FOR all those who say you should never look back, just look forward, I give you Whales In Cubicles.

Sounding straight out of the 90s, the London-band hit the ground running with their alt-rock powered debut album.

A riff and drum beat straight from the golden era of Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl herald the entrance of aptly-named opener Yesterdays News. The melodic vocal delivery blending well with frenetic and yet accessible guitar solos to provide for a song that grabs your attention and ensures you are alert and ready for whats to come.

We Never Win takes it down a notch for a while, bringing the vocals to the fore, before the guitars, drums et al kick in to anthemic levels.

Its a great start and the high standard doesnt slip as the Goo Goo Dolls-style All The Pretty Flowers preludes a return to the West Coast and Golden Medal. A further six tracks make up an album that impresses not because it breaks new ground or tries to plough a lone furrow, but because it makes you think of days you perhaps thought were long gone and, as far as Im concerned, thats no bad thing.

Matt Westcott