There's something comforting about a band whose group members are not blessed with the most wholesome of looks; it's as if to say to people that they are not here to be pretty boys but they can really play their instruments otherwise they wouldn't have got a record deal in the first place. Nottingham's Six.By Seven are one of these bands and it's no surprise to learn that their stock-in-trade is largely based on early-80's glum rock allied with a few modern production touches and an admirable punk ethic. Their second album certainly displays the punk heart on its sleeve more than the debut, 1998's 'The Things We Make', although in truth the racket caused by efforts like 'Sawn Off Metallica T-Shirt' and the ode to their hometown 'Slab Square' grow rather tiresome after a while. Thankfully the more trippy tracks like 'England And A Broken Radio', '100 & Something Foxhall Road' and 'One Easy Ship Away' display more original talent whilst 'New Year' is a euphoric anthem for depressives, featuring some crazed vocals from singer Chris Olley. This is undeniably unfashionable music which sits uneasily in the modern rock agenda and although it falls short of the achievements of their excellent debut, this will be a welcome addition to any collection of miserable records.