The Rakes

Appearing in the wake of the British post-punk-influenced acts such as Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, and the Futureheads, the Rakes joined other "Class of 2005" bands such as Art Brut and Maximo Park in the immediate second wave of angular, guitar-driven ensembles. A little less bookish and more pub-friendly than their peers, the London-based band won attention of the fickle U.K. press with their debut, CAPTURE/RELEASE, an album that revealed a strong affinity for Buzzcocks-like spiky melodies.

• rock