Tim Bowness' instantly recognizable voice perhaps unavoidably casts the formal Samuel Smiles debut in the shade of No-Man, but there's a clear difference musically, which helps the band stand apart from its more well-known cousin. The "ambient folk" description may have been given half in jest, but things are generally far more understated than No-Man -- the splashy surge of songs like Soft Shoulders or Kiss Me Stupid isn't in evidence here. Even so, World of Bright Futures isn't so much either ambient or folk, adding to the brew a mysterious roil of everything from late-night jazz to gentle loops. When things are mostly stripped down to acoustic guitars, as on the beginning of Sorry Looking Soldier, Bowness' long-stated affinity for musicians like Peter Hammill and Nick Drake becomes perfectly clear. There's a similar sense of direct intimacy, almost uncomfortable to hear, while the accomplished musical performance over the track's length (Bowness and Bearpark on guitars, Chilvers adding bass and piano, and Clifford on congas) brings it out even further. With the romantic collapse of the title track starting things off on a perfectly balanced note of passion and hatred, the subject matter weaves similar courses throughout. Something of You is perhaps the cut that is at once most cutting and perversely beautiful, with Bearpark's semi-surfy hook and Chilvers' piano the bed of nails for Bowness' soft self-torture. In a neat guest appearance, Steven Wilson stops by to lend his No-Man partner some electric guitar backing on (Watching) Over Me, which also features Chilvers' own band companion from Alias Grace, Sandra O'Neill. She also appears on Lisa/Ophelia, another fascinating, quietly wrenching portrait of despair. A live bonus EP appeared with initial copies, including a great piano-led version of Something of You with Bowness nearly letting loose once or twice. ~ Ned Raggett, Rovi

1		World of Bright Futures
2		Dreaming of Babylon
3		(Watching) Over Me
4		Sorry Looking Soldier
5		Two Hands
6		Red Eye Removal
7		Something of You
8		Lisa/Ophelia
9		Small
10		Smaller
11		Come to Me
12		Never Lose Control
13		Something of You
14		Sweet Kiss
15		Brightest Blue