Last week, British boy band One Direction debuted at the top of the U.S. album chart with their album “Up All Night” – a one-two punch for teen idols and British artists alike. Today, we’re joined by Village Voice music editor Maura Johnston and Slate and Rolling Stone music critic Jody Rosen to discuss the cyclical nature of boy bands… and to take an international look at the young heartthrobs singing and dancing their way into tween hearts worldwide.

Plus, we open the phones – what is (or was) your favorite boy band? What does that band mean to you?