Coolest Band You've Never Heard Of: Noisettes

Who are the Noisettes? The coolest band you've never heard of, that's who! The British power-trio are fronted by immensely talented bassist/vocalist Shingai Shoniwa. Her smoky vocals are a retro soul throwback, but the group has created a sound all their own. 2007's What Time Is It Mr. Wolf? showcases the group's sui generis mixture of raw punk and intricate indie-rock. Shoniwa's tuneful shrieks pack enough vicious attitude to send Karen O running for shelter (check out "Scratch Your Name"), yet their drum-bass-guitar arrangements are sparse in an awesome bluesy way, reminiscent of the early Stones. New album Wild Young Hearts finds the band expanding their musical influences yet maintaining their wicked original vibe. The rhythm guitar and unmistakeable groove on "Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go)" presents a funk-rock edge, while the crazy-catchy "Never Forget You" sounds like it could have been recorded by a sixties girl-group. Brilliant, passionate and loads of fun: if you love music, you'll adore the Noisettes.

Emo? More like SHEmo!

I hate the phrase "emo". It's so fucking vague. What is emo? Well, if I had to create an in-depth definition, I would describe emo as whiny-voiced young dudes bemoaning lost love over a series of diatonic power chords. So what is shemo? It's a phrase I made up to categorize the growing trend of female-fronted pop-rock outfits. Power chords? Check. Super-catchy hooks? Check. Lovelorn lyrics? Check. Whiny dudes in tight pants? Nah, bro. Shemo takes all the awesome elements of emo (admit it, you've enjoyed a Fall Out Boy song before) and filters out the crap. Even shitty shemo bands are better than your standard emo fare. Hey Monday write the kind of uninspired radio-ready tunes one would expect from Boys Like Girls, or the dozens of other similar-sounding bands, but fierce frontwoman Cassadee Pope instantly makes them more likeable. Hell, if Paramore were fronted by a man I probably wouldn't be as big of a fan. Aside from Paramore, fans of shemo should make sure to give Meg & Dia (pictured above) and Automatic Loveletter a listen. Sorry guys, formulaic pop-punk is so much sweeter in the hands of a spunky rocker chick.