WHAT an enjoyably provocative album this is. Acoustic Ladyland are difficult to categorise, which is part of the noisy fun. Is this free-jazz meets punk, or jazz-rock in a high-speed collision with heavy metal?

Hard to say, but it doesn't really matter. What counts is that Acoustic Ladyland play dynamic music that blasts much jazz out of the water.

True, their sound can be hard to take, and the introduction of vocals doesn't work, as shown by the single Salt Water.

But the opening three tracks are wonderful, especially Road Of Bones, which playfully begins with a pretty refrain, only to blast it away with an explosion of heavy menace.

The polar opposite to easy listening, this is difficult, confrontational listening - music to challenge, annoy and inspire. Fantastic stuff, in moderation.