1990s: Cookies

1990s come from Glasgow, but they're more in the recent sleaze-rock tradition of Louis XIV and Morningwood than the neo-post-punk of their fellow countrymen in Franz Ferdinand. The band favors sparkly riffs and chant-y vocals, chockfull of strut and coo, and at times, bandleader John McKeown seems to be parodying power-pop cockiness—especially in "Cult Status," where he sings "my cult status keeps me alive" in a bratty voice, taking the piss out of every drunken rock-god who every ripped off The Stooges and the Stones. A little of 1990s' debut album Cookies goes a long way, but bouncy, witty anthems like "You Made Me Like It" kick hard, whether they're meant to be ironic or not.