For a label at the forefront of popular indie music, (their current roster includes The Streets, Mystery Jets, The Futureheads and Secret Machines) 679 Recordings' patronage of Australian-born Martin Craft may seem like an odd choice. Craft is every inch the archetypal understated performer in both his humble appearance and his muted vocals. The songs initially appear to be geared towards obscure radio stations but the breadth of his oeuvre and the subtle intensity of his songs suggest 'Silver & Fire' to be one of this year's slow-burners. The opening title track is a wistful folk number, 'I Got Nobody Waiting For Me' is a country lament but 'Lucille' shifts towards lighter, uptempo material. Craft is also a master of grooves; 'You Are The Music' features him backed up by a similarly restrained female backing vocalist but the song itself is hypnotic and hooky whereas 'Snowbird' takes a slightly different approach; injecting a sense of urgency as it hurtles towards its menacing chorus making it a rude interruption into a sea of calm. Otherwise, the easy charm and 1970s ambience of this record make it an ideal accompaniment for lazy Sunday mornings.