Recorded before Rea became the superstar that he once was, Deltics relies more on basic rock riffs than his later work. By turn this is both extremely tuneful and effective but also at times ordinary and mundane. It does have a certain charm, however.

Every Rea album seems to have at least one glorious ballad and to me "Raincoat and a Rose" is one of the most poignant and beautiful songs he has ever written. I still remember hearing him play it live, seated at a piano at Derby Assembly Rooms when he was virtually unknown and supporting Lindisfarne.

Overall Deltics is rather bitty but there are several hints of a growing songwriting talent and the impressive and lavish guitar work which was to play a part in later albums such as Road to Hell and Auberge.