There are some bands which are so ridiculously predictable that it physically hurts to listen to them; bands with hooks so old they're almost fossilised; bands trying so hard to be 'cool' that they totally ignore that thing they call 'melody'.

Then there is the Coral.

In a world where musicians wear their influences proudly on their sleeves, the Coral are refreshingly difficult to categorise. The music is psychedelic and unpredictable yet incredibly catchy. This album boasts bona fide pop classics such as 'Dreaming of You' and 'Goodbye' alongside slightly unsettling chants, like 'Spanish Main', which is strangely reminiscent of a sea shanty. The lyrics range from the ridiculous to the sublime, and sometimes an inspired combination of the two. 'Simon Diamond' chronicles one man's metamorphosis from man to plant (sample lyric: 'he can water himself but can't change the climate' - eat your heart out, Kafka), whilst 'Waiting for the Heartaches' is a more conventional love song.

This, the debut album of a group of Scousers with an average age of about 20 and a penchant for 'the weed', sounds like it could have been recorded 40 years ago, and yet still manages to sound thoroughly 'now'. James Skelly is blessed with an instantly recognisable voice, and the rest of the band provide perfect backing vocals on what is a surprisingly adept album for such a young band. The quality of the songs is maintained throughout, making this an impressively mature and confident debut.

The Coral may well be the best band to come out of Liverpool since the Beatles, only much more fun. Buy this now, as it's too good to miss.