Few deserve their place in the sun more than Lowgold. After the dissolution of Nude Records they were left without a record label then they faced bankruptcy. We should be thankful that the follow-up to 2001's acclaimed 'Just Backward Of Square' arrived at all. That debut showed plenty of promise with a selection of happy/sad songs but as the tempo was generally slow it missed the popular indie vote. Doubtless the understandably low-budget 'Welcome To Winners' will please their loyal following and should attract a few more listeners as the album has even more emotional depth and just contains better songs basically. Recent single 'We Don't Have Much Time' reveals their new found intent for more uptempo music, this trend is continued with 'Famous Last Words', 'Just A Ride' and 'The Same Way' (in fact the latter would seem to be the most obvious single) all beautifully delivered in exemplary yearning fashion by main songwriter Darren Ford. Rather like Arnold, Lowgold produce melodies that could be termed old-fashioned but are too strong to endure the usual lazy 60's comparisons. 'Let Me Into Yours' edges it for best track; it's a return to their earlier pre-occupation with slow dreamy anthems but its gorgeous elegiac guitar figure married with Ford's heartbreaking vocals is a real spine-tingling moment. No one would have blamed them if this album wasn't overcome with bitterness but the end result is one of immense warmth.