Del Amitri - the whole world is quiet, 1992

"Singing this Scottish quintet's praises is easy, but explaining why they sound so appealing isn't. No one would have raised an eyebrow if Change Everything, their third album, had slid out of Britain during the mid-'70s prepunk days. Lead singer Justin Currie sounds like the Guess Who's terminal shlub, Burton Cummings. Still, something at the core of Del Amitri -- intelligent songs, lyrical depth, nifty musical hooks -- sets the band apart."