Cherry Ghost - Thirst for Romance (2007)

I first heard Cherry Ghost on a Glasto compilation - a live recording of Mountain Bird, which is still my favourite Cherry Ghost song. This is one of the best, complete albums I've heard in years, with a level of song writing excellence I find difficult to compare with anyone in Britain at the moment. The music at times reminds me of the seminal 80s-90s Australian band The Go-Betweens, with a distinct countrified sound, energised by the strong, rich vocals. At times too, in their quieter moments, I think this is what David Gray would sound like if he wasn't so hackneyed. But comparisons to Gray on any level do Cherry Ghost a disservice - this is far superior lyrically and in composition. As you can see I highly recommend it.

Saw Cherry Ghost on TV singing the track ' roses ' which tempted me to buy the album. 'Roses' for me is probably my favourite off the album and I think the best track but it is a bit of a grower, need to listen to it a few times but not a bad album.

I've been listening to and playing music for so long that it's easy to get jaded and to dismiss anything current. But once in a while something so, so good comes along that all the enthusiasm comes flooding back.

This is the thrid copy of this album I've bought - I'm giving the other 2 to ex-bandmates in a spirit of 'this is so good you can't fail to like it and to prove it I've bought you a copy!' Kind of acoustic, swooping and 'big', great words, a bit of North West accent - fits in with my other current favourite I am Kloot in my head at least. I saw them supporting the Coral and I could just tell!

You'll need to listen to this a few times but it's one of those records that you'll still be playing months later. The more recent album is great too.

So just buy a copy.

I love this album. I heard a track on Radio 6 - "People help the people" and had to buy the album. There is a good mixture of songs and styles on the album - Would recommend.

What a real delight! There's nothing genuinely new here, but this UK band has managed to pull off a real trick with this album. There are touches of Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev - especially on 'Mathematics', while Grand Drive, Micah P Hinson, Kristofferson, Springsteen, Ian Hunter and even The Divine Comedy all appear to have influenced these 12 (including a hidden track) superb songs. I have to confess to never having heard of them before this album, but at the time of writing it's just entered the UK album charts in the top ten. Makes a change from Il Divo and Daniel O'Donnell...