Bounded by an elegantly moulded song construction and perfectly realised arrangements, The Bathers' majestic album is almost scuppered by its own penchant for poncification and pretension. The song titles alone (Venice Shoes, Pissoir, Via D'Oro, Ave The Leopards) are worthy nominees for Pseuds Corner. Chief Bather, singer and songwriter Chris Thompson somehow manages to brazen it out, and with the gentlest of nods to Van Morrison, Tom Waits and The Blue Nile delivers these sumptuous tunes with the born again soul intensity of a genuine Celtic troubadour, his octave-defying, swoony vocals cruise across a smoothly textured undertow of warmly caressed strings and mesmerising piano melodies on an LP which is quietly awesome.

Paul Davies Q Magazine (4 Stars)