The Rosebuds

Rosebud's singer Ivan Howard has the expressive voice and keen ear to ably imitate the greatest moping '80s synth pop with co-songwriter Kelly Crisp. Here the band delivers a set of darkly sparkling tunes that evoke OMD, Joy Division and -- of course -- the Cure. The driving disco pattern of "Get Up Get Out" is surprisingly dancy among all the darker numbers, but it provides the record with a clear club hit. They save another highlight for last, with the spacey guitars and bouncing drive of the title track.