Scissor Sisters

A throwback to a time when popular music had an intentionally kitschy side, Scissor Sisters runs its fingers through the dirty hair of New York Dolls while maintaining a musical intelligence even Elton John has come to admire. The quintet’s lyrics are threaded with smart, sexually aware social commentary that barrels light-years ahead of the Britneys and Katys of the pop world — and explains why the group tops the charts in Britain while skimming the surface of bland U.S. radio rotation. Scissor Sisters released its third full-length album, Night Work, this past summer, with lead vocalists Ana Matronic and Jake Shears leading the cabaret show into the new decade with plenty of glitter, love and sleeveless-shirt action.