There's just enough twisted wit among the non sequiturs to redeem this controversial release. [Oct 2006, p.100]

What makes this more than a self-indulgence is the mellow melancholy he brings. [Oct 2006, p.103]

Its sound remains as confrontational and as provocative as its content. [Aug 2006, p.103]

While it might've been more digestible as a single CD, Black strives for a wide scope that makes the album's elegant songcraft, musical telepathy and poetic unpredictability all the more satisfying. [Aug 2006, p.104]

Loose feels less like an album than a clutch of singles plus accompanying extras. [Jul 2006, p.100]

Their new direction sounds suspiciously like the old one. [Jul 2006, p.100]

It might have been captured anytime in the past four decades. [Jul 2006, p.114]

A hazy treat. [Oct 2006, p.103]

Highly agreeable in small doses. [Jul 2006, p.104]

You're left with the uncomfortable sensation of having walked in on six serious young men, lost in their own indie-rock majesty. [Jun 2006, p.110]

A pretty disappointing work of rock ordinaire. [Jun 2006, p.112]

Last Days Of Wonder is rich in history and nature imagery, yet the couple are equally obsessed with modern life. [Jul 2006, p.101]

The Sun Awakens isn't wildly different (from its predecessor)--though it introduces tripped-out electric guitars to Chasny's homespun palette. [Jul 2006, p.102]

There's surely never beena Sonic Youth album so unself-conscious. [Jul 2006, p.98]

Spektor has lept from black and white into joyous colour. [Aug 2006, p.88]

Proves again what an unnerving space the interior of his head must be. [Aug 2006, p.104]

Quite stunning. [Jun 2006, p.112]

Thanks to the vision of singer/songwriter Traceyanne Campbell, this is a killer record, rather than just a pretty one.[Jul 2006, p.102]

This is a great record for and about New Orleans and one of the best the two men have ever made. [Jun 2006, p.96]

This record does not return [Ice Cube] to his early 1990s heyday, but proves he still has sufficient desire to make angry, focused music. [Aug 2006, p.90]

Vocally and melodically, Durant aims for nursery-rhyme simplicity, sometimes to her detriment. [Jun 2006, p.100]

Packed with fine folk-tinged numbers. [Jun 2006, p.102]

When Todd sings his own I Saw The Light he sounds more comfortable than when negotiating The Cars' blustering powerpop. [Jun 2006, p.111]

Only the faithful need apply. [Jul 2006, p.101]

A record that makes the tortured beauty of Tilt appear like a mildly resigned shrug. [Jun 2006, p.102]

It's another good one. [Jul 2006, p.100]

Equal parts bludgeoning Art Brut and soaring pop grace. [Aug 2006, p.94]

For all the frenetic energy, lush orchestration and earnest vocals, however, It's Never Been Like That has the feel of the work of a hollow band. [Jun 2006, p.110]