Thirteen Senses are stuck at the bottom of a well. Or might as well be, according to disgruntled fans who gripe that Vertigo favour the bigger-name bands on their roster, the likes of The Killers and Razorlight. As imaware aka Lee posted on the band’s official forum: “If anyone from the record label reads this, then pull your finger out your ass and start treating the Thirteen Senses brand with the respect it deserves. The lack of real success is not down to the music; it's down to you.”

Our Lee’s got a point. Yet the quartet themselves, whose 2004 debut The Invitation achieved Gold status and who back then had the likes of The Magic Numbers and Kaiser Chiefs opening for them, are also to blame. For their music is indeed big and beautiful, but also boring.

Following their relocation from the West Country to west London, the band claim they’ve adopted a grittier sound. Now whilst they might have done so live, on record Thirteen Senses come across as wafty and atmospheric as ever. A non-development which can, in part, be ascribed to their decision to retain the services of Danton Supple.

Supple is a producer who trained at Sarm Studios under Trevor Horn. He’s collaborated with Coldplay and Starsailor. Unsurprisingly, ‘Contact’ arrives smothered by polish.

Thirteen Senses have a choice. They can remain in relative obscurity at the bottom of their well. Or they can (literally) change their tune to get noticed.

(3/5)