Oh Brother, where art thou?

AT FIRST I thought this must be Ben from X Factor's brother.

They sound very similar, and why else call yourselves such an odd name?

But apparently not.

That excitement over, Beta Male Fairytales is great - a really confident, distinctive sound with a gravelly, Rod Stewart-style voice, Bob Dylan-esque backing, nice things. Like a hamper of goodies.

If it didn't quite set my world afire it was because it was slightly too over-produced for me - a little too studio.

I like a bit of roughness around the edges, a little stubble, a little less clarity. It's like Kris Kristofferson with a facelift.

But I have to hand it to Beta Male Fairy Tales, despite the polish - the tracks are all individual and accomplished. Let Me Out is the track on the radio stations of course, but it's not one of my favourites - too much crashing about in a way I find dull, but chaps generally love. A touch too anthemic, perhaps.

Other tracks, such as I Am Who I Am, appeal more to me, because I'm a sucker for a ballad.

And it gives James Hartman's voice a chance - it's a rich, flexible voice with an impressive range for one so gravelly and the crashy tracks mask that individuality.

Besides, Ben's Brother's Ballads has a great ring for a second album. Chaps?

Moving on to something completely different, Unklejam's Stereo 3.29... I hate to say it, but it's pretty danceable. If I weren't in the middle of an open plan office I might even liberate a foot to tap. But I couldn't. Much too embarrassing.