They may have met by accident and only started collaborating for a bit of a laugh, but The Accidental prove some things are worth taking a risk on.  

Stephen Cracknell (The Memory Band) invites friends, old and new, around to his lounge to make this eerie, haunting folk record using acoustic guitars, electric drum beats and quirky string sections. It's wonderfully dark and intriguing - if not a little bizarre, ("I foolishly forgotten my conviction when I fell into that ocean full of rats.")

If they're not scaring you with stories of wolves, foxes or rats, they're charming you with love songs - of course, with a twist. Album highlight 'Time and Space' is an imaginary conversation with Cracknell's unborn niece: "Don't be afraid to stand your ground/when the time comes around."  Good advice. Good band. (Tim Hill)