Ed Harcourt

While it's always amusing to remind yourself that Ed Harcourt used to be bassist in bratpop, Symposium-lite band Snug, it really does the man an unjust disservice to mention.

Mr Harcourt has thankfully removed himself from such propstrousness and can currently be found creating some rather beautiful compositions, with a depth and elegance that Snug could only have blinked at.

It's a humid setting in The Roadhouse, and it is apparent that Ed Harcourt is not a happy man, 'I'm on a bit of a downer tonight' is the only explanation we are given. A shame for this evening's surprisingly older looking audience are wetting themselves in anticipation of hearing the craftsmanship on debut album 'Here Be Monsters' in the raw flesh. On that part, there is little disappointment. Opening on debut single 'Something In My Eye' with Harcourt on guitar singing in that soothingly impressive voice. He may not grace the technical prowess in his larynx of the Buckley ilk, but croons whimsically in an impressive manner.

Describing the sound of Ed Harcourt is to attempt to inform Mr President that a full-on nuclear assault is not necessarily the only way around things. On mini-album 'Maplewood' we were subjected to some raw, passionate yet upbeat tunes. 'Here Be Monsters' still offers passion, but has a much more laid back feel. Tunes such as the rawn beauty of 'Building A Swamp' contradicts piano driven 'Shanghai' but it all knits together and Ed Harcourt, having just been nominated for this year's Mercury Music Prize, has found the right formula.

Hopefully the downbeat mood of Harcourt was nothing more than tour blues, this music is perfect for a Sunday morning comedown, mellow and moving.

Here be very few monsters, and an abundance of priceless gems.