Cosmic Rough Riders - The Stars Look Different From Down Here

Cosmic Rough Riders, happily making honey-drenched ditties since 1998, continue in similar vein with their third long-player proper in the midst of a huge UK tour which will see such venerable concert halls as Welwyn Garden City's Green Room witnessing a taste of West Coast songsmithery from Glasgow's finest. Much the same as their previous efforts, 'The Stars…' is a neatly packaged collection of jangly verses and rousing, harmonic choruses. Standout tracks, Lost In America and When You Come Around are the 'Riders at their addictive best and while they don't maintain this throughout, there are no real low points. One feels the band should be more widely cherished than at present and with any luck, this album will result in their own star rising a little. [Jon Seller]