The third single off their 2005 album Siberia may not be vintage Bunnymen but it's a characteristically well-crafted three minutes of melodic moodiness. Not as strong as their previous single In the Margins, Scissors in the Sand still boasts a refreshingly spiky sound, with some nice hooks and a psychedelic fade-out. It's good to see the Scousers haven't mellowed out too much since first establishing their own brand of post-punk indie rock in the early '80s.

Since re-forming in the late nineties the Bunnymen have released four studio albums of surprisingly consistent quality - 'evergreen' indeed. Of course now only singer Ian McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant remain of the original line-up, but then the rapport between them was always what gave this influential band its distinctive sound in the first place.

Produced by Hugh Jones (who helmed their second album Heaven Up Here), Scissors in the Sand has the feel of their early stuff without quite having the same kick. There's nothing new or surprising here but Sergeant's guitar still twangs edgily and McCulloch's voice still resonates interestingly on the off-kilter borderline as he sings the usual elliptical lyrics. After almost 30 years the boys can certainly still hack it.

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Mercury Prize 2009 nominees