Hats by The Blue Nile

Finding a category into which the critics can slot them has been a problem for this excellent Scottish band. File under 'very good quality pop' no longer exists on the record label. For the uninitiated, they have the soulful, wandering nature of John Martyn, mixed with some anthemic U2, plus a tolerable dose of Deacon Blue/Simply Red. A strong synthesizer backdrop may deter, but the lush arrangements are truly lovely. Paul Buchanan has an emotive voice that is well suited to his melancholic material. Three albums in nearly 15 years is hardly prolific, but they are critically acclaimed and quality is always better than quantity. Minimize