Hate is a record of immense ambition and sophistication, a bold vision, a beautifully calibrated meditation on the messy business of life. [Nov 2002, p.98]

One Bedroom finds the group in a more forthright mood -- just shifting up a gear makes a big difference. [Feb 2003, p.90]

A slick, clever and diverse set of populist dance and digi-rock songs. [Nov 2002, p.110]

Too wholesome for some, perhaps, but the melodies are reassuringly strong. [Oct 2002, p.96]

A record of startling breadth. [Feb 2003, p.96]

Less conceptually pure than its predecessor in terms of tone and motivation it may be, but Evil Heat's bespoke tailoring pays dividends time and time again. [Aug 2002, p.94]

The Roots have created another masterpiece. [Jan 2003, p.100]

A four-course meal of a record. [July 2002, p.108]

A mature and often profound record. [Dec 2002, p.102]

Post-techno production adds a depth and sheen to these fragile ruminations on the melancholy minutiae of existence. [Aug 2002, p.110]

Joni Mitchell's voice these days is as complex and adult as bourbon whiskey. [Dec 2002, p.116]

This band could, and should, go mega. [Jan 2003, p.99]

A quirky yet coherent whole. [May 2002, p.97]

Their songs aren't as good as their playing. [Apr 2003, p.98]

Characterised by both an ill-advised flirtation with cutting-edge electronics and an overabundance of rather washed-out reggae. [Jun 2003, p.98]

This album has plenty of ideas and plenty of 'moments.' [Jan 2003, p.92]

Testify really doesn't work. [Dec 2002, p.122]

It's the first time in the history of the Missy-Timbaland team-up where, having delivered the goods early on and earned the space to do whatever theheck they like, they tread water instead of pushing things forward. [Album of the Month, Jan 2003, p.90]

A sophisticated set of cutting edge R&B.... TLC's best, most consistent LP. [Dec 2002, p.106]

As a whole it lacks the unity of mood the characterised White Ladder... but there is much to love. [Dec 2002, p.106]

It's impressive stuff. [Jan 2003, p.100]

Not a record for those prone to depression, but a varied, substantial and intriguing one. [June 2002, p.112]

If this is to be Cash's last album, then what a magnificent way he has chosen to say goodbye. [Album of the Month, Dec 2002, p.100]

Part of a singular lineage of deceptively amiable and peculiarly British music that reaches back from Supergrass to Madness and Squeeze. [Nov 2002, p.102]

The Wallflowers make some of the best radio-friendly hooks and melodies around. [Mar 2003, p.112]

Sits to the right of the likes of Philip Glass and Glenn Branca while outdoing the experimentalism of either Radiohead or Sigur Ros. [Jan 2003, p.98]

The album rocks, its symphonic depth and stratosphere-surfing melodies more affecting with each subsequent listen. [Jan 2003, p.98]

Largely an enjoyable exercise in the perversion of the three-minute pop song. [Nov 2002, p.110]