Aterciopelados

Colombia's Aterciopelados have a sound that borrows heavily from British bands of the 1980s and '90s. Huge, anthemic choruses and ringing acoustic guitars recall Simple Minds or the Alarm, while liberal use of wah-wah brings to mind the post-baggy sound of bands like Flowered Up or even the poppier side of the Stone Roses. Cleverly constructed songs, clear vocals and the undeniable hooks in those rousing choruses add up to a sound that will immediately have you singing along -- if you know Spanish.