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This is one of those instances whereby one has to face the fact that the promise and potential evident in early material is destined to remain tragically unfulfilled - and that's invariably a conclusion drawn begrudgingly, as it's hard to face the fact that a new artist you were once so excited about have turned out to be nothing more than yet another purveyor of mediocrity. That's not to say this is a bad record - far from it - and indeed, if this were the Do Makes' debut, maybe it would generate the same enthusiasm (in me) as they did back then. It's just that, well, it's more of the same, suffering the same fate as their much-lauded labelmates by failing to show any significant development in that time and instead remaining very much within the over-familiar ambient/post-rock remit. 'Winter Hymn...' comes in the usual lush artstock digipak and is undeniably accomplished and likeable - it's just that in such an over-populated area that's not really enough to make any kind of impression.

Andy Slocombe
CWAS #13 - Autumn 2003

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