hat makes an album essential? We’re always being told our record collections "wouldn’t be complete without so-and-so". Is this true or is this horseshit? Surely you can get more than enough out of listening to the cream of all the myriad other albums released through history without ever needing to hear that one special record someone somewhere deems essential? There are more than enough records that I love but wouldn’t recommend to any Tom, Dick or Harry.

Where do American Analog Set fit into all this? Well, numerous reviews have labelled this album "inessential". Not a life-changer. This seems like a curious stick to beat a record with. Sure, you could comfortably see the year out without hearing Promise Of Love. Just like you could comfortably see the year out without listening to many (all?) albums released in 2003. But the most important thing about this album is that anyone who does decide to buy it won't be disappointed. Promise Of Love is chock-full of pretty, melancholic music. In other words money well spent.

American Analog Set’s fifth full-length release has a familiar palette of indie-rock influences: Galaxie 500, Velvet Underground, Yo La Tengo and My Bloody Valentine being the most apparent. This is a group that likes to take its time: guitars are strummed tenderly while organs wheeze gently in the background. This is not to say that AAS are incapable of showing momentum: furious drum crashes and bursts of guitar noise frequently punctuate the otherwise calm, peaceful mood.

Opener "Continuous Hit Music" is a typically exquisite drone. Starting out with a two-note organ riff over an insistent Krautrock pulse, a wall of guitar noise gradually builds, before descending into a haze of sweet girl/boy harmonies. "Hard to Find" and "You Own Me" are gorgeous slices of mid-tempo dream pop: the closing burst of guitar fuzz on the latter is a cheeky nod to My Bloody Valentine’s "To Here Knows When."

Elsewhere American Analog Set attempt to show less quiet restraint. "The Hatist" is a nicely hypnotic groove characterised by clipped drums and arpeggiated guitars. The title track is the most upbeat cut, as for once the vocals switch on and rise above the usual dreamy mumble. Guitars and drums are whacked rather than caressed, and the change of pace is welcome.

However, the standout is closing lullaby "Modern drummer" (ironically the track on which the drumming is at its most restrained). Graceful cello flourishes complement the gentle keyboard melody, creating a mood of nocturnal calm. The only real duff cut is penultimate track "Fool Around", a tuneless, overlong attempt to hypnotise the listener where for once American Analog Set’s lovingly crafted music outstays its welcome.

Of course, your world will not change if you buy this album, at least not in any noticeable way. And no, your record collection will not be bare without it. But if you do pick it up you may find yourself listening to it and enjoying it, and surely that’s more than enough?