An acoustic live album: Possibly the ultimate acid test of skill for a rock band as well as their songs. With everything stripped back, you can’t hide behind reverb, pedals or studio polishing, only limited to one shot at each song and your basic instruments. This is what White Rose Transmission is trying to do. And they succeed with flying colours.

Using straightforward acoustic sounds with indie methodology and friendliness, not only do they remain highly accessible to the average listener, they also show that they’ve years of playing experience under their belts as the level of skill and talent is all too apparent here. As they’ve been going since 1995, they’ve been around long enough to know how to do things.

“Love or just Loveless” opens softly but firmly. “Wildest Rose” is like an acoustic track like the Mission UK. “Cold in Spring” is as lonely as it is maudlin and pleading. “World as a Whirlpool” is some crackling 80’s touches, but overall sounds something like 90’s Britpop. “Ashes Or The Sparks” seems to take some influence from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. “Lifeboat” is a cold creature that relies on samples to make its point. “Valley of Blue Flowers” is wonderfully optimistic and so peaceful you’d think that the fact that the band’s from Amsterdam means that they’ve been helping themselves to some legal cannabis.

“Bone Breaking Days” has come in from a long hard day that’s been going on for a few months now. “Fire Flies” makes wonderful use of the piano (They even ask for more piano on the monitor!). “Weightless” a touch beatnik, a touch goth and far more then just a touch prog rock. “Silent Air” shows up to the party with an amazing Pink Floyd style guitars and even engages in a guitar solo. “Shades of the Night” sounds rather tired but “Walking In The Opposite Direction” has flourishes of The Mission UK but takes far more from the likes of Pink Floyd with more excellent screeching guitar solos and incredibly organic percussion. A superb number to finish the concert and the album.

While the band cites good influences like Jeff Buckley and Pink Floyd, there are so many different fans of bands I know would enjoy this. Fans of the Mission and All About Eve would appreciate the laid-back tone. Lovers of Love Spirals Downwards and Cranes will savour their melodic guitars. Those who dig The Cure and The Chameleons will savour their indie spirit.