Formed in the mid-'90s in the Tuscan town of Montepulciano, Italy, Baustelle (a German word that means something like "work in progress") didn't receive much mainstream attention for their first two albums, 2000's Sussidiario Illustrato della Giovinezza and 2003's La Moda del Lento. It was their third one, however, that finally brought them acclaim. Comprised of leader Francesco Bianconi on vocals, guitar, and synths, Rachele Bastreghi on vocals and keys, Claudio Brasini on guitar, and Claudio Chiari on drums, the band released La Malavita on Warner Italy in 2005. Mixing the romantic sounds of British artists like the Smiths and Depeche Mode with Italian composers like Ennio Morricone and Angelo Badalamenti and American acts like Television and Scott Walker, as well as with modern sounds of electronica and indie rock, the record gained immediate attention in the group's home country, resulting in an extensive nationwide tour. ~ Marisa Brown