Bad-boy rapper fails to raise his, er, game. There is something peculiarly insecure about The Game (AKA Jayceon Terrell Taylor).

The best you can offer is that it’s not a disaster – now do you want to tell Billy or should I?

The end result doesn’t vary that much from his usual dense, dark, cinematic ramblings but it’s good to see he’s keeping busy.

It’s just too ‘nice’.

Franz Ferdinand attempt to put some dub in the music and end up with (re)mixed results.

Quietly bucking the trend are The Shortwave Set, whose follow-up to 2005’s The Debt Collection confounds convention by actually being pretty good.

A few decent songs can't outshine this record's over-produced stadium rock. The Las Vegas rockers' latest just doesn't have the same sparkle.

Despite the big name producer and big time contributors, Gray has somehow achieved the not insignificant feat of delivering an altogether average record.

Although there are numerous pointers as to what might have been, had Mary retained greater creative focus, there is precious little to savour here.

Certain artists are blessed with the ability to say something poignant and meaningful with their music. On the evidence of this eopnymous record, Gavin DeGraw is not one of them.

A definite sense of fun permeates Conor Oberst, with the singer allowing himself to indulge a few whimsical idea's.

Katy Perry's second album offers minimal creativity or originality, but there are several likeable tracks--despite their turgid, juvenile and bordering-on-offensive lyrical content.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love. Instead we get a new Korn album. Oh well.

Pop and R&B backroom boy steps into the spotlight.

Veteran hip hop soul princess Erykah Badu's newest creative contribution is ambitious, but lacks the smoothness and cohesive feel of her previous work.

There’s still something oddly admirable about Alice In Chains’ stubborn refusal to change.

An edgy rock album, reminiscent of Razorlight’s great debut, had been promised but is nowhere to be heard.

Ringo solo album... Come back! It’s not that bad!

Deerhunter's latest features more pop melodies and fuzzy soundscapes, forsaking the raw, intense sound we all love.

Sleek but insubstantial fourth outing from R&B songstress.

Emo pin-ups milk last moments of glory

Pleasant young fellows cause record reviewer to suffer acute fit of niceness.

If not entirely out of gas, Green certainly seems to be having trouble shifting gear.

The freeform mish-mash of sounds, scratches, samples, styles and lyrical themes is far too much of a mixed bag to have a wide appeal.

Despite their reputation as torch-bearers of the new post-rock prog, it lacks the outrageousness of the ‘70s version of the genre and there’s an earnest sameness to these pieces that render much of it tedious beyond belief.

Former Cranberries woman gives us too much of a good thing.

New York dreampop combo meander a bit.

Despite boasting another stellar line-up of guest vocalists, James Lavelle’s dance-rock project once again fails to convince.