God knows what they're putting in the water in Norway these days but whatever it is, it's working. After years of playing the poor pop relations to neighbouring Sweden, 2001 saw the country produce such excellent musical exports as Royskopp, Kings Of Convenience and Midnight Choir. Hot on their heels come St Thomas, a group of solemn young men who play a lo-fi brand of rickety country music, replete with weeping guitars and mournful harmonicas. Familiar territory, sure, but what really marks St Thomas out from the crowd is the star presence of frontman Thomas Hansen, a former postman who sings in a high, quavering voice that's remarkably reminiscent of Neil Young. His quirky lyrics display a wry sense of humour, too, which he wheels out to good effect whenever things threaten to get a bit too downbeat. Back home St Thomas are Top 10 stars; success on that scale is unlikely here but it certainly wouldn't be undeserved.