With February seeing the release of "Government Commissions BBC Sessions 1996 - 2003", it's the perfect time to indulge. With Mogwai being a favourite of the late Sir John Peel, session invites for the BBC were frequent, and Mogwai rarely refused. This compilation features the pick of their many sessions.

Although essentially a compilation, the set works really well as an actual album in it's own right - and it does everything one wants and expects from a Mogwai album. The frenetic fury of the epic near-twenty minute rendition of 'Like Herod' shows the band's more brutal and aggressive facets, with the crushing crescendo likely to alarm you. As it ought to. In saying that, however, Mogwai's delicate and sensitive sonic take on melancholy and sorrow is evident in the wispy 'R U Still In 2 It' and 'Cody'.

The album reaches its peak in the final two tracks, with Mogwai really stating their intentions. 'New Paths To Helicon Part One' is the perfect introduction to the final track, 'Stop Coming To My House', showing devastatingly haunting beauty and heart-wrenching sonic bliss. 'Stop Coming To My House' is the perfect composition: the elegiac, ethereal keyboard sound, over the delayed, introspective guitar sound is enticing and affecting, whilst the frequent militaristic drum beat demands that you stand to attention.

At times vicious; at times vivacious; but most of all: vibrant, vivid, enchanting and eloquent, despite the lack of vocals. This is one album the Government really should commission you to own.

Philip Quirie