BELL X1, THE SUBMARINES (Dante’s, 1 SW 3rd) In their native Ireland, Bell X1 are pretty much the biggest rock band since U2. Coincidentally, both bands are named after US military jets—Bell X1 was an experimental supersonic jet; U2, a spy plane. Like modern-era U2, Bell X1 aim squarely for prime-time television placement with their brand of gently soaring soft-rock mope, landing songs on popular programs such as The O.C. and Grey’s Anatomy. Of course, dubious licensing isn’t really the kiss of death for a band these days—quite the opposite—and Bell X1’s songs are fine as far as unsubtle emotionalism and budget-rate Radiohead are concerned, but they’re unlikely to achieve anything like the ubiquity of their similarly aeronautical countrymen. ERIC GRANDY

MP3:
Bell X1 - My First Born For A Song