In this debut, Lou Reed and "Gallows Pole"-era Led Zeppelin mix with Fraiture's honest storytelling and obvious familiarity with a good hook, thus ensuring that while these tracks won't be slam dunks, they will hold up against detailed scrutiny. [Holiday 2008, p.94]

Blackout Beach songs ultimately tremble in the sun of lyrical exactitude--abstractions are their safe house after raking flight. [Holiday 2008, p.92]

There are hits and misses as the slower ones take a little longer to catch on, but when the arena-rock sized riffs meet Pollard's mid-fi production, there really isn't anything else you can ask for. [Holiday 2008, p.92]

Produced by Erol Alkan, the album's solid. And the band stands a good chance of riding out the vapid waves of its trendy contempories. [Holiday 2008, p.102]

Even though songs 'He's Frank' and 'Toe Jam' are tremendous achievements, I Think falters too often in mediocrity, and fails to show promise of becoming as classic as it was meant to be. [Winter 209, p.103]

It's both disjointed and jarring, but it's unlike anything the Chicago legend has done before. Drop your booty if you enjoy such things. If not, try and appreciate those who do. [Holiday 2008, p.91]

Somewhat less emotive than its well received junior, A Cross The Universe jaunts through the subgenre that it is actively creating with each flippant mesh of damn near everything through almost all of its 18 tracks. [Holiday 2008, p.100]

The second disc of this deluxe edition makes Brighten The Corners's faults more difficult to accept as hard truths. [Holiday 2008, p.98]

If you generally like Byrne's music, you will unquestionably enjoy this record. If you've come looking for revolution, I'd recommend a time machine. [Holiday 2008, p.100]

Electric Arguments makes a gravity defying leap from his supine position atop past laurels with an album showcasing incredibly raw rock, complimented by totally-not-cheesy electronic production. [Holiday 2008, p.98]

With Day & Age, it would appear The Killers have figured out the music they want to create. [Holiday 2008, p.91]

Though this may be considered a good album due to its proper rock anthems and memorable melodies, the style goes awry one too many times for the disc to be considered novel. [Holiday 2008, p.92]

The album serves as an excellent chart of the band's evolution. [Holiday 2008, p.91]

They've got the chemistry, but it seems that Campbell sold herself short when singing parts were drawn. [Holiday 2008, p.94]

Not limiting their lyrical or instrumental content, the songs never feel ostentatious or forced. [Holiday 2008, p.106]

I must say, raw musical elements aside, as a songwriter his storytelling ability alone wins the day. [Holiday 2008, p.106]

The band's third self-titled album deviates not an inch from the brutal style that's served them well since 2002. [Holiday 2008, p.92]

Like Animal Collective, though, this is a challeging and often times terrifying music for those who don't yet speak the language. Trying Hartz, which collects tracks from each Danielson-related release up to 2004's "Brother Is To Son," works like a language lab for those who want to walk around in Smith's cities. [Holiday 2008, p.98]

This debut could've, should've and would've been more appropriate as a moody summer release for trips with the car windows down, but instead we're forced to keep 'em up as winter nags at our sleeves. [Holiday 2008, p.100]

Microcastle shows Deerhunter [sic] progresing with reason, creating one of their best releases yet. [Fall 2008, p.92]

While the album-opener 'Aerial' and 'Weekend' are still easy on the ears, it's the all-too-short 'CMS Sequence' and 'Mirrors' that whet our appetite for the band's experimental side, which is achingly absent here. [Fall 2008, p.94]

Toggling between scurrying, bleep-spangled instruments and alien FM pop, Gang Gang excels at confounding expectations. [Fall 2008, p.100]

When the lead is the guitar, the result is sometimes meandering but occasionally mind-blowing and never on the wrong side of good. Hand the lead to the vocals and bring on the yawns. [Fall 2008, p.97]

The 29-member jonkoping, Sweden, collective opts for a darker and altogether less interesting vernacular. [Fall 2008, p.92]

The Living And The Dead serves as the latest chapter in Holland's story, and here the lady troubadour continues with a writer's knack for making every next page better than the last. [Fall 2008, p.102]

There are sometimes a little too many knowing winks in all the escalator chords and wordless chants, but you can't help but wink back. [Fall 2008, p.98]

"Son" was a hushed wonder, full of digital loops, whispered lullabies and surround-sound chill. Its dizzying template has mutated nicely on Un Dia. [Fall 2008, p.97]

While Margot's musical aspirations are at times akin to the drama of Bright Eyes, Radiohead, Wilco and Arcade Fire, the lyrics of frontman Richard Edwards are its genuine definition. [Fall 2008, p.100]