This album finds them surrounded by squelching basslines, scattershott guitars and pop-eyed vocals, and it's brilliant.

Despite its lack of Pistols and Clash this is an accurate representation of the year punk broke, which wasn't quite as great as all those of us that were there like to pretend. [Aug 2019, p.88]

A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip is still a heartening example of a truly original and who continue to enjoy success on their own unique terms by refining and amplifying their youthful weirdness instead of mellowing with age. [Jul 2020, p.88]

It's an astonishing set. [May 2021, p.84]

In its second half, Crawler takes brave experimental swerves. [Jan 2022, p.82]

Among the out-takes, acoustic sketches, etc here, it's the a-capella versions of various tracks that touch the most, displays of harmonic unity in the midst of disharmony. [Dec 2022, p.83]

Bob Vylan have become the loudest, most vital voice of righteous rage in a beaten-down nation. [May 2024, p.78]

Three CDS of ace JA sides (Culture, Dillinger) and some plucky punky stabs at the genre (Clash, Ruts et al). [Aug 2024, p.83]

All told, a refreshing update of 90s guitar rock for a headier age. [Sep 2024, p.72]

They mix things up with restrained, pondering songs like the acoustic-driven Armchair View and the album's jaunty title track. [Nov 2024, p.73]

Sensitive and thoughtful doesn’t have to mean a lack of a good time. [Jan 2025, p.78]

Friar Tuck is a humorous and bewildered look at the modern world from a man who has never quite seemed a part of it. [Feb 2025, p.75]

A fitting coda for one of rock's great outsider voices. [Jan 2026, p.80]

Biley turns the controls a little more towards vintage soul on this eighth album. Her voice is still a formidable instrument. [Feb 2026, p.81]

This album is the high point of his career, and it could be one of the finest albums you'll hear this year too. [May 2024, p.76]

The Hives Forever Forever The Hives is vibrant, loud and sure to destroy dance floors worldwide. [Sep 2025, p.76]

Their rejuvenating effects make this the most rounded and melodic QOTSA album in a decade, a triumph snatched from the mortuary doors. [Summer 2013, p.88]

Lady Gaga adds majestic soul diva clout to Find Yourself, Nelson proves to be a sterling guitarist and the whole thing is hellacious, meaning good.

It’s not often anyone has the (albeit heartbreaking) luxury of being able to map out their own memorial, and Allman leaves us with his head held high and a record of rare beauty.

90 minutes of sensitive, surreal lyrics and wailing wig-outs which make J Mascis sound like Julian Bream. ... You'll enjoy it. [Feb 2019, p.90]

Cerebral and discomforting. [Aug 2020, p.89]

He elects to drag his material through the dirt, and the ramped layers of fuzz and distortion actually improves on the originals. [May 2024, p.75]

Proves that an evening sitting round Weller's record player would be an interesting one indeed. [Aug 2025, p.74]

yourprettyplaceisgoingtohell will melt you right into your couch, will jelly your brain. [May 2026, p.78]

As ever with the Maels, the relentless high-camp levity and heavily mannered, shrill, staccato delivery can sometimes jar on MAD! [Summer 2025, p.72]

The whole thing breathes fire. [Jun 2026, p.76]

Their second album sets its heart-on-sleeve emoting to some properly sweeping arena-sized tunes. [Mar 2025, p.75]

Rack is one of the most fascinating records you'll hear this year, and it's up there with their best. [Sep 2024, p.74]