Devastations

Devastations deliver a sound as ominous as Nick Cave's while proving just as emotionally wrenching as Tindersticks. Conrad Standish supplies vocals and bass, Tom Carlyon handles guitar and vocals, and Hugo Cran plays drums in the stylish alternative rock trio. The group formed in Melbourne, Australia, toward the end of 2002. Relocating to Berlin the following year opened doors to European listeners. Appearances in Alexander Hacke's Bada Bing concert series, tied to his work with Einsturzende Neubauten, preceded the 2004 release of their self-titled debut. Both critics and fellow artists responded strongly: Yeah Yeah Yeah's Karen O singled the album out in Mojo as "the best thing I've heard all year," and Rolling Stone Germany declared it the strongest debut of 2004. Australian shows supporting the Dirty Three, Cat Power, Tindersticks, and the Black Heart Procession tracked the band's rising profile, which also earned a nomination for the Australian Music Prize before the year closed. Coal, the second album, reached the United States via Brassland in fall 2006. Yes, U followed in 2007.