There is something inherently irritating about Jamie Cullum. Whether it is his hyperactive style of performing that rips off Jerry Lee Lewis and Elton John or the fact that he only looks about 13 years old when he's actually 25, or the fact that he's so damn popular with the kind of audience who are just SO uncool, there is just something annoying there. Even more irritating is that Catching Tales has a rubbish title but the music contained within is really very impressive.

Opening song and lead single Get Your Way, produced by Dan The Automator, is a slightly brave choice for both as it sounds like ten different songs all being played at the same time and is a bit of a mess.

You have to admire him - begrudgingly - for doing something different, but it's a bit of a relief that it is only slightly half-hearted, as is his use of the words 'prick' and 'twat' on Nothing I Do. It would have been interesting to hear his collaboration with Pharrell Williams on Wifey, but that was left off, perhaps wisely.

After all, it wouldn't do to annoy the legions of grannies who will flock to buy this, probably alongside the new Katie Melua album. However, that's not to say that Cullum hasn't taken a few left-turns here, although his excellent cover of Doves' Catch The Sun is hardly revolutionary after having given the same treatment to Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and Jimi Hendrix on his two previous albums.

There are also the usual covers of classic tunes, most notably I Only Have Eyes For You, which he gives a slight psychedelic sheen as well as wrapping his infuriatingly warm and mature voice around it perfectly. His self-penned tracks are also impressive, particularly the collaboration with Ed Harcourt, Back To The Ground, as well as Oh God, written with Guy Chambers.

So, Jamie Cullum has come up with yet another stunning collection of pop jazz and once again, we have to begrudgingly applaud as he takes to the stage and leaps all over the piano like a small child who has been given too much caffeine. At least we can allow ourselves a small smile in appreciation of what a great musician he is and how much better he will no doubt become as he grows into his prime. Just don't let anyone see you...