Not In A Million Lovers - Beangrowers

Well this must be a first for me. I don't think I've ever bought an album by a band from Malta before (although I'm aware that someone will quite possibly point out some obvious band that I've completely forgotten about). Although, to be honest, there's nothing on the album that particularly screams Malta at the top of its lungs.

In fact the immediate thing that comes to mind upon listening to the album is just how much of it you've heard before. There is glimpses of Blondie, snatches of PJ Harvey, moments of Elastica, bombast to rival the Killers...but despite this, there is no denying that the album seems to, well, work. Good Band Bad Name matches sonic beats to pulsating guitars, whilst Quaint Affair gives us a slice of ambient pop.

Of course, the lack of originality can't help but drag the album down a notch, but it would be churlish to complain too much when so much of what is on the album hits the mark to some extent.

Fans of the Postal Service, The Cardigans or even The Pixies will probably find lots to enjoy on Not A Million Lovers. It may not be the most original album you'll hear in 2008, but that doesn't make it any the less enjoyable.