How’s this for a band who stopped before they really got started? Just as the buzz was peaking about the newest band in town to meld a good melody and a nice hook with the pure passion that comes with screamo, we come to find out that the band have broken up. So it goes without saying that this will be the last Best Music Poll Award In the Arms of Providence ever take home.

Singer Chris Moulton might be gracing the stage again, though. He’s got himself wrapped up with last year’s Best Pop Act frontman Billy Libby (Even All Out — also now-defunct) in Why Hello, the newest band everybody can’t stop talking about, even though they probably only have about seven songs written so far.

What made ITAOP such a bright-shining light? Their EP Left My Voicebox in a Seaside Town will give you plenty of indication. Though it travels in some trendy territory, the first listen introduces you to lands you haven’t seen before. There’s just enough deviation from the emo norm to get people really excited. Did they just mix that melodic verse with that piercing chorus and get away with it? Does Moulton really have that kind of range? Can Mike Caminiti lay that riff down live?

Five years down the line, no one will likely remember why this band beat out more established, more mature acts, but In the Arms of Providence’s long-separated members might just look back and wonder why they couldn’t hold things together a little bit longer.

Runners up: the Leftovers, Hi-Fivin’ White Guys