The Bats astounding 1987 full-length debut Daddy's Highway is generally their most highly regarded, the perfect realization of their bittersweet, jangling alternative folk pop, haunting, thought-provoking, Germanic gothic imagery (reminiscent of the darker works of author Washington Irving) and shimmering, carefree harmonies. Most Bats fans will number this album as their favorite, and if anyone owns just one Bats CD it is usually this one. This is the band's most haunting record, with absolute gems of melodies dressed in Paul Kean's wobbly basslines, Alastair Galbraith's cascading viols, and echoing, barely shimmering guitars from which the lovely, carefree cross-harmonies of Robert Scott and Kaye Woodword emerge. The album begins delightfully with the vivacious, gleaming "Treason". The spright "Round and Down", the folkish "Take It" and the reeling bassline of "Daddy's Highway" are equally assertive, displaying the Bats' keen talent for energetic, quirky pop ditties. "Block of Wood", with its repetitive guitar ringing against the very hummable, sweet melody is beautiful while the drifting "Sir Queen" sweeps along subtly. The standout lullaby, however, is without a doubt "Tragedy", a bittersweet tale of love lost. 'You should see the letter I