Musically, Sky Full Of Holes is simply gorgeous. [Sep 2011, p.112]

At 17 songs, Manipulator is a psychedelic handful of kaleidoscopic visions for the post-Kurt Cobain world. [Sep 2014, p.110]

Slaves pull no punches with social and political commentary. But Take Control is also diverse and boasts sly British humor. [Nov 2016, p.90]

Gira spins riveting yarns like a charismatic neighborhood storyteller. [Jun 2005, p.164]

The band sound bigger and and more self-assured than ever. [Jun 2006, p.190]

LP3 hits life-affirming pinnacles upon its insistent yowls. [Nov 2014, p.98]

During the course of 10 catchy, snappy, lo-fi pop-punk songs, an incredibly personal, heartfelt narrative unfolds, full of ups and downs. [Oct 2010, p.120]

The band focuses on their strengths while proving they're still evolving and moving forward. [Oct 2010, p.114]

The Australian five-piece dismiss any notion of a sophomore slump. [Jul 2012, p.100]

It's still hard to believe that a punk band formed more than 20 years ago are capable of releasing a new album that's both vital and worthy of the promise of their early material.... With Dizzy Spells, the quintet may have topped it all. [#155, p.83]

Transit Blues marks both Prada's sixth full-length album and an impressive step forward. [Nov 2016, p.87]

Epic-sounding and true to that signature AFI sound, AFI (The Blood Album) will be a record that stands out for hardcore fans, while picking up some new ones along the way. [Feb 2017, p.78]

Their last release, Meanderthal, was one of the finest records of 2008, and the eight-track Songs For Singles makes a glorious follow-up. [Oct 2010, p.116]

Where a lot of new bands drop the ball is not quite capturing the state of bliss that made so many of those hippue classics what they were. But that's not a problem on The Ruminant Band. [Sep 2009, p.104]

With a decided mature edge over the Canadian twins [Tegan And Sara], vocalist/guitarist Kate Cooper and drummer/vocalist Damon Cox have reached their first pinnacle on their second album. [June 2011, p.106]

The isolation that came from recording in a remote cabin in the woods of upstate New York is palpable, and the sly inclusion of cello and viola upstage the requisite tambourines, handclapss and acoustic guitar. [May 2010, p.108]

A pop pin cushion that's incurably catchy, and as prickly as it is pretty. [Jun 2003, p.97]

This disc is actually a better recap of the Yo team's past than last year's triple-disc best-of collection. [Nov 2006, p.190]

His band match his pain note-for-note for a brutal but rewarding listen. [Dec 2011, p.119]

Dianogah's hypnotic grooves and continuous dynamic shifts make Millions of Brazilians ideal background music for hipster housecleaning. [July 2002, p.78]

This album's fucking great, like a sharp stick in the eye. [Sep 2002, p.81]

Even though the delineation among colors at times seems a bit arbitrary and difficult to differentiate, The Color Spectrum stands up surprisingly well as a companion disc. [Jul 2011, p.111]

A scattershot bagful of wild rides and demented ditties and an album of maniacal depth and vision. [#146, p.86]

Damon Atkinson's drumming is phenomenal as always, and Broach's new, crooning vocal style is an exciting first for the band. If this s what aging gracefully sounds like we back it. [Sep 2011, p.110]

It's a shame it's a one-off, because Dark Night's trippy, psychedelic tunes are a true treat for your ears. [Aug 2010, p.146]

Psychedelic experimentalists Yeasayer add more beats than last time, but nothing that overpowers Khan's out-there mindset, stunning vocals and obvious talents. [May 2009, p.114]

How about just plain old "unbelievably goddamn gorgeous?"

The Century of Self finds the pride of Austin, Texas, continuing to push baroque prog-rock to orchestral new heights. [Mar 2008, p.112]