THE New Pornographers are like a composite of what a great band should look like: a cerebral songwriter –AC Newman, alt.country siren Neko Case and a host of guest stars. Sadly, it doesn’t all fit together.

While the melodies fly and the singers impress, it is unexciting stuff. The opening numbers have an impressive way with rhythm – an unusual combination of guitar and violin – although the songs themselves don’t have enough chutzpah in the mind long. Sadly, a number of songs appear to have been derived from this backing track, which naturally palls quickly.

Your Hands Together sounds like The Who by numbers. Only Up In The Dark rescues this from one star status with a aching reflection on love. Ultimately disappointing.