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.
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.