Personnel: James Banbury (cello).

Additional personnel: Alison Dodds, Fiona McCapra (violin); Anya Ullman (viola); Dani Castelar, Rob Whitaker, Jackie Wade, Edith Bowman, Jon Gray, Sam Bell (unknown instrument); Tom McFall, Anne Struther, Garret Lee (background vocals).

For their sophomore outing, AN END HAS A START, the U.K. indie-rock act Editors present another set of brooding, post-punk-inspired songs. While sonic similarities to Interpol remain undeniable, particularly in the dry vocal delivery of singer/guitarist Tom Smith, the Birmingham-based ensemble actually leans more towards the expansive sound of Bloc Party's second record, A WEEKEND IN THE CITY, here--not surprising since both albums share in-demand producer Jacknife Lee.

Given Lee's knack for pristine, guitar-heavy arrangements, Editors are able to cut loose with a grand aesthetic that is best embodied by the bold opening track, "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors," which takes cues from heralded shoegazer heroes Ride in its reverbed six-string squalls. Though Editors continue to wear their influences on their sleeves, Smith's earnest, if slightly detached, demeanor and the band's wire-tight tunes allow them to maintain their own identity.