Here Bob is back in pop-as-you-wish-it-was, mode with an impeccable suite of eleven (ostensibly) straight ahead songs, each its own world but united by echoes of the best of pop history, exquisite production values and novel but model arrangements – and absolutely no fat: not a note wasted and no opportunity for pleasing – or surprising – detail missed; it’s a joy from start to finish and the sum is even greater than its parts. On the way you will encounter more than the usual scattering of high precision prompt-a-gasp guitar solos,  a reality-challenging vocalisation of a grandsire double and a passing storm. A tour de force.