A brand spanking new year has begun which means another chance to start over and to possibly get it right, especially in entertainment. 2005 saw an amalgam of Brit bands filtering the airwaves with respectable debuts (see Bloc Party and Maximo Park) and the British Invasion will continue early on in the year. A few female artists are looking to breakout this year with respectable debuts and New York will once again rule the music scene. The beginning of the year can be a sluggish time, so the following is a list of artists and bands to look forward to along with some long-awaited albums from a plethora of our favorite artists.
10 Bands/Artist to Watch in 2006
1. Arctic Monkeys – Primate quartet Arctic Monkeys is the biggest band you have yet to hear, but with the release of their debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, they won’t be obscure in America anymore. Comprised of youngsters Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Andy Nicholson and Matt Helders, the group already has had a #1 single in the UK with the propulsive/dance/Brit pop song “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.” If this infectious track is any indication, there will be more hits to follow. The band begin their U.S imperialism with a full-fledged tour and a coveted spot at SXSW in March where they will blow up the scene.
2. Lady Sovereign – This 19 year-old Londoner grime rapper has something to prove this year: that white, female rappers can be taken seriously and in an Eminem way. With two EPs already released, Bitchin and Vertically Challenged, her major label full-length Public Warning will hit the streets in the spring. The hype machine has been revved up since last year when her bouncy single “Random” clicked with fans and critics alike. Barely five feet tall, this hoodie wearing chick packs a powerful punch ready to spread her tempestuous songs to the world who will be listening with abated breath.
3. We Are Scientists – New York has always been the epicenter for overhyped bands (see the Strokes), but Brooklynites We Are Scientists live up to the brouhaha. After a couple of EPs, the trio make their major label debut with With Love and Squalor, a rowdy rock n
