Darnielle still ties this album up under a loose theme, but it is a bold, Cinemascope-like vision of social and religious outcasts. [Nov 2012, p.92]

Although ever so slightly more modern in feel than his critically adored 1998 self-titled debut, Poses is still built upon Wainwright's mastery of highly composed, early-20th-century popular-song styles. [July 2001, p.86]

Loaded with lilting melodies, powerfully introspective lyrics, swelling harmonies and an orchestral quality whose timelessness transcends trends. [Jul 2003, p.121]

It is the best parts of a bar brawl, a naked Twister party and a street race in one cumulative package. [Sep 2004, p.117]

The highs are higher, the lows are lower and what resonates in the middle is a frontrunner for one of the best summer-transitions-into-fall records that you'll hear in a long, long time. [Nov 2012, p.94]

On The Fountain, the Liverpool, England, legends shake off the sluggish tempos of their recent albums in favor of brisk, vibrant pop songs. [Jan 2010, p. 94]

On their fierce third album, METZ have ratcheted their cacophony up high enough and still have it be considered rock music. [Oct 2017, p.81]

An impressive and diverse follow-up to an already-impressive debut.

Exposing her honest and disarmed self more than ever, Neko proceeds to open old wounds.

He's rarely assembled a stronger collection of songs. [May 2010, p.102]

Largely standard Luna fare: smooth, loungey, literate alt-pop with quirky yet instantly moving melodies. [Apr 2002, p.79]

Parallax II may be the strongest 72 consecutive minutes they have put together so far. [Nov 2012, p.86]

The end result escalates The Lucky Ones into one of the finest albums Mudhoney has ever produced, as well as one of the best albums of the year thus far. [July 2008, p.158]

If Good News... isn't the pillar-like masterpiece Modest Mouse fans have waited years for, it's proof that things haven't completely fallen apart. [May 2004, p.92]

What... is immediately evident is the extent to which McKay has grown as a musician. [Feb 2006, p.130]

It's still familiar emotional portraiture, but these scenes often appear through a high-powered telescope instead of a magnifying glass. [Jun 2014, p.106]

As a listener it’s a thrill to experience the album’s myriad twists and turns. Although it’s almost ominously dense in terms of the sheer amount of notes played, Rescue & Restore’s 11 tracks still seem to blaze by without becoming repetitive.

'Slow Race' is an example of how, while moody, their soundscapes still rock and--unlike many of their pensive prog-oriented peers--feel more like songs than dissertations. [Mar 2008, p.140]

All that keeps Zoo from being a perfect record is the nagging feeling that Ceremony has even better work ahead. [Apr 2012, p.90]

Underneath The Owl is unquestionably the best album of the Gamblers' career thus far. [Apr 2009, p.132]

Although former member Franz Nicolay's piano parts are missed, the Hold Steady have still managed to craft a great record for a barbecue on a hot summer day--and for the hangover the next morning. [Jun 2010, p.105]

If bastard of ceremonies Nic Offer would shut his piehole, Louden Up Now! would improve 50 percent. [Aug 2004, p.106]

The music on The Indian Tower is relentless. [Mar 2006, p.130]

Floyd kick the shit out of 99 percent of the current post-rock crop, so you can't fault CBP for clinging to Picasso's claim that "Good artists copy; great artists steal." [Jun 2009, p.104]

This album isn't going to change the way you think about metal, but Killswitch Engange aren't Mastodon; they just want to get the pit going, and this album will surely acomplish that. [Aug 2009, p.108]

The cumulative effect is a widescreen collection that seems destined to win a broader audience for the duo without sacrificing the intimate I-feel-you-fucked-up-life atmosphere of their best work. [May 2008, p.144]

Throw in lowered expectations and a few fine fellows, and Surfing becomes genuinely fun and ebullient effort, a toss-off that neither toss nor off. [Feb 2009, p.103]