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Friday, October 12, 2007 - 4:00 am ET
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The Top 10 British Music Artists You Need To Discover Before You Die... Or They Do!

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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…

free music

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

________________________________________________________________

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.

Friday, October 12, 2007 - 4:00 am ET
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21 Comments

  1. Matt

    two words dude … james blunt

    Reply