You can't accuse Powers of resting on his laurels--although it's at the expense of some of that first record's unique character. [Jul 2015, p.91]

Johnson considers the world's woes with gentle reflection rather than recrimnation, along the way hoping to illuminate his son's path to finding his own truth. [July 2010]

Hectically enjoyable LP. [Oct 2020, p.87]

Better records lie in their future, doubtless, but this is a very promising, very charming glimmer. [May 2004, p.104]

11 songs thematically linked by a search for realty in an increasingly virtual world. [Sep 2018, p.90]

As ever, Lanegan's voice is solemn and affecting, emphasising the melancholic sentiments of the material. [Oct 2013, p.91]

There's even more of a streamlined feeling to Seeds.... but there's precious little which surprises. [Dec 2014, p.93]

While the key of Random Desire is mostly subterranean, when the serpentine build of The Tide breaks, the impact is undeniably soulful and powerful. [Mar 2020, p.88]

Defiant and cathartic. [Dec 2014, p.90]

He and his bandmates have grasped the flaming torch of '70s hard-rock pomp - but how to make it their own? [May 2021, p.82]

Miranda's unwieldy new album comes across as showcasing unreconciled viewpoints. [Apr 2018, p.94]

There's no leap forwards here but Still On My mind is the sound of a woman playing to her strengths and the good ship Dido remains reassuringly unsinkable. [Apr 2019, p.92]

This sort of works, but clearly their obsession lies with the lyrics. [Sep 2008, p.106]

Chic, soulful, but more boom and swoon than hooks. [Feb 2015, p.96]

It starts in fine fashion. ... Tellier's Auto-Tuned croon is unrelenting, and by the album's mid-point we're approaching the realms of self-parody. [May 2020, p.89]

Smooth soul or hip hop tropes being largely the order of the day here. [Jul 2016, p.95]

That confiding voice retains its hushed intimacy throughout but there's a lack of the soaring melodies that distinguish her recent collaborations with Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart. [Aug 2025, p.76]

Laurie is best on standards such as St James Infirmary and Buddy Bolden's Blues, playing piano on them with strength and sensitivity. [Jun 2011, p.104]

Entertaining, at the very least. [Aug 2016, p.93]

Lashes panoramic drum'n'bass rollers (Living In Recycled Times) to pulsing deep house (The Beginning Of The End) and amniotic ambient (Prism). [Jun 2023, p.95]

For the most part this pensive, intriguingly restrained album marks a welcome, if overdue, return. [Oct 2013, p.91]

Emotion & Commotion embraces tunes so big you'd think no more could be wrung into them. [May 2010, p. 93]

She sings the bejesus out of these big, open-hearted tunes, and despite some lyrics having a slightly gauche quality, you soon warm to the melodramatic hooks of Agony and the cleverly constructed pop-soul nugget Beauty Of The End. [Jun 2012, p.82]

It doesn't all gel, but the hits-to-duds ratio is high. [Jan 2015, p.94]

Hugely enjoyable, with nagging tunes too, but let's move forward next time. [Mar 2009, p.106]

Songs of promise, resilience and the occasional unpredictable turn. [Jul 2018, p.98]

While T.I.'s measured, discursive rap style is heard at its best on scourging confessional duets with Eminem and, of all people, Christina Aguilera on the genuinely touching Castle Walls, Further promising collaborations with Kanye West, Pharrell and Drake end up having a rather more formulaic ring to them. [Apr 2011, p.97]

His socially conscious lyrics can be clunky but never overwhelm the light, acoustic setting. [Oct 2017, p.98]