Welcome to Winners

Thus, Lowgold came shining through on "We Don't Have Much Time" and "Just a Ride", a brace of radio-tailored pop numbers picking up from that moment where Del Amitri discovered the Byrds. And while they haven't done enough to circumnavigate the ongoing Travis comparisons, they ought to feel pretty annoyed if words such as "Americana" continue to get thrown their way. The tidy harmonies and glossy self-absortion will irritate those who prefer their tortured artists to come unshaven and dishevelled, but Lowgold are a band more at home with writing songs than striking poses. Welcome to Winners is a dependable return and it's hard to see how they can continue to sustain their lack of commercial good fortune. --Kevin Maidment