Prefab Sprout

English pop band Prefab Sprout was formed in 1978 by brothers Paddy and Martin McAloon, and four years later, they were joined by co-vocalist, guitarist, and keyboard player Wendy Smith. That core made up the band's heart during its heyday, starting with 1984's breakthrough debut Swoon, an eclectic indie-pop album incorporating funk and bossa nova. The band developed a rabid following by 1985’s Steve McQueen, which found the group creating an innovative blend of New Wave and pop ballads. However, this style was often subverted by Paddy’s cutting songwriting on singles like “When Love Breaks Down,” “Bonny,” and “Faron Young.” Though Paddy McAloon remains the only active member of the group, the sound he forged with his brother and Wendy Smith is apparent on Prefab Sprout’s critically acclaimed 21st-century albums, like 2009’s Let's Change the World with Music and 2013’s Crimson/Red.