The stage appeared set for US five piece The Bravery to shine in 2005. London based, and with the support of Radio 1 and XFM behind them, the band hit number 5 in the UK charts with their self-titled debut album. The New Yorkers then went from strength to strength, following up major festival appearances with stadium tours in support of giants U2 and Depeche Mode. However, the band's second album The Sun and the Moon failed to achieve the same interest on this side of the world, despite single Believe faring well in the US indie charts. Their most recent album, Stir The Blood failed to chart in the UK.
The second spot on the 2005 list went to Bloc Party, seen by many at the time as natural successors to Radiohead. Their debut release Silent Alarm garnered widespread critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Favourable reviews have continued, as the quartet have evolved their sound with the release of subsequent albums A Weekend In The City and Intimacy in addition to recent solo effort The Boxer from vocalist Kele.
Other prominent members of the 2005 list included Leeds band Kaiser Chiefs, who made a brisk ascent to fame fuelled by a celebrated live show and a slew of upbeat hit singles from album Employment, and the Edinburgh singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, who found success with multi-platinum selling debut Eye To The Telescope following a last minute guest spot on Later... with Jools Holland.
