The Undeveloped Heart  
Vibes 25th March 1998

Deacon Blue? Oh yeah, the melodic Scots middle-of-the-roaders who sang about ships called dignity and once produced an album called Raintown, now possibly considered "seminal" among those in the know. Oh well, life goes on, hairlines thin out, musical differences occur.

Lead singer Ricky Ross, though, seems simply to be getting on with it. This might be Deacon Blue all over again, but it comes from a man who knows he's no spring chicken. The title track is the gentlest of melodies that builds and builds, with train-chugging bass effects in the background and some gorgeous plinky piano. Deep and meaningful, desperately sad and desperately good, even if you hate to admit it.Melanie Henderson