On the basis of the excellent debut single ‘Return To Eden’ you were led to believe that Theory Of Everything were all about melancholic, mellow songs. Though they did it with a certain quality many a-bigger band would give a limb for, there was always a slight worry, prior to listening to this record that it would be to one-dimensionalal. What with Turin Brakes et al who can blame for doubting that?

Whilst ‘Returning To Eden’ remains the highlight of this record, the album itself is more than just your average, dare I say, N* A* M* bands offering. From the straight ahead rock-tune, a superbly named, ‘Weasel Lip Balm’, which almost draws an uncanny resemblance to Muse, without the OTT vocals, to the distorted ‘Treacle’, the record is full of diversity and direction.

However, it is the more melodic and softer songs which perhaps most rewarding about this album. ‘The Imposter’ offers a jangly New Order-like tune, whereas the haunting climax of ‘Sleepyhead’ (with the disturbing cries of “wake up, wake up” ending the record) builds and builds into an epic track, and one of the highlights of an extremely promising debut.