IF EVER a songwriter deserved wider acclaim, then it is Teitur Lassen. Something of a big fish in his native Faroe Islands, Teitur released the difficult album The Singer to a fanfare of publicity earlier this year, yet his York concert in May was poorly attended.

So now comes a compilation of tuneful highlights from his three English language releases. Staying just the right side of twee, the selection exemplifies his old-fashioned way with a melody. Louis Louis is perhaps the pick of the crop, a nostalgic reverie for the late trumpet maestro that is somehow timeless.

Catherine The Waitress shows that despite the pretentiousness creeping into his music, there remains a clever pop brain at work. For the newcomer this is a fantastic place to start and should have broad appeal to anyone who enjoys straightforward, yearning heart songs.