Soft Cell

With their minimalist electronic approach and lyrics preoccupied with the seedier side of sensuality, the British duo Soft Cell were unlikely pop stars. Nevertheless, that's what they became in the early '80s, boosted by their massive hit "Tainted Love", an electro-pop version of a classic Northern Soul tune. Singer Marc Almond and keyboardist Dave Ball split in the mid-'80s, each moving on to other projects, but never equalled their Soft Cell success. Years later, the band reunited, emerging as godfathers of the early-2000s Electroclash scene.

• pop
• electronic
• synthpop
• 1980s
• 2000s