It was inevitable that when this album was released that the Plague Monkeys would receive a critical panning for copying the Cocteau Twins's sound. Carol Keogh's vocals are extremely similar to Liz Fraser's although the multi-layered vocal effects used on the Cocteau's records are not concentrated on here. The actual songs are perhaps most redolent of The Sundays because they are far more stripped of technology. First track, 'Safe' is mournful and 'Breaking The Ice' and 'Surfacing' are more sinister and intense. It is right to say that The Plague Monkeys need to develop more of an identity but their influences are worthy and even at the worse times (of which there are thankfully few) this at least sounds like respectful plagiarism.