Back in 2002, My Education from Austin, Texas submitted their own entry to the post-rock debate with a debut record that refused to sacrifice melody for the sake of length. For this reason alone, the follow-up 'Italian' is something which can genuinely be looked forward to. Initially, the customary Godspeed! comparisons are unavoidable as the hugely melodramatic 'Snake In The Grass' lurches its way towards an apocalypse. But after the destruction comes the recovery courtesy of the slowed-down percussion and nagging chords of the rich, dignified 'Plans A Through B'. Elsewhere 'Thanksgiving' and 'Texas Style' provide the aching gorgeousness central to many of today's best post-rock records, the centrepiece 'Puppy Love' takes classical music by the scruff of the neck and only the final two tracks could be accused of being over-ponderous but it's a rare slip. Overall, this is a well-judged second album with its ability to balance the noise with moments of elegiac beauty.