A lesson in how to evoke the heady euphoria of the 1980's whilst still offering something different, the first album from Southern England duo Grand National is one of the year's surprise treats. Rupert Lyddon forged an early career in a Police covers band and it's often quite disconcerting to hear what appears to be Sting making himself heard over a danceable groove. On occasions - as on the impossibly uptempo 'Cherry Tree' - the music veers worringly towards M People territory but most of the time the Mancunian reference points are New Order and the Happy Mondays. 'Drink To Moving On', 'Talk Amongst Yourselves' and the sombre yet slick 'Peanut Dreams' benefit from some nagging guitar and the final song 'Litter Bin' represents the comedown once this party is over. Even a revival in SKA music doesn't sound such a bad idea on hearing 'Boner' and the steel-drum indebted 'Daylight Goes'. Rarely has the past been updated with such inventiveness.