A long-lasting and consistently eclectic U.K. rock group, James first emerged from their native Manchester in the mid-'80s playing a brand of urgent, ringing pop. With their textured guitar parts and distinguished vocals courtesy of frontman Tim Booth, they earned early comparisons to the Smiths, who responded by endorsing the younger band. By the dawn of the '90s, James shook off these comparisons by embracing acid house, the first of many adventurous left turns the band took over the decades. The baggy pop single "Sit Down" proved to be their breakthrough, reaching number tw...