Unkle Bob - Sugar and Spite

While the subject matter of Unkle Bob's lyrics has been worked over many times before - slightly melancholic love affairs and the joys of music - their use of the banjo as a lead instrument is frequently inspired. They never extend themselves beyond sly ballads and gentle musings, and the vocals are both over-produced and fey; despite this, they are capable of a moving poignancy.

From an unsteady start, where pop clichés crowd out the delicacy of their arrangements, the consistently late-night atmosphere of the album builds into a majestic folk climax: 'Vagabonds' captures a drowsy ambience and closer 'What Do I Know' suggests a weary determination. The acoustic guitar pickings of the later tracks are ill-matched with the anthemic choruses, but Unkle Bob are working their way towards a unique fusion of lush melody and romantic sensibility. [Margaret Kirk]