The Mr. David and Frances England albums were unlike anything else I'd heard this year, and stood out as much for their unique style (Mr. David's soundscapes and England's lo-fi rock stories) as for their enjoyment.

NPR: Zooglobble Favorite Kids' Albums of 2006

Interstellar sci-fi rock band Muse have become known for their ambitious stage shows - lead singer Matt Bellamy has a long-gestating plan to land a UFO during one of their stadium gigs - but they insist they try to keep ticket prices down.

BBC: Rolling Stones: What is a fair price for a concert ticket?

Another low-fi blues rock band with a singer who sounded a bit like Janis Joplin and a rhythm section inspired by the White Stripes.

NPR: 'Heartless Bastards' Defy Indie Rock Rules

Filtering classic rock and pop hooks through a willfully lo-fi aesthetic a la Pavement or Guided by Voices, Philadelphia's Dr. Dog sounds both timeless and immediate.

NPR: Dr. Dog: Classic Rock and Pop Made Simple

Filtering classic rock and pop hooks through a willfully lo-fi aesthetic a la Pavement or Guided by Voices, Philadelphia's Dr. Dog sounds both timeless and immediate, as only the best music can.

NPR: Dr. Dog: Timeless and Immediate

In his DNA you'll find Japanese Kabuki theatre, British rock and roll, and late 1960s dystopian sci-fi.

BBC: The business of David Bowie

Riseborough, 31, who has had roles in Shadow Dancer, Never Let Me Go, Brighton Rock and Happy Go Lucky, recently finished filming with Tom Cruise in sci-fi thriller Oblivion, set for release in April.

BBC: Actresses lead Bafta rising star nominees