Combining the grungy noise sounds similar to what the Breeders do with a pop sensibility, Elastica are one of the few Brit-pop bands to make it really big in this country in recent times. Comparisons to Wire and the Stranglers aside, they belong up there in my books along with the likes of Portishead. I'm sure it doesn't hurt their popularity to have pretty girls in the group, even though bassist Annie Holland has recently decided to leave them in the middle of their Lollapalooza tour. Rumours are it that she has been replaced and fifth member who plays keyboards has been added. The CD itself is quite decent: A couple of tracks (especially 2:1) are ABBA-esque with harsh guitars thrown in. Most of them are tight and have an experimental in sound, which is why I checked them out after hearing Connection on the radio.