YORK'S loyal crew of gig-goers became more than familiar with The Coral in the band's early days.

After a repeatedly-cancelled Fibbers gig, followed by a brief set when The Coral actually did turn up, this city's record-buying public had every reason to be cynical about the latest 'next big thing'.

However, despite the brevity of that Fibbers show, the word was positive. Pleasingly weird singles, a storming tour and a belting Glastonbury slot followed.

By the time this self-named album was released, the question, "Have The Coral got the tunes?" had been answered with a resounding: "Yes".

Not that music is in a bad state, it's just The Coral have added this great record to quality music from Doves, Badly Drawn Boy et al, while also opening a new list of options.

Their music conjures images of happy, Sixties psychedelia, trips to funfairs and sunny days in festival fields, while still somehow staying connected to today's realities.

Waiting For The Heartaches hides lines such as, "There's nowhere I can possibly run/I'm waiting for the heartaches to come" around the fantastic runs of guitar that trademark the album. Singer James Skelly snarls and slides his way across the crescendo of new and old sound provided by this band of travelling troubadours.

It's rare to feel a genuine buzz about a British band, then see them deliver the goods when the album comes. The Coral have done it and apparently have almost another album's worth written already. We're in for another treat.

Updated: 09:51 Thursday, August 01, 2002