allen too.
Cheers for the awesome list Dave….there are a few bands I hadn’t heard of and am loving them! Just maybe not Kate Nash, not a fan of that woman….but to each their own! and by the way, us Aussies have a damn good appreciation of Muse