In the current scrum to avoid guitarists (is there one? or have I just made that up?) The Reseach offer hope beyond the MoR. A trio from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Sarah, Georgia *and *Russell The Disaster create songs of musical simplicity but thematically complex beauty.

Their debut release opens with the short-but-storming rag-tag of '_She's Not Leaving_', which reminds of the kitchen sink tales of I Am Kloot but without the pressing instrumental ennui. 'Love Me Tender' is a slow burning tale of love by pro-wresting metaphor (_"elbow drop to my weak torso... from the top turnbuckle, my baby looks so small_"), amounting to a bruised warning against the perils of love and romance.

The winning gem is the two-minute 'Stand By My Man', a bitter counter-angle to the similarly-titled Country & Western favourite. Grinding keyboards pound relentlessly ala Fiery Furnaces, and Sarah delivers a mournful tale of dependancy and domestic abuse. "_okay put your knuckles on your table / and I'll play dead again_". Strangely, not as depressing as it sounds.

Charming yet ultimately quite dark; this is the sound of living where no one can hear you scream, or not even bothering because everyone's in the same boat. Yet, it's done with such precision and rueful loveliness that you can almost hear the band sinking comfortably into it. It might make a good career, but it's probably not good for the psyche. It is however, Highly recommended