The Quireboys - Well Oiled

Like Agatha Christie's disappearance, at the height of her fame, the curious case of the Quireboys' lost years is worthy of investigation.

A hard rocking London combo in the style of the Faces/Stones in their 70s pomp, this late 80s band were tipped for great things. They built up an old fashioned live following after stints at the famous Marquee. Their debut album A Little Bit of What You Fancy (featuring Rod the mod's guitarist Jim Cregan) went in at number 2 on the UK and Japanese charts.

They opened for the Rolling stones, joined the Monsters of Rock at Donnington and were one of the few Brit bands invited to appear at the Gathering of Tribes, the forerunner to seminal Lollapalooza festival. Then they dropped off the radar.

When the second album emerged in 1993, Cobain and co had moved the goalposts and The Quireboys were were worst than history - they were ignored. Their career flat-lined.

Now in 2004, a mere 13 years since they were contenders, the Quireboys are back. And the great thing is, it doesn't feel like they've been away. This is through astute production which brings their formidible live chops to the fore. Good To See You is a tongue-in-cheek tip of the chapeau to their loyal fans; it kicks off a loose, free flowing rock'n'roll party high on melody and sing-a-long choruses plus a clutch of great tunes; You've Got A Nerve, What's Your Number and Black Mariah for me are the picks.

Spike's vocals have that familiar mid-Atlantic rasp beloved of Kelly Jones. But this sounds like the real deal not at all forced or treated. Damned by association to glam rock - when they were in fact closer to Oasis - their Brit-rock credentials are clearly seen with Keith Weir's sprightly keyboards and the twin guitars of Griffin and Guerin. Add an ass-tight rythmn and touches of blues/rock harmonica and its a satisfying treat.

A case of if it ain't broke don't fix it.