A kind of charming darkness oozes between Morrissey and Johnny Marr of the Smiths. The combination of Morrissey's syrupy, melancholy voice and Marr's jangling, meticulously layered guitar breeds an infectious moodiness. Breaking away from the bawdy new-wave synth pop that characterized the early 1980

Brit-pop, Dark, Ethereal, Melancholy, Post-punk, Quirky, Sincere

While no doubt enjoying a certain Japanese sensibility -- after all, that accent broadcasts their linguistic and cultural heritage -- Cibo Matto fancy themselves downtown New Yorkers. And it's true that the duo, composed of Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda, employ a minimum of the usual Japanese pop tropes

Bubblicious, Eclectic, Playful, Pop, Quirky, Smart, Smarty arty pop