It has been a little over two years since the release of The Devastations' acclaimed self-titled debut (described by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in Mojo magazine as "the best thing I've heard all year", and named the best debut of 2004 by Rolling Stone Germany). But that time has been spent productively, the greater part of it in Europe, using Berlin as a home base, touring the continent and working on their follow-up, Coal.

Recorded in three locations - a Prague concert hall, the former East German headquarters for radio and television in Berlin, and a Melbourne studio - Coal's gentle ballads, such as 'I Don't Want to Lose You Tonight' and 'Dance With Me', sit alongside the sharp, rapid fire assault of 'Take You Home' or 'What's A Place Like That Doing In A Girl Like You'. Strings and piano alternate with stinging electric guitars, and throughout the songwriting is deft and heartfelt.

The record's beauty is also enhanced by the contributions of a number of special guests. New Zealand songbird, Bic Runga, lends her gorgeous voice to 'A Man Of Fortune', Padma Newsome, of highly-regarded New York instrumental quartet Clogs, plays violin and viola on 'I Don't Want To Lose You Tonight' and 'A Man Of Fortune', and Genevieve McGuckin (ex-These Immortal Souls) plays a woozy optigan on 'Dance With Me'.

It's a testimonial to the Devastations' craft that despite its varying recording locales and special guest appearances, Coal is as cool, cohesive and compelling a record as you could ever hope to hear.