In 1998, an Irish-rock nucleus split: when Damien Rice left the County Kildare band Juniper, he went on to staggering solo success, while the remaining members regrouped as Bell X1. After a shaky start, their 2005 album Flock went five times Platinum in Ireland, and brought their Talking Heads-influenced rock and gorgeous ballads to arenas and festival headline slots. Now a three-piece since the departure of guitarist Brian Crosby in 2008, Bell X1 have smoothed out the quirks of their earlier material and occupy a stately, innovative spot in the modern Irish-rock firmament.