[matt]

Again, may be the hype machine but everyone seems to be saying that the new Verve album is fantastic.

I was quite impressed by new single Love Is Noise and look forward to hearing the new album as Urban Hymns does hold a special place in my record collection - I haven't listened to it in ages but when I do hear tracks on the radio etc it does bring loads of memories back which I guess is the nostalgia thing. It was a massive album at the time and almost universally liked - I've got mates who only listen to dance & electronic music yet they all loved Urban Hymns.

And not to stir up a hornets nest but I don't think you can compare the recent output of Portishead & Underworld. Portishead returned with an absoutely fantastic album that probably exceeded everybody's expectations after such a long hiatus whereas the last couple of Underworld albums are nowhere near their early creative highs...