Peter Jefferies’ first album after the dissolution of This Kind Of Punishment, the group he co-helmed with brother Graeme, might be his definitive statement. It certainly captures the many sides of Jefferies’ music – from gruff, strident rock songs (“Chain Or Reaction”, “The Other Side of Reason”) through heart-worn ballads like “On An Unknown Beach”. What makes Jefferies’ songs so compelling, though, is his capacity for emotional observation – the characters that populate his lyrics are finely drawn, and the situations he details are tightly woven and detailed. And while he does, sometimes, play his piano like it’s a percussion instrument, on songs like “Unknown Beach”, he uses the full lyrical heft of the piano, repeating a beautifully poised pattern with great delicacy.

– Jon Dale