'One by one / You suffer me badly,' was probably the most ironic lyric Unkle Bob could have conjured up halfway though playing to a packed Water Rats in Kings Cross, London. Four songs into their set and it was obvious that nobody was suffering as the gentle charms of 'One By One' filled the smoky room following three compelling opening tracks - 'Swans,' 'Hold It Down' and 'Vagabond.'

Unkle Bob are a tricky band to describe. They sound a bit like a lot of pleasant guitar bands you might have listened to over the past decade but they've managed to carve a clever little niche for themselves with a nice line in wry lyrics and gorgeous melodies that dominate every bar. They sit some way ahead of Embrace in terms of instant likeability and impassioned song writing, and maybe to the slightly calmer left of some of heavier chart-friendly rock and indie bands. However you define them, Unkle Bob's mix of grand, heartfelt and melodious indie is extremely hard to dislike.

Shortly after 'One By One,' the band also showcased a brand new song, with Rich Webster (vocals and guitar) and Geoff Widdowson (keyboard) swapping instruments and launching into a delicate keyboard based number called 'These Words.' Although typical of many of the band's songs, in that it may need a few listens to get under the skin of it, first impressions were excellent and along with 'Better Off,' 'What Do I Know,' 'Hit Parade' and their latest single, 'Put A Record On,' it added to an extremely impressive half hour of polished performance and subtle song writing.

The best aspect of Uncle Bob's performance was that the music clearly means a great deal to every member of the band. Rick Webster's heartfelt and frequently personal lyrics are sung with a meaning and depth of tone that is quite special. The rest of the band, from Geoff Widdowson's impassioned keyboard playing to Stuart Cartwright's intricate and warm guitar and banjo accompaniment, all added to the feeling that a gig means much more to them than churning out some songs in a dingy backroom bar.

Although the band's set was far too short, covering only eight songs from their critically lauded album 'Sugar And Spite,' the one new track plus a quirky instrumental encore, the idea that 'less is more' was most appropriate as everyone would probably have watched the whole set again without any complaints - it was that good. We suffered them gladly, not badly.

WORDS: BEN H MURRAY