14 years ago Anneke van Giersbergen joined The Gathering after a chance meeting with the drummer at a car boot sale in Delft. Now, that may not be strictly true but I really can't be doing with meaningless background research. You either know who she is, or you don't care. Otherwise you've got a computer, use google yourself!

Anyway she left the band last year after the recent Home album (a common theme with albums called Home it seems) to pursue a solo career. She formed a new band Agua de Annique, and this is their first CD air.

I suppose you fall into one of two groups. Either you're totally in love with Miss van G and she can do no wrong, or you were disappointed that The Gathering mellowed over the years and blame her, or you don't know anything about either of them.

Let me tell you now that those of you in Group B will be unhappy to hear that the album is very much one for the Anneke fans, with her beautiful voice to the fore, with her new band only being allowed to rock out on a couple of tracks, such as the second track Witnesses, a track that reminds me of 90, alt rockers Loud in sound and interestingly enough subject matter - religion, and You Are Nice, which make these the stand out tracks along with album opener Beautiful One, a song that sets the direction for the album, melancholic with Anneke's wonderful voice soaring over a simple rhythm and Day After Yesterday. This is the first song I'd heard on her MySpace page and fell in love with. The melancholy literally drips off this tune like honey off a childs honey and banana sandwich.

But each track is elegantly crafted and can stand up for itself, which makes of wander why we haven't played more of it on the Proggy Style Radio Show. Have to make amends there in the near future.

An excellent album from a beautiful lady.