Much of the material begs for memorable melodies, perhaps a bit of a rave-up or divergent musical moment would have helped. [Jun 2009, p.103]

All Amputechture does is test patience. [Oct 2006, p.200]

You either listen without prejudice or deem it the most pretentious, boring swill on the planet. [Dec 2007, p.176]

Idlewild undeniably sound like a once-great band helplessly slipping into their confusing middle years. [Sep 2005, p.164]

The 13 tracks here are improbably edgeless, all love-me-do/love-me-don't plaints that evaporate on impact. [Sep 2001, p.91]

What Worlds never does is cohere in any appreciable way, stomping all over its finer moments with another synth glitterbomb and burdensome bass drop. [Sep 2014, p.107]

There's very little here to grab the listener. [Nov 2007, p.162]

You'll probably get annoyed after about 30 seconds. [May 2005, p.138]

Ellipse is balanced but doesn't break ground. Fans of her past work will likely find little to quarrel with, but they won't be challenged, either. [Sep 2009, p.105]

While the album has occasional moments of brillance, most of these songs sound like underwhelming sketches instead of finished products. [Oct 2007, p.160]

This is isn't a terrible album, but considering the rest of their vibrant catalog, it just seems a bit stale. [Mar 2012, p.98]

When the twins harmonize, the results are sweeter than sugar-dipped honeysuckle. What they really need, though, is some fire in their bellies. [July 2008, p.151]

Lady Sovereign celebrates her freedom from Def Jam not by leading with the (middle) finger, but instead by showing her vulnerability....[But after the first three tracks,] the old Lady Sov returns. [May 2009, p.123]

The mild vulgarity and cute arrogance put to such an innocent melody [in "Fool Like Me"] is the brand of sass for which Cobra Starship are best known. Unfortunately, these traits are desperately lacking from the rest of Night Shades.

Shogun's assembly and architecture is devoid of the lively attack and emotional elan necessary to make this a true entry into the pantheon of heavy-metal long-players. [Nov 2008, p.158]

While it's enjoyable for what it is, you can't help but wonder where all the songs went when after an half-hour or so, you recall literally nothing. [Oct 2012, p.92]

The Life Pursuit is less confused than the three albums that precede it, but it's also just as forgettable. [Mar 2006, p.124]

Pure bubblegum, but with an often-faded flavor. [Apr 2012, p.98]

Fans will love it, but if you're not already on board, this album won't change your mind. [Oct 2007, p.169]

Often feels like the soundtrack for a party that's running short on ideas. [Oct 2004, p.132]

[A] slickly produced holding pattern. [Jul 2003, p.122]

Weak. [Sep 2004, p.140]

Where, say, Franz Ferdinand can fill dance floors with a jagged, arty sense of danger, the Bravery are more vanilla in their approach (read: They're Duran Duran). [May 2005, p.132]

Even Westerberg knows that he can do better. [Jan 2004, p.108]

Disappointingly forgettable. [Nov 2005, p.218]

Packed with earnest but impotent stadium rock. [Jul. 2002, p.82]

Easy like a Sunday morning, and just as dull. [May 2004, p.110]

The ladies aren't ready to carry an album by themselves. [Oct 2004, p.146]