by Steve Huey
Alternative rockers A mix punk attitude, spacey Moog synth, and Britpop-influenced guitar rock with bratty, juvenile humor. The group debuted in 1997 with How Ace Are Buildings but achieved their first widespread release in the U.S. with 2000's A vs. Monkey Kong. Although they toured behind it, they didn't make too big of a splash and decided to re-enter the studio soon after promoting the release. The resulting album, Hi-Fi Serious, was more poppy and powerful, and was released in the summer of 2002.