Gentle drum'n'bass from mixed sex duo.

Lamb's swooning Cocteau Twins-esque rush had critical backing but not the commercial hooks for mainstream crossover. Hummable tunes are still not their true forte but Fear Of Fours boasts the best of attitudes: an organic taming of technology, fluid (but not self-indulgent) instrumental interplay and an unconscious blend of genres. Double bass and Rhodes's vocals - baby doll meets Billie Holiday - up the jazz ante, and there's a tendency towards womb-room ambience and trip-hoppy stateliness. Less Than Two revisits the classical feel of outstanding debut album track Gorecki; the instrumental Ear Parcel out-Sizes Roni for gliding funkiness; and Lullaby is a beautiful ode to Rhodes's baby, while dream-weaving Softly, the crunchier Fly (re-recorded from the Psycho soundtrack) and flamenco-flecked Here prove that Lamb can do daytime Radio 1.

rated:  * * * (out of 5)

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review:  Martin Aston

nicked from 'Q', dated July 1999

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