The spread of instruments on this album is wide: strings, flutes, organ, piano, glockenspiel and timpani. "Ashes In The Snow" ends climatically, in a way that most bands would finish their album. Where can Mono go from here? "Burial At Sea" has the majesty of Arcade Fire and the suaveness of a James Bond soundtrack. This is the sort of music to allow yourself to drift away to.

"Silent Flight, Sleeping Dawn" is notable for its simple, melancholy piano, backed with orchestral sounds. As the title suggests "Pure As Snow (Trails of the Winter Storm)" is most suitable for listening to when you are alone with magnificent examples of nature: the sea, maybe mountains or at the very least a waterfall. This is not the sort of music you can use as background to your social interactions. It would do a good job taking your mind off your daily commute though, if you can cope with the incongruity between the beautiful sounds in your ears and the grimy, depressing visions before your eyes. Noisy guitar whooshes add to the intoxicating effect of this song.

"Follow The Map" has the ambience of the quieter side of The Gathering. "The Battle To Heaven" starts slowly. Mono are a band that know they've got time and space so they don't have to rush things. The song builds, with a hint of Disintegration-era Cure in the guitars. "Everlasting Light" is the last song. It follows the quiet/loud dynamic established so far, bringing the album to a triumphant close.

Mono are a band for people who aren't interested in hearing tunes they can hum. If you like the atmosphere of Sigur Ros, but would prefer them to be an instrumental group then Mono are for you.