It peaks on 'Coffee,' a wonderfully weird, ska-tinged duet with the Mountain Goats' John Darnielle that flat out rocks. [Oct 2007, p.170]

The band manage to still sound vital and fresh.

The anthems still have Morrissey and Marr in their DNA, but they pout more than they roar. [Sep 2014, p.108]

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

Much more songwriter-based than [his] early discs. [Sep 2006, p.230]

Close the Distance is an album that does not only further separate Lancaster from his past--it also widens the gap between Go Radio and their peers. [Oct 2012, p.83]

Phantogram's electronics and electric guitar alchemy has simultaneously become more infectious and complex than ever before. [Mar 2014, p.93]

Exister serves as a reminder that the thousands of bands aping this style of punk will never be as great as Hot Water Music.

Like vintage B&S, this Glasgow group's sound ranges from full-blown orchestration to tunes on which a lot of musicians make very little noise. [Mar 2004, p.94]

These are songs worth letting your guard down for. [Aug 2013, p.94]

Their continued filtering of '50s girl-group melodies through swelling pop songs that crib equally from the noise/indie/dream spheres captivates in newly charming ways. [Oct 2012, p.88]

Vetiver have previously been a little too left-of-center for any huge acclaim, but with Tight Knit, expect the blogosphere to light up. [mar 2009, p.107]

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

It may take a few spins to fully appreciate French Kicks' nuances, but those who give them time will be greatly rewarded. [Jul 2002, p.81]

This collection is a tad less playful but no less catchy. [Feb 2014, p.91]

Whether you're a fan of Pinback or Goblin Cock, you can probably find something worth listening to on Living Well. [Mar 2007, p.135]

As expected, frontman/programmer Rou Reynolds remains urgent and vulnerable. [Oct 2017, p.81]

The first five tracks just feel like the opening act for the stripped-down, twangy acoustic trilogy that closes out the album. [May 2005, p.172]

For Matchbook Romance, Voices is adventurous. [Mar 2006, p.122]

The mood can at times feel oppressive, but is always rescued by either a devilishly great synth hook or Puciato's baleful vocals and heated lyrics. [Mar 2016, p.102]

For new fans, We Disappear is a solid entry point into the Thermals' world; for longtime fans, the new, calmer side of the band emerging is fresh, but still packed with the same spirit and punch that has endured for a decade-and-a-half. [Apr 2016, p.100]

Indictments abound on The People Or The Gun, Anti-Flag's seventh full-length that proves Pittsburgh's politically aware punks haven't lost their bite nor bark. [Jul 2009, p.122]

While on the surface its 12 tracks might seem less visceral than some of his previous work, they’re actually an incredibly powerful, important and thought-provoking glimpse of both his life and mind—and the state of the world at large.

Ladyfinger (ne)'s second disc finds a sweet spot within the jagged, mathematical riffs to hide wellsprings of melody and harmony. [Apr 2009, p.132]

Full of power and their trademark delicate storytelling, Shipping News' latest is their greatest. [Dec 2010, p.116]

Black Hours [is] loaded with familiar falsetto swoops, cutting middle range and observation mixed with self-reflection. [Jul 2014, p.98]

While Mogwai once seemed too ambitious for their own good, Mr. Beast perfectly distills the essence of the band's raison d'etre. [Apr 2006, p.214]

What keeps these 10 songs honest is the audible influence of another genre: shoegaze. [Mar 2014, p.92]