As I write England are beginning another exciting summer of cricket.......so if any metaphor's creep in you're going to have to forgive me. Tempting as the dulcet tones of Geoffrey Boycott may be, I’ve managed to force the mute button on, and instead am listening to perhaps the best debut album I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing.

On the back of their EPs and singles I did have great expectations, but this mixture of sublime instrumentation and, although less than classic, fitting vocals has exceeded them comfortably. The album opens with 'The Black Amnesias', which after a gentle start quickly sets the tone for an outstanding collection, by the time the last trumpet flourish has won you over you're in plenty of time for their first widely publicised single, "Enemies/Friends". When I first heard this song, a few months ago, it struck me as far in excess of the quality achieved by most bands debut singles for a first album. Now in it's present company, it's mediocre at best, but this is far from an insult.

For the next few songs the tempo drops a little, but there's no let up in the melodic beauty, with '66 sleepers to summer' arguably a future single candidate. In time honoured tradition, I can skim over current single, 'The Red, The White, The Black, The Blue', which by now you've all no doubt heard. Following this high point the album takes a definite turn towards depression but doesn't lose any of it's previous touch. This section, typicalised by 'Sadness on my Back', is alleviated right at the end for an extra refrain of optimism and perhaps the most downright gorgeous song on the album, 'Goodhorsehymn'. You may, by now, be a little sick of this almost sycophantic praise but I really am struggling to find fault. Coming so soon after the sad loss of lead guitarist Jimmi Lawrence, this debut is a rare treat. To qualify this, however, it is worth pointing out that the album is something of a grower, and may take a listen or two to really get inside of. Even here this can quickly become a strength, with songs you previously didn't rate quickly becoming favourites. In conclusion, please don't take this saccharine review as a given, get out and buy this album; I really can't imagine you being disappointed.

Adam Marsh