One More Grain - Isle of Grain

The emergence of One More Grain's first album, Pigeon English, in spring last year was a welcome oddity in a music scene chock-a-block with poseurs in skinny fit jeans, and their second builds on the achievements of that debut magnificently. Whether or not you're taken with them depends on how you feel about monologues delivered in a northern accent, as on lead single Having A Ball. The accompanying music wouldn't sound out of place on a Bad Seeds LP or Bernard Hermann's Taxi Driver soundtrack; all seedy, squalling horns and moody grooves best suited to the midnight hour. Perhaps it shouldn't work, but somehow it all melds together to become a captivating listen. Daniel Patrick Quinn imparts his eccentric nuggets of wisdom in a more endearing manner than rock's great curmudgeon, Mark E Smith, to whom he is often compared. Though perhaps not the most accessible of records, Isle of Grain could propel this band to another level. [Graeme Blaikie]