Smashing debut by ALAMO RACE TRACK, a Dutch quartet who at times bring to mind the raw but smart end of American pop & rock from the likes of THE STROKES, VELVET UNDERGROUND, PAVEMENT and even the hooks of WEEZER, while at other points they can exercise themelancholic restraint of RADIOHEAD and DEUS. Carried along by the flawless songwriting of the group's leader, RALPH MULDER, 'Birds At Home', the group's first album, which has finally arrived after a long gestation, is an impressive distillation of all that's best in contemporary pop.