In their eight years together, the Broken Family Band never achieved more than cult success, and this debut from their former frontman Steven Adams's new outfit gives every indication that he's going to languish on in relative obscurity. Not because the songs are bad; far from it: they're solidly crafted but low-key, rooted in old-school, diffident indie jangle. There is a hint of early Belle and Sebastian in the exasperated fuzz of Injured Party, while Spit in the Sea could have been recorded 25 years ago. What makes the album is Adams's thoughtful songwriting, his sympathy for those who can't escape themselves (Bird on the Wing) or the wife regarding her husband with quiet despair (Married Woman). He can be splendidly acerbic, too, especially in The Old Days, about a man who used to be in a band, but has "seen my flame splutter out". It sounds like acute self-criticism, but Adams needn't worry: his glory days are far from over.