A 70-minute guitar album which is predominantly without vocals may not seem like a tantalising prospect to today's music lovers. What a pleasure it is to report then, that this album conveys rare emotional depth and intensity in its use of slow building melodies which are full of gorgeous, painful melancholy. 'Helps Both Ways', with its Amerian football commentary in the background, is oddly captivating; 'Cody' the only song with original vocals is well above the average indie-fare whereas 'May Nothing But Happiness Come Through Your Door' and 'Chocky' say more in chords than words could ever do with their inherent sadness. The real genius is that the guitars don't have to be played loudly to encourage genuine interest; the textures and chord changes are subtle and moving. Only on the 10-minute plus, 'Christmas Steps' does the formula become a little dull. All this probably makes Scotland's Mogwai the most exciting guitar instrumental band since the early days of Durutti Column.