Irish-born Jack Lukeman used his evocative croon and natural sex appeal to paint himself as a more accessible, mainstream version of edgy, brooding baritones like Jim Morrison, Scott Walker, and Nick Cave. A native of Athy, County Kildare, Lukeman earned a devoted fan base in Ireland with his blend of rock & roll, ethereal balladry, and occasional post-punk flourishes. His debut album, Metropolis Blue, broke him through to a wider Irish audience over the second half of 1999, and was released in the U.S. in the summer of 2000. ~ Steve Huey