HE'S toured with REM and the Foo Fighters. He's headlined the Mean Fiddler. He's played Glastonbury. Me, I'd never heard of the chap.

Which is a shame because he's awfully pleasant to listen to, as he spins his tales of broken love and disenchantment. Ask me to sing one of his songs back to you five minutes after I've heard it, however, and I'd struggle. For while Mr Yorn cloaks you in the warmth of a mood and blinds you with the amiability of his voice, there's not enough melody to captivate - the only sit-up-and-pay-attention moments coming at the opening of Come Back Home, the growing strength of Crystal Village or the sparky Burrito. The lyrics are solid, and the musicianship excellent - but without that hook, I know when I mention his name to friends, I'll be met with quizzical glances and lips that shape the word "Who?"

Updated: 09:43 Thursday, September 04, 2003