Donkey is about what one might expect from the group for a second album. Those who liked their rough edges the first time around might find themselves a bit disappointed by the new sheen, but they'll likely gain more fans they they lose.

The quiet/loud, quiet/loud thing has been going on for a long time now, and while Mono has things in common with everyone from Mogwai to the aforementioned groups, they're definitely one of the better bands I've heard doing this in a while.

Interestingly enough, the group manages to pull most of it off, but not without some stops into new-age and downright silly territory.

It's not that I have anything against the group doing something more poppy, it's just that the result sounds far too polished and plain boring compared to their regular work.

A document only for the hardcore fans.

They definitely have some hummable hooks, and at moments the album feels like it's going to shake off the reigns of running the middle-ground, but just about the time you think things are going to bust loose like a rocking Monk and Cantella track, they swerve back into more agreeable sounds.

In the grand scheme of Orb albums, it lands as slightly better than their last effort Cydonia, but not nearly as good as classics like Orbus Terrarum.

The 11 tracks on Hopes And Fears have an almost complete lack of soul and even distinction between one another.

Floating somewhere in between his previous release under the Dntel name and The Postal Service, Dumb Luck will likely slightly frustrate fans of each a little bit, but in other places provide some nice payoff.

It's not always hitting the mark, but over the course of eleven tracks and just under forty minutes, XX Teens certainly show they have some chops to keep an eye on.

For fans who are obsessed with seeking out everything Animal Collective, Black Dice, and experimental noise related, it's a fine bet, but for others this is going to rub the wrong way, which I suppose is part of the point.

There are still some fine moments here, but there's more chaff than usual.

If I want to hear something where a load of people are having a blast and making a racket by smashing styles together and singing silly songs, I'm gonna reach for The Go! Team. They're probably just as irreverent, but they're not nearly as annoying.

The jumps aren't so dramatic that it feels completely disjointed, as the whole release (as with releases in the past by the group) has an overall introspective and rather dark and moody feel.

Whether they're toying with different sounds that have been explored by other groups or pulling out the stops on tracks like "Air Methods," they've still managed to create an interesting batch of tracks.

Dangerous Dreams is just such a mixed-bag of goods that it's hard to feel much about it other than a couple of standouts.

The Snare works well at moments and at other times feels like a rather tepid trip-hop release from a band still developing their sound.

It's a little cheesier than the average trance album, but will probably appeal to some of those who enjoy Paul Van Dyk or even ATB