1990s

1990s first gained notice due to their ties to Franz Ferdinand (Alex Kapranos and Paul Thomson did time in Yummy Fur with 1990s mastermind John McKeown) but quickly established themselves as a separate entity with tunes like "Arcade Precinct." Kicks is less immediate than the band's debut but offers more with repeated listens. Again produced by Bernard Butler, it's a more careful record, ditching breakneck guitar lines and snappy rhythms for nuance and melody. But that's not to suggest that the album lacks hooks. "Balthazar" and "59" are early contenders for hazy summer anthem of the year and there's not a dud on the album's dozen tracks. If there's one thing the Glaswegian three-piece know how to do it's write catchy tunes.