Civil Twilight

There is no doubt U2’s climactic rock has influenced an entire generation of musicians, but South Africa’s Civil Twilight sounds like an inner struggle for U2-ness: Vocalist Steven McKellar is a virtual carbon copy of Bono, while brother Andrew McKellar’s guitar repetition is strikingly similar to The Edge’s signature noodling. Comparisons aside, Civil Twilight’s 2009 self-titled debut is heavy on the piano and plight, as lyrics focus on the band’s home country struggles. The band’s second studio album, Holy Weather, dropped March 26.

Updated 03/27/2012