Busted [2002]

Personnel: Charlie Simpson (guitar, piano, drums); James Bourne (guitar, piano); Syze Up, Sidh Solanki (programming).
Audio Mixers: Tom Elmhirst; Jeremy Wheatley; Steve Robson.
Photographer: Ellis Parrinder.
Busted's eponymous debut made a pretty big splash in the trio's native UK, where its next-generation boy band sound found immediate favor with kids stuck in a growth spurt between Boyzone and Blink-182 allegiances. Principals Mattie Jay, James Bourne, and Charlie Simpson slide smoothly between teen pop balladry of "Psycho Girl" and "Losing You", and the more creative popternative of hit singles like "What I Go to School For" and "Year 3000". Both songs are typified by a cheeky sense of humor, processed guitar riffs, and irrepressible singalong choruses. ~ Johnny Loftus