In every sense, committed rock'n'roll. [Jul 2005, p.105]

Mostly, it works. [Aug 2005, p.102]

No duffers here, never a dull moment, satisfaction guaranteed. [Jul 2005, p.100]

An intriguing labyrinth of idiosyncrasies. [Jun 2005, p.110]

Richly textured percussion, thrumming nylon-string guitars, discreet electronics and sundry guest vocalists. [Jul 2005, p.105]

There's little real sense of progression here... and at times New Order sound dreary and ordinary. [May 2005, p.96]

It isn't until the latter half of the album... that they find their own voice, and one that delivers deliciously sugary powerpop. [Aug 2005, p.102]

A DIY epic whose brief sorties into often spellbinding instrumental territory are pitstops in which to muse upon profound, touching or witty lyrics. [May 2005, p.95]

[A] consistently crafted and stimulating set. [Jun 2005, p.100]

[An] alarming intimacy is the bedrock of Devils & Dust. [Jun 2005, p.92]

Not exactly a comfortable listen, but Darnielle's candour can't be faulted. [Jun 2005, p.109]

Smith's best, most satisfying album to date. [Mar 2005, p.106]

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

An album of abundant, aberrant fun. [May 2005, p.102]

Evokes a sense that this has all been done before, and better.

Backed by an ace band... he's back in familiar territory. [May 2005, p.109]

Garishly attractive. [Oct 2005, p.98]

They come across as a self-contained, insular studio band, with tunes aching to break free of the driving wall of guitars. [May 2005, p.96]

[A] dazzling selection of pop songs. [Aug 2005, p.96]

This is special, many-layered stuff. [May 2005, p.108]

Walks the same Cold War-era Bowery streets as Interpol but is not more than a half step away from lysergic brilliance. [May 2005, p.108]

The album... is one of such remarkable beauty. [Oct 2004, p.96]

Less chaotic and parochial, more serene and accessible, but no less magical. [May 2005, p.96]

While [it] lacks the glitterball dazzle of Emerge, its many-coloured moods result in bankable Moroder moments, baroque ballads, and an ECG-blowing cover of Boredoms' O.

There are so many tricks twirling for your attention that the effect is a little like wearing all your clothes at once. [Jun 2005, p.100]

There's not a single weak link on this excellent record. [Aug 2005, p.100]

Their most primitive, intimate and vocally oriented [album] yet. [May 2005, p.108]

Imagine a 'luded-out Eagles fronted by a dying hillbilly and you'll only be mildly disappointed. [Jun 2005, p.105]