In a way, it's hard to believe Black Box Recorder are still a going concern; this is now their third full album of that peculiar genre known as posh synth-pop. Fronted by Sarah Nixey , who bites the lyrics like a young Margaret Thatcher; bitter, aloof and cynical. Yet behind her are the instrumentalists, one of whom, Luke Haines was the leader of the critically adored The Auteurs. It is perhaps typical of modern society that what was once considered Haines's spin-off band has now become more successful than his far more complex guitar-led group of old. 'Passionoia' is more of the same; perfectly palatable pop but despite the satirical lyrics - at its worst - songs like 'These Are The Things' sound like they are building up to a chorus by Steps of all people. In fairness some nice deviations are well worth a mention: Nixey's unexpected rapping on 'When Britain Refused To Sing' and a homage to Andrew Ridgeley ("the other one" in Wham!). Yet despite these humorous asides it is hard to think of Black Box Recorder as anything more than a novelty act which has perhaps now run its course.