A remarkable debut by a band full of raw energy. [25 Feb 2006]

[An] uneven set.

Davies' first solo studio collection has all the tasty ingredients that epitomized the Kinks--primarily Davies' knowing lyrics and world-weary vocals. [25 Feb 2006]

Overall, listeners will struggle to classify "Rubies," as much for Bejar's blurring of bluesy folk, pop and lo-fi indie rock as his unconventional delivery.

Man Man exhibits a varied flair for macabre theatrics that includes a veritable world's fair of chaos and creation.

The M's and their "Future Women" not only jog the memories of rock past, but are memorable in their own right.

Thanks to the stellar backup band, E's husky voice and sad stories become all the more desperately lovely. [25 Feb 2006]

An erratic mix of messy ambition and indifferent sloppiness that sounds like it's falling apart even before it really has a chance to get it together. [11 Feb 2006]

Exceptional technical ability, lyrical insight far beyond their years and unbridled exuberance merge into one of the most promising rock entrances since Radiohead's "Pablo Honey." [18 Feb 2006]

An intriguing change of pace. [18 Feb 2006]

The gem of this old school-flavored set is its low-key grooves that rely on thought-out storylines and not just sweet-talking jargon. [18 Feb 2006]

"The Life Pursuit" continues B&S' growth into more of a timeless pop act, its wry eye toward U.K. life refocused into tighter, swifter arrangements. [11 Feb 2006]

A lovely set of pop-flavored neo-folk. [11 Feb 2006]

A delicious blend of acoustic guitar, raw grooves and sublime melodies. [11 Feb 2006]

A good-time, classic rock feel permeates [the album]. [11 Feb 2006]

Though far from groundbreaking, "Destroy Rock & Roll" spotlights an artist who has a knack for cleverly referencing music that has come before. [11 Feb 2006]

A disjointed affair on first listen, "Security Screening" eventually reveals itself as the mirror image of main man Scott Herren's multiple musical personalities. [11 Feb 2006]

"Run the Road 2" does not live up to its crack predecessor, but that observation is neither a surprise nor a slam. [18 Feb 2006]

Train sounds refreshed and relaxed on "For Me, It's You." [4 Feb 2006]

The trio has fine-tuned its sound, making it more complex and compelling. [14 Jan 2006]

A song or two with a bit more oomph would have been nice. [28 Jan 2006]

There is an easy-listening elegance to his songs, but the album plays out like a soundtrack to sipping coffee. [28 Jan 2006]

She is grappling with issues of faith, but she is charmingly skeptical. [28 Jan 2006]

More often than not, Oldham's signature vocalizing keeps Tortoise from falling back on old sonic tricks. [21 Jan 2006]

"Compound Eye" is difficult as a complete listen but works well in smaller chunks. [28 Jan 2006]

The deafening dialectics often feel contrived, making Test Icicles sound like a fun "project," not a real band. [28 Jan 2006]

As personal as the album is, there is a universal quality to Cash's songwriting that will make listeners embrace the intimate feelings here as their own. [18 Feb 2006]

It is P.O.D.'s lyrics, which are stuck in adolescent neutral, that doom "Testify" to feeling like a relic. [28 Jan 2006]