Clearly, Windsor For The Derby haven't mellowed with age when the first song on 'Giving Up The Ghost' is titled 'Dirge For A Pack Of Lies'. For a band who have worn their black hearts on their sleeves more than most, this builds on their last album's move towards an ever glummer style of glum-rock with only traces of their earlier ambient work now apparent; production-wise 'Praise' and 'Shadows' successfully conjure up the spirit of a Martin Hannett record. It's compelling eerie material thanks to the group's ear for a queasy melody and some cool, breezy vocals. This isn't a record caked in a depressing cliché though. 'Gathering' tackles brittle goth-punk whilst spooky instrumental 'The Front' finds room to breathe amongst the grim vocal tracks and best of all is the funereal folk of 'Science'. Unusually 'Giving Up The Ghost' ends on a relatively high note thanks to the hopeful 'Every Word You Ever Said' but ultimately it's the attractively dark songs which will haunt the memory in the long run.