It helps - of course - that Machin & Glover had the good taste to engage singer Mark Lanegan. The former Screaming Trees frontman - who has also collaborated with The Twilight Singers, Queens Of The Stone Age and Belle & Sebastian's Isobel Campbell of late - is perhaps the best moody rock singer of the past 15 years or so. He sings on all eight of the album's tracks that feature vocals, and makes songs like "Ghosts Of You And Me", the Rolling Stones cover "No Expectations", and - especially - the opening tune "Revival" beautiful and spooky at the same time.

It's not an album that may strike you right away. Repeated listens are required to fully appreciate the disc. Make sure you take some time and check it out, preferably by yourself at home, with headphones, a glass of wine, and your own personal thoughts...

Written by Dan Reed