Having recently supported Four Tet in the UK, New York's Paul Schneider should have attracted a few more British converts to his accomplished left-of-centre indie-rock material. Heartfelt without being cloying, each song on 'Escape Velocity' is delivered with warmth, tenderness and more than enough tunes. Like a more soothing Elvis Costello, Schneider is an easy on the ear vocalist who begins with the laid-back and light but slightly anguished 'Event Horizon' and then proceeds to knock out heavier, more intense guitar hooks on 'Echo Of Your Heart', 'Don't Walk Around' and 'Waiting'. The closing riff of 'I Remember You' even threatens to approach shoegazing and further surprises - country guitar on 'Tourniquet' and the sinister drum beats of 'Feed' - work well in different musical environments. Schneider never threatens to push back the boundaries of rock but - like all good songwriters - maintains a high level of interest and melody throughout.