Her writing can be exceptional.

The music's full of warmly engaging jangliness throughout, even if some of the 19 tracks tend to blend together.

"Wonder" isn't as immediately accessible as any New Pornographers album, which may turn off some fans looking for another set of sugar-coated rock. Nevertheless, these compositions also demonstrate Newman's immense talent, which ensures any monotonous patches on the album are quickly redeemed by far more interesting sonic departures.

A one-two punch of radio-ready, rock-tinged riffs and Lavigne's signature defiant yet introspective vocals.

A respectable effort.

So, yeah, the New Year sounds an awful lot like Bedhead, but who can really complain?

While more musically complex than previous set "Under Rug Swept," "Chaos" has less experimentation and fewer vocal intricacies.

Winsome and striking.

RJ's solo work transcends hip-hop boundaries, and at its peak moments, is better described as much closer to soul.

Primarily lackluster.

Beautifully spacey and searingly brash all at once.

The British answer to Fountains of Wayne.

At times, the misery borders on cliché, but luckily, "Quarry" sports some of Morrissey's most direct vignettes in years.

Finds Merritt and his longtime backing band moving away from pop formalism, slightly toning down the cabaret affectations and focusing a little more on the melodies and hooks rather than the genre-hopping arrangements.

The alluring texture of every track on "Tres Cosas" makes it a winner.

Shockingly, "ONoffON" is almost on par with that landmark ['Vs.'], clearly the product of the same band operating at top form.

Immediately alluring without sacrificing eclecticism.

Smith's vision is as rapturous as ever, and it receives its most focused, impassioned treatment here.

Key to the success of the disc is Krall's stretch on the keys, making this her strongest jazz outing.

A disc of graceful beauty.

The final product exceeds the hype.

While this album does not break new ground, it focuses on a fun and playful Prince whose turn of phrase and instrumental dexterity call to mind why we embraced him in the first place--and still do.

"Underneath" spotlights a more mature, melodic pop-rock Hanson.

[He] truly shines.

The kind of record from which careers are made.

Although the album doesn't knock the ball out of the park on first listen, ultimately it reveals just enough cool ideas to keep things interesting.

A mostly solid collection of quirky dance pop and cryptic rock.

Here's a group at the top of its game.