Hotel Baltimore

It took the best part of two years for Cotton Mather's superb second album Kontiki to reach this part of the world but the Texan Power Pop trio more than filled in any holes in their public profile with a series of rapturously received shows in these islands, including a barnstorming gig in HQ. Cotton Mather are currently recording a full-length follow-up to Kontiki but in the meantime have issued this 7-song collection to stave off withdrawal symptoms.

Hotel Baltimore, vibrant as it is, doesn't quite replicate Cotton Mather in the flesh, who combine the Pop suss and acidic snarl of The Beatles circa '66 with the sonic attack of pre-Tommy Who and I'd defy even a producer as talented as Kontiki helmsman Brad Jones to deliver that to your living room.

Robert Harrison's vocals remain as Lennonesque as ever and when coupled with the frenetic guitar attack of 'Lost My Motto', 'Missing The Boat' and 'El Matador' create a heady, exhilarating rush which Power Pop aficionados will find utterly irresistible. 'Dream Girl' finds Cotton Mather exploring previously unknown doo-wop depths, 'Altar Boy' is a Country-tinged rewrite of Gram Parson's 'I'm Your Toy' and 'Baby Freeze Queen II' hints at the sparse melancholy of 'In My Life', while the instrumental 'John Wayne Jung' makes up the numbers.

Those seduced by Kontiki will be more than happy to have their appetites whetted for the forthcoming collection and anyone who fancies dipping a tentative toe into the Power Pop paddling pool could do far worse than wade in here.