Correspondent

Stand are in the vanguard of a new generation of Irish bands who don't believe in hanging about waiting for somebody else to give them the green light. Consequently they've already notched up two Irish chart hits on their own label, both included here. Now, in Correspondent, they have produced an album of depth and polish that belies the fact that this is their debut.

This snappy Dublin foursome have the good sense to know that less is often more, and some of the highlights on this album are the result of an instinctive simplicity, while the hit singles 'Breathing But There's No Air' and 'Questions' would adorn the catalogue of more vaunted bands.

'Don't Try To Wake Me' has the aching melancholy that brings the Moody Blues to mind and 'Lighthouse Stairs' craftily blends a slow Lennonesque rhythm with a Nick Cave vocal. 'Retro Generation' turns up the heat with some rugged playing, while both 'Lift' and 'Laying Low' are underpinned by sparkling guitar figures.

Unfortunately, the bluster of 'This Trusting Is Over' delivers very little and 'Weapons' and 'Paradise Parade' pale in the shade of the classier tracks. But if the album wimps out occasionally, Correspondent still serves as a stunning debut in any reporter's book.