The Blue Nile are chiefly famous for two reasons, firstly the irregularity of their releases (roughly coinciding with every second Olympics) and secondly their ability to produce high quality adult rock albums. It's debatable whether each album has thus far justified the length between recordings; the first three were great but each lasts an average of forty minutes with little difference stylistically between each. This time, however, the flaws are beginning to appear because - quite simply - the songs aren't quite as strong and the lyrics veer towards the cliche. An unassuming beginning is characterised by 'I Would Never' which begins with a lyric of "I have walked a thousand miles" and features the kind of arrangements more suited to Michael Bolton. 'Stay Close' is another weak moment; a seven-minute sagging, lifeless ballad. Now more than ever the music needs a strong vocal from Paul Buchanan and he generally delivers, steering the title track and 'Because Of Toledo' out of bland territory. These songs bookend 'She Saw The World' - the one genuine outstanding moment of the album - where the pace picks up and Buchanan is backed up by the kind of lush, keyboard melodies that made previous albums so memorable. As sumptuously arranged as 'High' is though, one can't help thinking this is a polite retread of previous efforts.