Subtitled 'A Collection Of Earthtone9's Aural Communique 1998-2002', 'Inside, Embers Glow...' is a sixteen track retrospective of a band who imploded in 2002 but have now decided to reform and have another stab at the business.

Originally available from the band's website as a free download - yes, all sixteen tracks! - the album now gets the official release treatment for all the music nerds that still have alphabetized CD collections (sound familiar, Über Röcker?) at a budget price and packaged in a quite superb digipack featuring some striking artwork.

So, if you're not a music nerd why should you buy this? Well, apart from the fact that downloads are at best a wank while compact discs and vinyl are full sex, the sleevenotes from vocalist Karl Middleton could (and maybe should) persuade people to part with a small amount of their hard earned. Honest about the band's split in 2002, Middleton's words are humorous, humble and offer a great introduction to this collection.

It's interesting to read Middleton talk of this compilation containing songs that still stand up, for that is the first thing that hits me as the album shakes the cobwebs from my rafters. In the eight years that Earthtone9 were a nonentity it is true that heavier music became more commercially viable, maybe the new rock standard, and it is surprising just how many of the sixteen songs rammed onto this shiny disc sound as contemporary as the songs that you will hear if you switch on Scuzz TV today.

Sure, some of the material sounds a little of its time - there are some moments when the word 'Korn' flashes before my ears - but if you played this album to a slew of heavy music fans of the younger generation I guarantee that they will be wanting to know who it is and how they can hold of it almost immediately (not that they'd buy the CD, the young bastards!).

That the songs on this album stand up in today's musical climate proves that Earthtone9's reformation is well-timed and readied for a second hit at success.....if they can stay friends, that is......

Recommended.

www.myspace.com/earthtonenine