There is only one problem with this record; it might cause you to become extremely frustrated, as for years the Frames have created wonderful, touching, perfect songs, yet they have never been recognised for it. On For the Birds this is also the case, only the songs are even more beguiling, and if this does not make the world sit up and listen to the Frames, then nothing will.

What happens when the heart just stops is one of the most tender moments you are likely to hear on any album. Furthermore, Hansard delivers it with such honesty and sincerity, that it reminds you of the open emotional recollections of Mark Kozelek. Disappointed is the same, and one of the most beautiful songs ever written. It embodies that same universality that is now a hallmark of the Frames' songs, but with something else that's hard to describe. Perhaps it is the sheer understatedness, simplicity or the rough bedroom-esque recording quality that reaches deep deep inside, and you know you've felt all these words before but never been able to express them. That is arguably the one of the most wonderful things about this band. All of their songs are accessible - moments that have been experienced by all of us, and Hansard's voice offers us an empathic ear and someone who is there for us when everyone else has walked out.

The band's musical ability is also exposed fully on this record, with the surprising Fighting on the stairs sounding like a revved-up White Ladder era David Gray with added ardour and banjo. Santa Maria has the same kind of feeling as Fitzcarraldo; it's an epic journey which is built around a stunning bass-line. The band hold back everything before the song gently builds up into a crashing crescendo of pure unadulterated Rok! Similarly Headlong starts off as a tender declaration of love before exploding into a wave of crashing guitars and forceful violin.

The mashed up Americana folksiness, Dirty Three-esque lamenting violin, and occasional moments of early Flaming Lips style weirdness (Early Bird) combine to produce an elegant and sophisticated, diverse, and more importantly, heartfelt, sincere, honest and touching record. The new songs they have been playing lately at gigs have become old favourites to fans by now, and they sound even better here, with not a hint of overproduction hindering them, just enough delicate touches to create a wonderfully intense atmosphere; the perfect complement to a collection of the best songs ever written.