This is Justin Currie's third solo album after six Del Amitri records. 'Lower Reaches' is short in length, but there is no doubting his talent despite its downbeat title. It begins with a funeral in opener 'Falsetto' and ends with a wedding with closer 'Little Stars'. 'Lower Reaches' was written over a short break in Skye, and Celtic spirit shines through in 'Priscilla', a pleasant ballad with a beatbox carrying it. There are a couple of typically Del Amitri sounding tracks particularly in 'I Hate Myself for Loving You' and 'Every Day's the Same', but there are many surprises on here. 'On My Conscience' has a country shuffle, and there is no doubt that recording this in Texas with producer Mike McCarthy influenced it, but the bitter and twisted lyric leaves nothing to the imagination and whomever this was written about will certainly not need any prompting. There is a real shift in the unmistakable vocal from Justin on another piano ballad 'Into a Pearl', and the closer 'Little Stars' with its incredible vocal has you yearning for more. Currie reckons this album is a personal best, and I would have to agree. This is an album which I will be listening to frequently. Every song is a winner .