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Having been one of the few dissapionted listeners of Baby 81, I approached this cd with apprehension. I was pleasently surprised this to me felt like a blast from the past, for me this would be the sound of BRMC if Jargo had never left after "Take Them On, On Your Own". This celebrates the definitive sound of thier eponymous debut, the sweet blending of the early shoegaze and more solid melodic beauty. The listener hears a welcome return to older tones, resultiong in a layed back snarl that never says anything overtly moreover has attitude layed into every beat, It is completely effortless and utterly enticing.

To say these were the results from sessions that gave birth to "Baby 81" seems a vary odd statement. These songs lack any of the commericialism of the new record, instead of relying on deadset standard songwriting each instrument is relyed upon to create it's own dependencies. For example, in the opener "The Likes of You", Jargo's solid drums ties the entire song together thus leaving Been and Hayes to improvise washes over the top, much like a good watercolour artist wash and wash is layered on top of each other creating a delicate and intricate maze of sound. Absolutely stunning. "I Aint ever seen the likes of you before" Echoes Been with various effects, truly stunning.

This is music, this BRMC at their best, although this will not be to everyone's taste I would not suggest buying this is you feel the greatest draw to thier latest release. Here they combine the sensitivity and reflection of "Howl" and mould it with their original sound. Although that is not to say that their is not elements of thier wolrk in here, oh no good reader, however they are few and far between. Personally I feel some of the material is far more compelling in a more commericailised sense then some from "Baby 81", "The show's about to begin" is a good ol' romp BRMC style, Been's basswork is classic, there is totured attitude to each stroke.

TO a prospective buyer I would say this, not just as a BRMC fan but as a music lover; buy it, pop it on it will surprise you, you do not want to miss another sensuous offering from BRMC.

Rating: 5 out of 5