Album review: St Jude's Infirmary

TITLED in deadly earnest, this Edinburgh quintet's second album arrives bearing few scars from its veritable soap opera of a gestation and offering instead a selection box of cosmopolitan delights – a Phil Spector beat, the jangle of a New Orderish guitar, 60s girl group backing vocals – and local reference points, both playful and romantic. The sweet country soul voices of Ashley Campbell and Emma Jane and the rich baritone of the boys come together seductively on Taxi to the Sea, while celebrity patrons Ian Rankin and Jack Vettriano (who also supplies a self-portrait for the album sleeve) deliver their spoken word contributions with drama and relish.