Thankfully it finds Richter exploring other directions. [Sep 2010, p.94]

While Heart-Shaped Scars might not be the first flowering of such wistful folk mysteries, it still brings in a good harvest. [Sep 2021, p.80]

Every Valley is timely and useful. [Aug 2017, p.89]

In the main, conjure strange, eerie atmospheres filled with ghostly spirits like those inhabiting the recordings of Del Shannon and Joe Meek. [Oct 2021, p.95]

It doesn't always land, but the DJ Shadow-esque glitch-hop of Peak Again- with Low's Alan Sparhawk on vocals - reflect James's desire to conquer new territories. [Jun 2026, p.93]

They deliver breathless, urgent rifferama, elements of which can be traced to RATM, The Stooges and Placebo.

An extraordinary 80-minute concept album. [Oct 2020, p.91]

It mostly works but can be breathless. [Dec 2020, p.82]

Budget-price corporations such as Lidl and Ryanair take a mauling, amid a sonic barrage which occasionally coalesces into pleasing punk-funk but mostly glories in making lap-steel sound like a cement mixer. [Nov 2022, p.92]

Darnielle is a lyrical genius, for sure, but... you're left wishing for a song, just one song, that doesn't sound like a man strumming or plucking that damned folky guitar. [Mar 2004, p.96]

Gist Is feels like an urgent conversation,a record driven by compulsion; fortunately, tuning in to its internal dialogue is a pleasure. [Sep 2014, p.93]

Red Barked Tree compares favorably with the very best of the definitive Wire. [Feb. 2011, p. 98]

Every so often an album comes along that's so original it's difficult to accurately liken it to anything else--even Efterklang's last album, "Tripper," is left behind by Parades. [Nov 2007, p.106]

Producer Joe Henry complements Toussaint with respectful production and respected guests including Charles Lloyd, Van Dyke Parks and the thrilling trilling of Rhiannon Giddens. [Jul 2016, p.94]

She indulges her mystical side to mesmerising effect. [Dec 2005, p.100]

It ranks right up there with 2010's exquisite Black Sands. [Feb 2017, p.98]

Hypnotic Eye mostly returns to their earliest days of razor-edged guitars and garage rock.... The listless You Get Me High and Burnt Out Town's clunky blues may let the side down, but it feels good to finally have the real Heartbreakers back. [Aug 2014, p.94]

[An album that] makes you wonder where they will travel next. [Nov 2011, p.101]

The key problem lies in the album's occasional sense of underachieving drift. [Aug 2001, p.104]

Its songs hurtle at Buzzcocks pace and fizz with nagging melodies. [Jun 2003, p.110]

Brings to mind the MC5, the Stones and Otis Redding. [Jun 2003, p.113]

Half of Release feels like an old routine -- looming melancholy and not-quite-cheery disco by the pound. [Apr 2002, p.108]

As eloquent an emotional discourse as [Gedge] has mustered. [Mar 2005, p.101]

This is their best album in 65 years. [May 2005, p.94]

Crowell employs his gift for setting complex ideas to twangy hooks. [Oct 2005, p.101]

A big-tableau statement that combines his musical and ideological passions. [May 2007, p.106]

Joni Mitchell delivers a counter-intuitive, brilliant artistic response. [Oct 2007, p.90]

North Star Deserter is unrestrained and always affecting. [Nov 2007, p.106]