The world isn't short of melodic guitar bands. In fact they're about as rare as a novelty record at No.1 at this very moment. Coldplay were 'the new Travis', Starsailor are this years Coldplay and no doubt next year we'll see the new Starsailor. Is it just me who thinks this nu-acoustic lark is getting a little bit boring and predictable?

Well perhaps that's what I thought before hearing this debut release from Birmingham's Theory Of Everything. A few listens to this record will make you see, and believe, that emotional and melodic alternative music still has something new to offer. OK, so 'Return To Eden' isn't totally 100% original, something the band themselves unashamedly admit ("individuality in music comes from stealing from a wide variety of sources.") but it sure is refreshing to hear music as tender and as good as this.

'Return To Eden' is a powerful, sweet and emotional track, which offers something new with every listen. If it's not the startlingly catchy chorus ("I will be holding you close, if only for a little while, we still have time") it's the soft heartfelt vocals and lyrics coming from frontman Ben Richards. The flip-side 'Yeah, It's A Weight' is a 2-tone offering and almost as impressive as the A-side.

With an ever increasing fanbase built up through touring and local airplay, big things can be hoped of this band, and on the basis of this, that isn't a bad thing at all.

Next year's Starsailor, anyone? Piss off.

Theory Of Everything's debut album 'The Failure Of Arithmetic' is out at the end of October through Addison Records, distributed via Shellshock. For extra info contact sibristoll@hotmail.com