In idle moments I sometimes ponder just what it is that some musicians do to fill the hours between waking up and going to bed. If I were the head of BBC3 I would probably commission a show about it. Does Paul Young spend all day watching ‘Homes Under The Hammer'? Does that bloke out of Level 42 fritter the sunshine hours playing Grand Theft Auto on his PS3 before slapping the bass for a couple of hours? It must be very pleasant to have been a moderately successful musician who can now do pretty much what they please. Neil Halstead, now resident in Devon, moved there to surf all day, and to compose music in the evening. He has even cultivated a rather marvellous beard. And a mostly agreeable album. Its fair to say that a few surprised eyebrows were raised at the news that Halstead, formerly of Mojave 3, had signed with Jack Johnson's label Brushfire for this second solo release. After all, he has spent his working life with the great UK indie heavy-weights, spending his early career as part of Slowdive on the good ship Creation. And he has certainly been reliable, one of the few remaining songwriters of his generation consistently able to come up with the goods. However, if this album is anything to go by, Halstead is totally relaxed about the move, his music, and life in general.This is a record that seems to owe more to the quirky charms of Syd Barrett to the layered guitars of shoegaze. The guitar is often delicate and full of charm, title track Oh! Mighty Engine showing a slight Mojave 3 influence, with subtle slide guitar and slight percussion. "Little Twig" is quirkier still, Halstead utilising a peculiar whistle to his vocal in a recording so intimate you can almost hear the creak of his chair. "Paint a Face" evokes early Belle and Sebastian whilst the outstanding "Queen Bee" is a real highlight, a wonderful piece of songwriting that gets better every time you hear it.What is most satisfying is how restrained the album is at times, sounding utterly natural and unaffected. Halstead is making the music that he feels the most comfortable with at this moment in time. Sure, I would love him to get the old tremolo pedals out of the attic, but for now, I am happier to see him gazing at the ocean rather than at his shoes. 65%Neil Halstead on MySpace