Vicar-ious pleasures

Good to see Chvrches (I'm finally spelling it correctly) in amongst the BBC's picks for Sound Of 2013, off the back of last year's two offerings, the quite superb 'Lies' and the inevitably-not-quite-so-good-but-still-very-good-indeed 'The Mother We Share'. Still hard to believe that former members of Aereogramme and The Twilight Sad are responsible for such sleek, sinister synth-pop perfection. Here's their cover of Prince's 'I Would Die For U' for good measure.

Looking back at previous years' Sound Of lists, they're generally quite accurate - though of course arguably more a reflection of marketing budgets and record label darlings than of genuine quality. 2003's list is interesting, topped by 50 Cent and also featuring two bands that are probably now worthy of being considered indie stalwarts, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Interpol. But less long-term success was forthcoming for either The Datsuns (who I was surprised to discover are still going strong - their debut was a decent record) or Audio Bullys, who are now just a one-man band (the brother of a former colleague of mine) reduced to peddling old material around the globe to anyone who'll listen.

Indeed, while most listed acts have gone on to considerable fame and fortune, others have suffered the embarrassment and indignity of sinking without trace (and rightly so): The Bravery, The Twang, Kubb. And then there's Black Kids, who featured in 2008's list and briefly won hearts with charmingly chirpy Cure-meets-Los-Campesinos ditty 'I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You' but haven't been heard from since disappearing to work on their second album back in 2009. The previous May the Guardian's Rosie Swash asked if the band were in danger of falling victim to their own hype. The answer was clearly yes.