Following a difficult period when Secret Machines were supposed to become the new Coldplay, Benjamin Curtis decided to jump ship around the time they got dropped by Reprise (though credit readers may note the presence of Alejandra Deheza on Ten Silver Drops).

Curtis had befriended the twin Deheza-sisters once of On! Air! Library! (think two Hope Sandovals with Jane Birkin fringes) when both supported Interpol. The trio opting to leave their bands and record electronic-based music in their home studio. The results, are at worst...pleasant...and at best...intoxicating.

School of Seven Bells should certainly be associated with the shoegazing-inspired scene the critics on the street are tagging Nu-Gaze; perhaps 'The Scene That Celebrates the Scene That Celebrated Itself (before locating more apt employment')? This means you can playlist them next to A Place to Bury Strangers and Deerhunter...

Perhaps many are making this comparison as debut single and concluding track here, 'My Cabal' was released as a 7" on Sonic Cathedral and like the severely uncelebrated Slowdive, they are continuing a sonic euphoria established by Cocteau Twins.

School of Seven Bells' appeal may lie in their approach - the band choosing to build the material from already formed lyrics and vocals prior to instrumentation. Opener 'Lamundernodisguise' typifies this approach with folky vocals pitched between early Clannad and Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares set to a looping sonic maelstrom worthy of Mezzanine-era Massive Attack...which of course featured one Liz Frazer, once of Cocteau Twins. Someone whose vocal presence isn't far away from this record (e.g. 'Face to Face on High'), though if thinking of trip-hop associated acts I'd present lesser known subjects like Recoil and Ruby than the usual ones. It's kind of a surprise 4AD didn't sign them!

'White Elephant Coat' sounds like Timbaland producing The Creatures - which is more than interesting - especially as Curtis' sets a Severin-style bass-line to ambient keyboard jabs, and his own approximation of Frippertronics (Curtistronics?..).

The highlight of the album is probably the epic 'Sempiternal/Amaranth' which sounds like Kate Bush getting down with Zuckerzeit-era Cluster. In harmony. At odds with that infinite piece is 'Prince of Peace' which is a supremely accurate slice of sub three minute pop. Imagine the knowing pop of Saint Etienne approximating Ol' Dirty Bastard's 'Cuttin' Headz.' Alpinisms may not be immediately captivating on first listen, though there are some instant pleasures... an album to grow into...I'm certain I'll love it more in a year's time.