A new album hailed as a masterpiece by the music media, and a subsequent performance at the V Festival hailed as great but in reality a pale shade of the band I remember… So what’s the truth? I’ve had this album for a few months and listened to it several times to give it a ‘fair go.’ In truth it’s far from being a great album.

Opening track In The Morning sounds like something straight out of a Red Hot Chillies album and is just okay. Who Needs Love has a retro rock/pop feel with a dubious set of lyrics, and is of little interest. Hold On comes with a (typically) heavy rhythm and little else. America is easily the most interesting song here; it’s original, melodically strong, beautifully performed, with a passable set of lyrics (“There’s nothing on the TV and nothing the radio that I can believe in…”). Borrell actually makes the song sound quite moving… Before I Fall To Pieces is an upbeat song that has its moments but it ends up being quite monotonous. I Can’t Stop This Feeling I’ve Got sounds like a reprise of America while Pop Song 2006 sounds aimless and confused. Kirby’s House is boredom personified while Back To The Start is totally forgettable. The album concludes on Los Angeles Waltz that manages to lift itself above many of the songs here – just.

There have been some fabulous album releases in 2006, but this is not one of them. And it’s a shame because after the band’s first album I was expecting something a bit special.

3/5