Coley Park - Rhinoceros

Hailing from the dreary Reading suburb with which they share their name, you could be forgiven for a Scooby Doo double take once the music starts. This, the third release from Coley Park, is a surprisingly accomplished collection of effortlessly cool psychedelic country sounds; the listener is merely coaxed in with gentle guitars, occasionally easing their way to make room for a subtle banjo. Opener Hip Hip Hooray is one part lullaby to two parts ho-down, while the soulful Thirsty Dogs recalls a more pop-centric Iron & Wine. The standout, Devils Tree, makes a bold trench run for song of the year. Coming over like a slacker alt-country Dinosaur Jr electing to replace sonic feedback with a warm enveloping layer of pedal steel, the touch is deft. While at points there's a feeling that a few rough edges remain, there's no point in pretending otherwise; this really is a record of understated beauty. [Garry Thomson]