Swedish band Winter, fronted by Anna-Lena Winter have been around for a good while. Following the usual club and festival apprenticeship, they released an eponymous debut album n 1999. In an attempt to take it to the next level they journeyed to New York to work with producer Malcolm Burn (Dylan, Emmylou Harrris) on their 2002 follow-up Million Miles. But the big break never came and they returned to their roots to record Ten Songs (2004) that raised the band's profile in Europe and the UK.

A Matter Of Time is a collection of eleven love themed songs penned by Anna-Lena, which also sees the recruitment of new guitarist Fredrik Lidin who completes the line up with longtime rhythm section Abbe Abrahamsson (drums) and Johan Stromberg (bass).

Winter are not an easy band to pigeon hole. Not as indie as the likes of The Cardigans, not as pop as Roxette, not as rock as Europe, and although there's some country influences at play, a bit too mainstream to claim to be aiming at the Americana cross over market.

But what they have got is an easy on the ear rock radio friendly sound, some decent songs and an excellent vocalist in Anna-Lena. Nothing world shattering, but by the same token put Matter Of Time in the car cd player and the miles will drift past without you ever feeling the need to reach for the fast forward button. Nothing wrong with that.

If you're inclined towards Americana, but prefer the more commercial elements and are just looking for something less challenging and that's not going to scare the neighbours' cat, Matter Of Time could just be the ticket.

***½

Review by Pete Whalley