Whether any band in 2001 should want to sound like the Beatles circa 1966 is a bit of a moot point. Give Texas group Cotton Mather the benefit of the doubt, however, and their new album is one of the most straightforwardly enjoyable to be released this year. Blending chiming guitars with ethereal harmonies, these are songs which really wouldn't sound out of place on Rubber Soul or Revolver - and while vocalist Robert Harrison may share a surname with George, his nasal vocals are thankfully much more reminiscent of John. Hero worship on this scale may not be entirely healthy, but the skill with which Cotton Mather pull the various elements together can't be denied - and at least they do it a lot better than Oasis. Well worth investigating.