So where does this stand amongst the Strangeways catalogue? There is enough here to remind older fans of the 'good old days', but as always there is material in there that is there because this is what the band wanted to do, not were forced to do.

'Perfect World' possibly strayed too far away from the Strangeways 'core sound', but 'Age Of Reason' returns the band to more familiar territory, albeit still far removed from the 'aor by numbers' approach of other bands, or indeed earlier albums. Rootsy, melodic, bluesy, moody, rocking in varying degrees and quantities, but as always the quality shines through...

Keiran Dargan - Rocktopia