DEALING with the suicide of Feeder's drummer and co-founder Jon Lee has been a long and painful process for frontman Grant Nicholas.

Pushing The Senses is the singer's second attempt at trying to come to terms with the tragedy in January 2002. It foregoes the honest ambition and epic tunes of Comfort In Sound for something altogether more reflective.

Ironically, the more radio-friendly nature of many of the songs may push them into the big league.

There are some truly epic moments, none better than opener Feeling The Moment, which boasts some fabulous "woo hoo hoos" to make Bono proud.

Feeder's more tender new direction is summed up in first single Tumble And Fall, a hit with the Keane and Coldplay-loving public.

The high-energy punk-pop anthem Pilgrim Soul will appeal to their more traditional fan base, which certainly won't like the atmospheric, Dove Grey Sands, wherein Nicholas commits rock heresy by swapping crashing power chords for a gentle pluck on an acoustic.

The biggest letdown is the inane lyrics, which read like the worst kind of angst-ridden sixth form poetry.

Nicholas may never get over the death of his best friend, but this album will at least ensure the band's legacy lives on - despite the dodgy words.

Updated: 09:07 Thursday, February 10, 2005