The third instalment in his Actual Life series continues the concept of an artistic journal, but fails to convey the intended poignancy.

It contains nothing noteworthy, nothing to grab the listener's attention, and will have few going back for repeated listens.

There's more than just a niggle that Free isn't breaking new ground. More disturbingly, the album is a wasted chance to build on Vivarium, and isn't as good as so much of the music it tries to emulate.

It is to be hoped that they will continue to make relevant urban commentaries as they have done prior to this brave but largely disappointing record.

It's those lyrics that make much of this second album such a disappointment.

When it comes down to it, the second part of Green Day's trilogy of albums is another crushing disappointment.

It sounds a bit like they're trying too hard, trying to be too clever in their pursuit of "technicolour joy".

The band seem to be far too familiar with the sonic designs of The Incredible String Band and Comus. Espers II sounds more like a lovelorn impersonation of the music than a radical exploration of its possibilities.

His attempts to be emotive or inspirational sound just wrong.

This album’s seeming eschewal of depth and nuance of meaning leaves it feeling ultimately hollow.

With Lost Songs, Trail Of Dead certainly have their hearts in the right place; sadly, though, that's the best one can really say about this album.

When certain songs occasionally come within touching reach of greatness, it’s most often through their distinct resemblance to other acts.

[Election Special] is a Texas-sized strikeout.

C’mon You Know’s problem is that, after the initial bluster of his two preceding albums, it just sounds distinctly pedestrian, complacent and reflective. The addition of wisps of trippy phasing, looped drums and a diversion into dub (eek!) all add up to songs that seem just a bit too contrived and calculated to really feel like he ‘means it man’.

Tre! is more whimper than bang.

The whole project is overproduced and overly slick, stripping the nuance out of the hymnal nature of the music, music that should be allowed to breathe so that it can shine.

There are too many unlistenable experiments left in, too much bland monotony. What little goodness remains simply isn't worth the effort.

We know 3OH!3 can be entertaining and danceable, but too many tracks seem rushed, unenthusiastic and even boring.

Taken strictly as an aural experience, it’s a brave and sometimes moving work that nonetheless falls well short of success.

In her first offering, Jessie J's only real failing appears to be her attempt to be everything to everyone. As a result the album fails to live up to its title, for by the end of it you're left none the wiser when it comes to the identity of Jessie J.

Their most lukewarm effort. What was, in their early days, delicious in its languor is now turgid and inert, struggling for hooks with only the most tepid sense of melody.

If you want to stretch your wings further, you need originality and you need not just bravado but actual courage--and Viva Brother's world is neither brave nor new.

The list of guest stars includes Jessie J, Robbie Williams and will.i.am, and the album is as overproduced as those names suggest. Worse still, on The Fifth Dizzee Rascal succumbs to the worst stereotypes of rap music.

Too many of these tracks sound like empty afterthoughts, or half-baked studio incarnations, needing more embellishment or maybe just a general reimagining.

The album may start well, but there is very little on the record that will last long in the memory.

Does You Inspire You has a few high points, most of them hidden in the quieter corners of the album. In its more strident moments, though, it's just plain puzzling.

Although it will undoubtedly be adored by Kasabian’s fiercely loyal army of fans, to the unconverted 48:13 sounds like a band running perilously low on ideas.

The potential is undoubtedly there, but Reptar's debut album suffers badly from the band's chaotic approach, as well as Ulicny's occasionally grating vocals.