Creation Records may have fallen by the wayside now, but former boss Alan McGee's new Poptones label has signed up another useful addition to its roster with London's Arnold. Their last full length recording 'Hillside', signalled the rise of a group infused with the tunefulness and inherent sadness of a modern-day Big Star. 'Bahama' heads more towards Beach Boys territory; not in the harmony stakes (the Arnold vocals are much more breathy) but certainly in the dreamy production that is employed throughout this album. This album does not necessarily improve on 'Hillside' but is definitely more coherent. Songs meander by wistfully and in the centre of the record reach a glorious peak in the form of 'Oh My' wich begins with a guitar figure aping The Chameleons at their most ethereal, goes on to the verse which recalls The Temptations' 'My Girl' and then reaches a glorious, blissed-out chorus. Less stunning, but worthy of note all the same, are the more thoughtful 'Other Son', the lush qualities of 'Climb' and the credited closer 'Pavey Ark' (credited, because there are 3 uncredited tracks at the end of the album); each one of them an otherwordly gem.