The Hours' debut album, Narcissus Road, signals the arrival of a talented British indie rock band worth paying attention to.
Tipped as one of this year's hottest bands, the duo - Antony Genn and Martin Slattery - are experienced musicians. Genn has played with bands, such as Elastica and Pulp, while Slattery is an established pianist and keyboard player.
The results of their first collaboration are refreshing. The lyrics - full of references to art, celebrities and football - are seemingly light but pack a punch on closer listening. The tunes, usually accompanied by Slattery's clean, simple piano chords and riffs, tend to get stuck in your head.
The first four numbers - Ali in the Jungle, Narcissus Road, Back When You Were Good and Love You More - are all excellent. The lyrics are down-to-earth but heartfelt: 'I love you more than my football team/I love you more than my Adidas trainer' comes straight from the heart of a football-loving man.
It is a shame that the band fails to sustain the quality and innovation throughout the album.
Some of the songs in the final third of the album are rather flat, although they are still a class above the mediocrity of Coldplay. This band is a quality rock outfit in the making.