It's hard to believe it's six years

since Blink released their

wonderfully refreshing debut A Map Of The Universe By Blink. Back then they were arguably the most exciting rock 'n' roll band in Ireland,

with bags of talent and attitude, and enough potential to fulfil the aspirations of a dozen hopeful quartets. Their tale since, however, is filled with so many episodes of music industry mismanagement that you can only admire the guts and determination that have seen them through to

today.

The End Is High received such copious praise from Billboard two years ago that the band are probably still glowing from the orgasmic pleasure it gave them. Thanks to the absurdities of record company logic, however, the album has only just been released in Ireland.

It's strange reviewing a record that's this old, even more so when it includes two tracks that date back a further four years: 'Cello' and 'Fundamentally Loveable Creature'. Such flair for memorable melodies remains, best illustrated by 'The Raven', a dark and introspective number so heavily submerged in effects you'll wonder how a couple of hours later you're still humming the tune. 'The Girl With The Backward Spin' and 'Sky Land Scraper Paper Fly' have the sort of addictive tunes and simplistic charm to remind you why many regarded Blink as an Irish New Order. This blend of rock dynamics with eighties synth-pop sensibilities is what made Blink stand head and shoulders above the rest of the Irish pack, after all.

They can still cut it without the synths - try the melodious angst-ridden 'Baby You Broke My Heart But You Know' or the explosive 'A Planet Made Of Rain' for size - but occasionally they try too hard to rock out, and end up sounding like any other guitar band, as on 'Dead Little Bird' and 'This One Is Wild'.

The End Is High is not as exciting or as memorable as its predecessor, and the lingering after-thoughts are on what might have been, and whether the end is nigh? Not to mention the fact that 'Cello' is still one of the greatest Irish records of all-time.