They continue to exercise more craft i their work than newbies a third of their age. [Apr 2013, p.94]

The Home Inside My Head cements Real Friends' place as new-school pop punk's lead dogs. [Jun 2016, p.102]

When she and bandmates Sara Lund and Seth Lorinczi kick into distorted overdrive on searing tracks like "Pulling Pieces" and "Doubt," it only makes Tucker's return more welcome. [Nov 2010, p.116]

The reason Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down works here other "buzz band" albums don't is because theirs just feels natural--NATW aren't trying to buy into any trend. They're just writing great music. [Sep 2008, p.151]

Confident, unselfconsciously weird and always engaging, Welcome Oblivion is a strange world that will draw you back again and again. [Mar 2013, p.88]

Jamie Stewart lyrically references previous Xiu Xiu material, masterfully turning over the stories to find more nuances within. [Apr 2012, p.99]

The band seem determined to be the molten missing link between Black Sabbath and Black Mountain, making Himalayan a towering triumph. [May 2014, p.88]

With This Is Happening, Murphy remains far ahead of pretenders trying to steal his thunder. [Jun 2010, p.107]

The Humbucking Coil's captivating soundscapes evoke more emotion via machines than most bands can with "real" instruments. [Mar 2006, p.138]

As dark as Floral Green may be, the album is dazzling achievement, and a total game-changer for an entire genre. [Oct 2012, p.94]

While too many co-writers are often detrimental to an album, Red is pleasingly diverse-and more often stays true to the homespun, creative vibe of Frampton's previous releases.

The passion and power generated by Messrs Strummer, Jones, Simonon and Chimes make the proceedings feel like 10 minutes. [Nov 2008, p.170]

They occupy an ethereal wonderland of their own design on Teen Dream, a place where '80s soft rock mingles with slow-pop soliloquies, producing an oscillating, supernal bliss both sparkling and somber. [Feb 2010, p.92]

Geller's keyboard-fueled squiggles and quirky effects are effervescent but never cloying, thanks to the seriousness in Dykes' aloof, melancholy voice. [Oct 2001, p.84]

The disc Ryan Adams keeps threatening to make but never quite delivers. [Mar 2006, p.126]

Animals is a raucous and hugely entertaining effort that doubles as a virtual "Name That Tune" game. [Nov 2008, p.164]

Solid, creative, urgent albums like Coaster cement the fact that whenever someone gets around to opening a Punk Rock Hall Of Fame, NOFX should be in its inaugural clas. [Jun 2009, p97]

Represents the best of British pop music.... A lilting, suave and grandiose near-masterpiece. [Dec 2001, p.80]

Filled with the sort of unprofessional, unpretty noodling this genre has been begging for. [Feb 2003, p.68]

The Heart Is A Monster is not only a stark reminder of why the band have been so influential, but it also underscores their status as modern trailblazers. [Jul 2015, p.97]

His best release ever. [Apr 2007, p.190]

What keeps Bitchin' from being more fun than Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson's sex tape is Jay Ruston's production job. [Nov 2007, p.170]

Lovely and heartfelt, Wheel is an introspective delight. [May 2013m, p.90]

With stunning soloing by guitarists Mike Spreitzer and Jeff Kendrick further enlivening the proceedings, this is really is state-of-the-art metal designed to destroy everything unfortunate enough to be in its path. [March 2011, p.93]

Intimacy is arguably Bloc Party's finest moment thus far, offering sweat and circuitry, savagery and submission, and a captivating energy that's severely lacking in many music scenes on the planet. [Dec 2008, p.144]

It's rare for a band to channel the Velvet Underground, Nirvana, Dandy Warhols and the Beatles within the span of 45 minutes and sound unique, but the Vines have crept into that select category with Highly Evolved. [Aug 2002, p.86]

Open Season takes debonair glam flourishes--screaming strings, slow-building lounge-act dramatics--and contrasts them with edgy riffs and subtle hooks. [May 2005, p.172]

Farrar backs up his good intentions with an album's worth of strong material. [Apr 2013, p.90]