Bell X1's sixth album, Chop Chop, takes an altogether different approach. Rather than relying on malevolent noise makers and malfunctioning computers like they have in the past, Chop Chop shaves Bell X1's melancholic sound - sculpted by front man Paul Noonan, bassist Dominic Philips and multi-instrumentalist David Geraghty - down to nothing but simple reverb-trailed riffs, wildly expressive vocals and delicately layered rhythms. The end result is an effortless feel that permeates the entire album.

It's an interesting album, and one that slowly grows on you over time. It contains nine tracks, lasting 37 min, 17 sec. Personal favourites include the hypnotic 'A Thousand Little Downers'; the melancholic 'Diorama'; and the catchy 'The End Is Nigh.'

While far from an essential purchase, this is an enjoyable collection that will provide a diversion for a number of weeks.

7

Nick Smithson