There's a lot of expected of this second album from The Courteeners. Certainly, if you believe the publicity it’s a huge leap forward from their debut, St Jude.

Actually, it’s no great departure from the indie rock template as proved by the very ordinary opening coupling of The Opener and Take Over the World. Roping in Ed Buller on production has buffed up the sound, but production prowess can’t cover up the paucity of ideas on this CD. The band are in their comfort zone, and a few tweaks here and there, and a lush production can’t lift it out of the mundane. The single You Overdid, Doll is a prime example. It’s pleasant enough but just wanders in one ear and out the other, and that’s true for much of the album.

There are exceptions: Cross My Heart and Hope to Fly is a bit special with its air of otherworldliness and sparse use of strings, the plaintive The Rest of The World Has Gone Home. Scratch Your Name Upon My Lips has an urgent pumping dark edge, that’s welcome after the goo of Cameo Brooch, but doesn’t prepare the listener for the ghastly cloying Last of the Ladies. Will It Be This Way Forever’s washes of synths and strings close the album on a sombre note, and is rather good.

It’s by no means a bad album, the performances from the band ensure that, but there’s too much that’s ordinary here. Also Liam Fray’s lyrical self flagellation, may be honest even brave, but it’s trying, and that’s being polite.

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