Once seen as rivals to U2, Liverpool's Echo and the Bunnymen now find themselves in much more modest circumstances, reduced in numbers and recording for a small indie label. The good news is that Flowers, the band's third album since they reformed in 1997, is probably their best since their mid-80s heyday. Produced by the band's core members, grumpy singer Ian McCulloch and enigmatic guitarist Will Sergeant, it's a fine showcase for their peculiarly aloof and majestic brand of confessional pop. They may be going through a bit of a midlife crisis, but on this evidence there's plenty of life in the old curmudgeons yet.