CD CHOICE: I Want That You Are Always HappyPIAS ****

It’s a brave band that leaps from a speeding bandwagon. A year ago all eyes were on The Middle East, thanks to a superb EP and show-stealing performances at SXSW. The band from Townsville, Australia had momentum, and many anticipated that their atmospheric, intricate folk tunes would make one of 2010’s better debut albums.

But The Middle East pressed the brake. Instead of rushing out an album and continuing to tour those songs right through the year, they stopped, stood back and took stock. The debut and the world tour could wait.

I Want That You Are Always Happyis the sound of a band who have gone off and figured out who they really want to be. While there are plenty of indications that we're still dealing with the group who thrilled us with The Darkest Sideand Bloodoff the EP, these are altogether bolder sounds, brighter textures and stronger songs. The Middle East can still set dreamy, moody, sombre scenes (check the opening Black Death1349 for more of that captivating quality), but that's now just one string to an elongated bow.

Case in point is Jesus Came to My Birthday Party, which might appear relatively simple at first listen, but you'll find plenty of engaging hooks fast-forwarding the narrative beneath the fuzz. Likewise, Dan's Silverleafmoves from pastoral alt.folk to country-rock and Americana strains within a few verses.

The band's emphasis on musical nuance impresses throughout. There's a craft and a care to how songs are sculpted, pitched and arranged. You'll probably hear this most clearly on closing song Deep Water, with Jordan Ireland's vocals guiding the listener through a track that gently builds and bubbles and draws you right in to the heart of the storm.

The Middle East have decided to take their time, and it turns out to have been a wise decision. See myspace. com/visitthemiddleeast

Download tracks: Deep Water, Jesus Came to My Birthday Party, Black Death 1349