Closer in quality to [his] five immeasurably influential '70s standard-bearers than anything from Wonder's '80s or '90s catalogue. [Dec 2005, p.102]

His bellowed cadences are as timeless and elemental as the blues. [Nov 2005, p.98]

Not every moment is transcendent.... But otherwise, this is that rare thing, an album that shares new pleasures each time you hear it, made by someone who's still excited by music. [Nov 2005, p.102]

An entirely silly album. [Jan 2006, p.120]

The band use trad tools... and trad tricks... But there's nothing trad about their cock-your-head tunings and lose-your-balance rhythms. [Dec 2005, p.100]

An album of gauzily reflective--but engrossingly atmospheric--pieces. [Nov 2005, p.108]

The best Gang Of Four tribute album... ever. [Nov 2005, p.96]

Underpowered covers... confirm the impression of a high-octane artist tired out and running on empty. [Dec 2005, p.105]

As Is Now may be his finest and most consistent record since 1993's Wild Wood; possibly even since the days of The Jam. [Nov 2005, p.100]

This is one darkly alluring trip. [Mar 2006, p.108]

The Magic Numbers have made one of the records--perhaps the record--that 2005 is destined to be remembered for. [Jul 2005, p.110]

A fine, off-beat listen. [Jan 2006, p.124]

An effervescent rush of melody, invention and magic. [Jan 2006, p.119]

A brilliant second album unembarrassed about building on the strengths of the first, delivering 13 knockout tunes betraying not an ounce of flab or self-indulgence. [Nov 2005, p.94]

[Ladytron] have evolved into a dark behemoth, trading much of their Moogy plinky-plonk poise and gentle subversion for ominous rock thunder. [Sep 2005, p.96]

With Z, My Morning Jacket have left their comfort zone, assumed the mantle of firebrands, and delivered a truly momentous work. [Oct 2005, p.96]

Determinedly singing in her own accent was a wise move. [Oct 2005, p.110]

Proves Mark E. Smith's gang have lost nothing of the power to surprise. [Nov 2005, p.104]

Finds [Wolf] firmly ensconced within a four-piece-band format, but still coming up with the lyrical goods on a regular basis. [Dec 2005, p.102]

These gentle, melodic, acoustic guitar-driven songs are outweighed by electronica of the retro-modern variety. [Nov 2005, p.110]

Fans of relentless riffing may be sated, anyone else will be left feeling a little awkward. [Dec 2005, p.98]

By turns, it's both sublime and downright ridiculous. [Oct 2005, p.116]

There's an undeniable feeling of bile over content. [Nov 2005, p.100]

Frustratingly, Adams' insistence on releasing his every whim means that for each wonderful My Heart Is Broken or Pa, there's a rather ordinary The Hardest Part, dreary Silver Bullets or simply stinking Dear John. [Oct 2005, p.112]

Mercifully, the venerable Big Star franchise emerges pretty much unsullied. [Oct 2005, p.108]

Almost every track plays nice sweet-and-sour tricks on the ears. But maximum, piercingly intelligent, heartfelt Crow comes through only in Sending A Letter To God. [Oct 2005, p.98]

Both spectacularly riotous and deliciously bittersweet. [Nov 2005, p.112]

The songs are so wordy, the album so one-paced that it soon begins to sag. [Dec 2005, p.105]