Album: The Phoenix Foundation, Buffalo (Memphis Industries)

Too early to start talking albums of the year? Course it is.

Not to worry, though, as Buffalo is unlikely to worry many of those diversions come December. Newly signed to the UK-based "left-field" label Memphis Industries, the Phoenix Foundation are a six-piece from New Zealand who have been making music since the late 1990s. It's adequate, atmospheric, grand indie-rock and it's got certain critics' pulses racing.

Each to their own. For me, there's nothing here not to like, but even less to love.