STRAITJACKET FITS: Hail (Rough Trade R147) lp

...Straitjacket Fits, on the other hand, are an altogether bigger proposition. They are marked by a breadth of vision, a command of melody and a lyrical intensity that is simply breathtaking. 'Sparkle That Shines' is the best song of the year so far, no question. This is closely followed by 'Dialling A Prayer' and the classic 'Life In One Chord' which was also a single. Straitjacket Fits have a sense of enormous space, an ear for a good tune and a burning intelligence that refuses to go away. It's simply impossible to have too much of a good thing...and this is good, very good.

- Steve Morris