Although his philosophical ponderings may not be that profound, his seize-the-day positivism and innate command of orchestral tension more than compensate. [Feb 2020, p.89]

[A] selection of sparingly produced wistfulness. [Jan 2013, p.95]

The music's one-dimensional emotional range is the Achilles heels of an otherwise gracefully dextrous affair. [Feb 2013, p.90]

The album is, however, still ramshackle and oddball where it counts. [Jun 2019, p.86]

Some may fine the ambient, tree-hugging Willow (Interlude) hard to stomach, however, and the lyrical flair that can elevate a debut album is sometimes lacking. [Apr 2014, p.91]

Constant Bop is even more eclectic [than White Denim's music]. [Jun 2015, p.87]

Often beautiful, though as the protagonist of a song fragment say, he could stand to Let Go A Little too. [Jun 2013, p.95]

The Road Part 1 is described by Lavelle himself as having "a foot in modern London"--a link that is at best tenuous. As a melting pot of disparate ideas, however, it's frequently gorgeous. [Sep 2017, p.87]

Lacks the hooks and memorable vocals... that formerly made this band so effective at marrying the pop and the underground. [Sep 2004, p.92]

At times feeling almost uncomfortably personal, i the main these indie-folk confessionals are kept just the right side of maudlin to make Barlow's exposed emotional workings a surprisingly engaging listen. [Oct 2015, p.96]

The LA quintet still sound like 16-year-old boys.... Musically, though, their slick soulful pop-R&B is far more refined. [Dec 2015, p.94]

On her fourth album, Melua does her damnedest to break out of her self-imposed schmaltz trap. [Jun 2010, p.94]

It's a meandering but heartfelt collection. [Jan 2014, p.97]

No. 4 is a warmer, more cohesive work than 2015's No. 3. [Jun 2018, p.93]

Highly polished, rootsy but gentle rocking with some big hooks, even if the quality wavers a little over 15 tracks. [Sep 2021, p.88]

Half existential joy'n'emptiness, half just empty. [Oct 2002, p.96]

The Birthday Party-esque clamour of Spit You Out further shows what Metz are capable of when they ease off the accelerator. [Jun 2015, p.87]

It delivers drama in spades. [Jun 2013, p.95]

With its Magic Fly synthetic hustle, single Fever pulses with the same reductive pop genius, but doubtless deterred by the laws of diminishing returns the Keys have eschewed ab blanket reiteration--with mixed results. [Jun 2014, p.91]

The tension between philosophical lyrics and the invitingly cosmic fractals generated by the band can hit awkwardly, but this is a striking new shoot. [Jun 2023, p.95]

An uneven and slightly uneasy listen. [Nov 2005, p.112]

Any suggestion of sameness is speedily erased by Alexandra Eastburn's arsenal of skewed electronic embellishments and the breathless exuberance the group bring to the party. [Jan 2016, p.88]

They have emerged with identity still intact, marrying melodic '60s songwriting to Doorsian melodrama and garage rock mentality. [sEP 2007, P.110]

With Keep Your Eyes Ahead Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel have pushed their fringes out of the way to display a new focus. [Mar 2008, p.112]

True, there are some facinating arrangements on songs written during a summer in Berlin. But those songs, bar the first and last track sound oddly wanting. [Sep 2008, p.108]

Synths sway like palm trees, grooves come sun-baked, and nifying message songs flow. [Jul 2020, p.88]

It's a fine entry point into Faust's lineage. [May 2009, p.104]

If Crack-Up falls short of perfection, it inspires hope that transcendence is waiting around the corner. [Jul 2017, p.84]