Melys - Casting Pearls

Following the surprise success of their song "Chinese Whispers", which topped John Peel's Festive 50 at the end of 2001, there has been increased expectation surrounding Welsh four-piece Melys' third album. But try as they might to match the lush indie-pop of their most famous song, they never fully achieve this. The sumptuous vocals of lead singer Andrea Parker continue to enchant, but the melodies here lack the necessary bite to make them truly memorable, and even the better ones are frustratingly undermined by poor production and arranging.

Rating: 2 / 10