HEREFORD rockers Brandon Steep have gone back to nature with their latest record.

With songs named Hiding in the Undergrowth and Hills and Trees, it seems the five-piece have looked to the great outdoors for inspiration.

And the results of The Woodland Regiment - their new EP - would almost certainly please most indie music fans wanting to get away from it all on a day outside.

Hills and Trees is undoubtedly the strongest of the five songs. A happy and uplifting affair that starts slowly before building up into a record sounding like a mixture of the Magic Numbers and Belle and Sebastian.

In fact, the major gripe is that it is too short (less than three minutes) and leaves the listener wanting the merry xylophone-inspired loop to be given a few more spins.

Louisiana also makes you dream of long summer days with its catchy guitar riffs, soft vocals and soothing melodies.

Another colourful number is Quintessential, but the song, which tells the strange tale of a cringe-worthy posh girl wearing a straw hat, is let down by a rather monotonous chorus and a lack of strength in depth.

Order is soon restored, however, when the lads get back to talking about the outdoors on Hiding in the Undergrowth.

The final song is a dreamy rural affair that leaves you hoping these country boys can go on to make a success of it in the big city.

The CD is out now and available in Temple Records, Hereford and online at www.brandonsteep.co.uk and you can hear the band live tomorrow (Friday) when they will be part of the musical action in High Town in support of Children In Need.