After a 15 month disappearance from the UK music scene Mansun are back with their new album: "Little Kix". Known to 95% of the British population as "Wide Open Space Mansun" they are once again pushing to the forefront of British music.

Their initial huge success from the debut album "Attack of the Grey Lantern" was not followed in the same light by their second album - "Six" - an amazing collection of mostly fragmented songs which had limited chart success but gave them a large cult following. "Six" was undoubtedly a masterpiece, a work of art, and it has proved difficult to follow.

Mansun have therefore moved in a different direction, led by their lead singer Paul Draper. "Little Kix" is their most mellow offering to date and the fact is that it has been a little overproduced. Those accustomed to "Six" will feel slightly alienated by the softer almost "girly" sound found on the new album but should adjust reasonably easily, whilst the album will bring in new fans more interested in the more popular sound.

The album begins with "Butterfly (A new beginning)", which is the most recognisable Mansun song on the album, being heavily dependent on guitars and backed up by the vocals of Draper. It is a transition between "Six" and "Little Kix" and it works well.

Their latest single "I can only disappoint u" follows on and is one of the strongest songs on the album, but is a sign of the mellowing continuing??lt;br>
"Comes as no surprise" is the main start of the new sound and is indeed soft but pleasing on the ear with softer moments building up to strong choruses fuelled by powerful vocals from Draper.

"Electric Man" is next and is only due to be their next single. A strange blend of everything Mansun this seems to be popular judging by people's responses but is one of the oddest sounding tracks on the album.

"Love Is??mp;quot; begins as a thumping song courtesy of Stove's bass guitar and is another Mansun classic, but does tend to go on a little bit too long.

"Soundtrack 4 2 lovers" is arguably the best song on the album. A stirring melody of piano, a 70 piece orchestra and the band, creating a beautiful and emotional song that you'll want to hear again and again.

The next two songs, "Forgive me" and "Until the next life" are reasonably similar sounding at first and are "soft" similar to the theme of the album, but do include excellent use of a Hammond organ to give a slight retro edge.

"Fool" is a catchy, pacey song but sounds a little too poppy for the type of music Mansun should be producing.

"We are the boys" is another of the stronger tracks from the album and is also boosted by the inclusion of strings. A soft yet powerful chorus pushes it onwards to being a Mansun classic.

The final track "Goodbye" is designed to be a "live" sounding track and is a seriously strange song. If you own a copy of "Six" then this is the "Cancer" of the album. it needs to grow on you. Give it time.

There's no doubt that it's a great album, but the lads from Chester can do much better. If you're into chart music then this is for you. If you're into Indie or Rock music then buying "Six" would be a smarter move. Whoever you are though, give it a try.

7/10