BACK with their third album, the Sunderland foursome return to the bombastic post-punk-pop that served them so well on their eponymous 2004 debut.

It all appeared to be going swimmingly back then, with some strong singles and a first-rate cover of Kate Bush's classic Hounds of Love making the Top 10 the following year.

Then came the "difficult" second album, "disappointing" album sales, and a P45 from label 679 recordings.

But proving the old adage that necessity is the mother of invention the Futuremen, in their own words, "embraced the punk-rock ethic and took control of their own destiny", setting up their own label. By heck!

The results are lively but patchy. Single The Beginning Of The Twist is as infectious as the flu and This Is Not The World is a powerful, driving anthem.

Don't expect any surprises and you won't be disappointed.