The fewer rules applied to the Austin Chronicle Music Poll the easier it is for your PAL to give the benefit of the doubt. One rule that always stands in the Best New Band category is this:
IF A BAND PLACED IN THE TOP 10 THE YEAR BEFORE,
IT IS NO LONGER CONSIDERED A NEW BAND.
This sounds incredibly simple on the surface but let me reiterate it another way: If you were noted in last year's Top 10 Best New Bands, you are not a new band any longer.