James

While uber-pop Manchester band James released albums in the 1980s (and existed as early as 1981), it was in the following decade that the band truly hit its stride. Led by the dramatic high register of Tim Booth and an arsenal of reflective, intellectual lyrics, the five-member group scored a string of hits on both sides of the Atlantic in the early-1990s, reaching an apex with the impish, yodel-happy "Laid," an MTV staple and huge modern rock hit. Booth also stepped outside James for a series of majestic compositions with Angelo Badalamenti. James proved durable, surviving a rumoured split in the 00s to return with admirable pop vigour on 2008's HEY MA.

• rock
• hip hop/rap