The Hours - Back When You Were Good

Back When You Were Good', the second single from "piano-punkers," The Hours, sounds sinkingly similiar to its predecessor, 'Ali In The Jungle', only with the tempo-dial turned all the way down to "ballad." It's all epic pianos and synthetic strings, formed through melodies that are just a little easy and predictable. Sitting uncomfortably on just the wrong side of Coldplay on fair-trade Afghan opiates, 'Back When You Were Good' is lackadaisical, almost bored, and a heaving disappointment from a band who've already proven capable of something so much better. [Neil Ferguson]