Tall Firs are becoming a bit anthemic; stand up and salute. [Winter 2008, p.94]

I have no idea what's he's saying. I have absolutely no idea why the record is called Alopecia. But as I keep playing it, I really don't care. [Winter 2008, p. 100]

The result is not so much a breakthrough in ease of listening, but more a feeling that one of the greats is getting back in the ring to fight after tying one of his own arms behind his back. [Winter 2008, p.99]

The Norwegian DJ does a deft job of ambling between Italo, folk, disco, acoustic sounds and the odd sprinkling og old-school video game beeps here and there. [Winter 2008, p.100]

It's so extravagant, trecherous and cocksure that it could almost make Interpol sound like a pleasant chamber quartet. [Mar 2008, p.94]

Singer Aaron Beherns is gifted with the evocative falsetto wail of Freddie Mercury, but wastes it unnecessarily here with hurried urgency, producing words as quick as he can instead of savoring each and every note. [Winter 2008, p.92]

The seasoned professional executes discipline on a record that seems entirely natural--layered to the top, but never giving in to excess. [Winter 2008, p.92]

Dulli and Lanegan, two of today's greatest underappreciated frontmen, are hypnotic; narcotic. [Winter 2008, p.96]

The album is a suprisingly wonderful effort--perhaps even the duo's best in a decade. [Winter 2008, p.96]

Born Ruffians is just as rambunctious, not to mention far more likely to induce vehicular intercourse (or break your heart). [Winter 2008, p.92]

With Afterparty Babies, he proves he truly belongs on the other side of the speakers. [Winter 2008, p.105]

It sounds like the freak show has just rolled into town--better get your tickets quick, because this is one spectacle well worth the price of admission. [Winter 2008, p.103]

Despite the array of experiences and genres at White's disposal, the album retains cohesion due mostly to the consistency of White's voice, which is strictly country. [Winter 2008, p.98]

Like New Zealand itself, it must be experienced to be really understood. [Winter 2008, p.92]

While Shots never delivers on its promotional material's promise of ushering in an uninhibited Bacchanalis, it doesn't crash either. [Winter 2008, p.96]

Slide guitars and steel drums seduce the listener into a world of gentle pain, making for a sophomore album that is, like its predecessor, a beautiful collection of songs and images seemingly constructed upon repulsion and ennui.

Lust Lust Lust, the fuzzed-out, starry-eyed return-to-form by The Raveonettes, takes you there and then kicks you out at sunrise. [Winter 2008, p.94]

At times, it sounds downright lively, even as Eitzel paints a lyrically bleak outlook and focuses on character creation over self-examination. [Winter 2008, p.92]

While there's magic in Darnielle's always-blissful eye for detail--takes the kaleidoscopic, blood-red sun on 'San Bernadino'--far too often the album works up a head of steam only to wander into unflattering territory. [Winter 2008, p.95]

Think Damien Rice fronting Coldplay minus the unabashed bombast--and reveal a future of nothing but promise.

Throughout, there are pieces that defy the term "song" and exist more as sonic collages--intriguing bits of paste and mortar between tracks--providing ethereal contemplation and occasional abrasive interludes before returning to the more traditional song structure that is anything but traditional. [Winter 2008, p.100]

The only thing odd about this genuinely explosive record is in how fearlessly it expresses it's passion. [Winter 2008, p.94]

Dark isn't a huge departure from the previous record, and it doesn't mark some major step in Hot Chip's evolution either. But there's something to be said for holding your liquor, keeping momentum, and showing the world that this whole ride is as wicked-fun as you thought it would be. [Winter 2008, p.92]

For the most part, he sounds fresh-faced and ready to charge back into the fray.

Hynes poppy solo debut is packed with romantic up and downs and love-induced nausea, making for easy listen of well-produced, structurally sound guitar/piano folk. [Winter 2008, p.94]

Instead of eight people trying to make many noises as possible, this is the sound of a unified band trying to make the best noise possible. [Winter 2008, p.90]

It’s not bad--after all, the bands he works with are pretty good--it just might serve him well to forge his own path.

On their latest release since 2004's "Love and Distance," they seem to have figured out that it might be more effective to highlight the subtlety and grace of writing and arranging. [Winter 2008, p.96]