Bound Stems - The Family Afloat (Flameshovel) The Bound Stems second album wasn’t easy. Fall outs, reversed decisions regarding career choices and writers block all played a part in its gestation - but the result seems to be satisfactory. They’ve toned down their previous math rock tendencies for a far more relaxed, warm and fuzzy approach - though never twee - which compliments their songs about, for the most part, human failings. Especially when it comes to maintaining relationships, possibly a pointed observation of how songwriter Bobby Gallivan felt, spending long periods on the road supporting their previous Appreciation Night release and his subsequent relationship with his bandmates. Although everything seems rosy enough in the garden now as The Family Afloat bobs audibly along on currents of cockle warming, blissful contentment. www.flameshovel.com Rob F. Next