The Happy Mondays - 'Unkle Dysfunktional' (Sequel) 02/07/07

Almost one and a half decades after the abysmal Yes Please!, the album that led to their demise, the Happy Mondays are all cleaned up and back with a new album; Unkle Dysfunktional.

Shaun Ryder has one of the most unique and recognisable voices in British music; when he appeared with Gorillaz on the single Dare in 2005, listeners got a nostalgic taste of the laidback northern whine Ryder does so well, and wanted more. In the same year, all round good-guy Bez won Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother, further pushing the Happy Mondays back into the nation's consciousness.

So it's only right that they're back now, with more of their chilled yet elevating summery music that feels so familiar. But is the new album any good?

There are both uppers and downers in this mixed bag; 'Jellybean' is a lyrically trippy mystery; Ryder shouts the verses and the instruments take a back seat until the uplifting, anthemic chorus where the two are able to gel happily together. Second track, 'Angels & Whores', has an introduction that transports us straight back to Madchester, the distortion on the vocals and the guitar riffs feel fresh yet familiar. 'Rats With Wings' is one of the weaker tracks on the album, where Ryder rambles through a major rant in the first half, sounding more like a random drunk on the corner than he ever has before. A cover of Debbie Harry's 'Rush Rush' is slowed right down to a comfortable Happy Mondays tempo, with Ryder singing a little more tunefully than he does on the other tracks.

All in all, there's nothing remarkable or groundbreaking on this album, but it's a nostalgic trip back to early 90s Madchester that should do well partly due to the current vogue of that era for those new to it, but it will also stir up old memories in those that lived through it.