Along the same lines of the frivolous inspirations that formed bands like Franz Ferdinand and The Boy Least Likely To comes yet another group of Brits eager to meet women and boost their own confidence. Art Brut, the band that gets tossed from art galleries and shunned by high society, is simply about - well, Art Brut. Singer Eddie Argos doesn't really sing per say, instead he talks in the style of Johnny Rotten over Chris Chinchilla's garage rock chords and Mikey B's arena-style drums. Their first single, "Formed a Band", is quite literally about just that. At one point Argos proclaims, "We're going to be the band that writes the song that makes Israel and Palestine get along." The rest of the tracks on their first record, Bang Bang Rock and Roll, are painfully obvious and blunt. Yet it achieves what Art Brut have set out to do - to make tunes to romp to. (Appearing with Hot Machines at Schubas Nov. 15) --text: Gina Pantone

Like many of his fellow labelmates on the indie hip-hop mainstay Definitive Jux, RJD2 probably can't spell conventionality. But he is more than likely able to spell dope. Thus defines his production because nothing else will. RJD2 has earned production credits for emcees like Diverse, Mos Def and Blueprint among a plethora of others. His music is an amalgamation of sounds that if one were to analyze individually, would probably seem discordant. Yet when he blends everything together, it all begins to make sense. Whether it is combining heavy drum lines with synthesized chords and blips and bleeps - while layering an occasional soft vocal melody on top of it all for good measure - his ensembles somehow harmonize extremely well. In print it reads like a convoluted and seemingly senseless exercise. But with an ear for conjuring hard, funky hip-hop-electronic beats, RJD2 pieces each layer together with care while creating a world class stew. (Appearing at Abbey Pub on Nov. 12) --text: Nicholas Clar--photo: Maya Hayuk

Is it possible to be too effusive about an album? If The Magic Numbers' self-titled debut is any indication, the collective answer is no. From throngs of folks attending Glastonbury to Oasis' Noel Gallagher and music journos everywhere, the quartet's name is on the tips of many of tongues. The British group, comprised of two sets of siblings, combines the saccharine pop and honeydew vocal harmonies of the Mamas and Papas with lyrics rife with disillusion and lovelorn weariness. Think the Polyphonic Spree minus about 80 people. Lead singer and primary songwriter Romeo Stodart lives up to his name - it's not hard to imagine the rustically bearded 27-year-old making eyes at the moon to gather inspiration. With sister Michele on bass, Sean Gannon on drums and Angela Gannon providing those intoxicating backing vocals, the group has conquered England and is moving in on the States. Songs like "Mornings Eleven" and "Forever Lost" will lodge themselves into your brain. And that's a good thing. (Appearing at Schubas for the early show on Nov. 12) --text: Janine Schaults

Camel-smoking 24-year-old Londoner Tom Vek has recorded one of the more intriguing albums of the year with We Have Sound, to be released Oct. 25 on Brooklyn's StarTime International (The Futureheads, French Kicks, The Walkmen). Vek is being labeled the "British Beck" by some dutiful cogs in the hype machine, and his standout "I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes" appears set to follow Bloc Party's "Banquet" into dance rock preeminence. But the experimentation behind this release may be its strongest suit. The lo-fi album, recorded entirely in Vek's dad's garage, mixes the snarl and melody of '90s alt-rock influences with the stellar electronica of labels like Warp, while adding eclectic dashes of punk and more spirited signer/songwriter vibes. While not mind-blowing, it is an unpredictable, unpretentious and charming release from a young man in search of himself. We just hope he doesn't settle down too quickly, as the journey could prove the most interesting part. (Appearing with The Mobius Band and Life During Wartime DJs at Schubas on Nov. 13) --text: Jay Gentile--photo: Phil Alexander

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