It's admirable that they have made such a shameless ode to that which they deem most important to their musical output, or at least what they thought might sell, but the way in which it seems so forced and uncomfortable is the opposite of what anyone would have expected.

The fact that he can produce an album like Bad As Me, with more energy, invention and sheer excitement that artists half his age stands as testimony that Tom Waits remains one of the true giants of music.

As an EP taster, Mount Wittenberg Orca would have been great, but by positioning itself as the finished article, one is left with the sense of an incomplete journey and a wasted opportunity.

Smoking In Heaven is a great achievement, to be enjoyed again and again.

For all the development in their sound, this new Peggy Sue is less lovable than before, the whimsy and the wit, the colour and the life a little buried, and whatever their final lyrics say, a touch too troubled now.

Tape Club is a fine time capsule for their first decade together.

Rihanna's appearance aside, Mylo Xyloto is everything you'd expect from a Coldplay album.

It's all very Jeffrey-Lewis-esque in fact--another entertaining album from a man determined to cling to his cult status as long as possible.

It demonstrates his considerable talent as a producer, for he has crafted a cutting edge album that is extremely engaging and enjoyable.

The scenic route is where it's at--and there is plenty of that to enjoy on this illuminating record.

This relentlessly positive outlook may not suit those searching for a bit more angst in their pop music, but it suits Real Estate just fine.

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.

There are certainly some nice tunes here though it's doubtful if Underground buskers will be swapping them for the likes of Wonderwall and Don't Look Back In Anger in their Christmas run-up repertoire.

It's the sort of album that makes you want to lay down between the speakers and close your eyes; it's an album in which to get swept up.

The Great Escape Artist is the least cohesive of all Jane's Addiction's albums.

It's a self-assured and very cohesive piece of work. Lisa Hannigan's journey as a solo artist continues to trundle along without any bumps in the road.

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming may have its flaws, but minor niggles aside it is a testament to the fine songwriting skill of Gonzalez.

[A] glorious album, that is full of both gravity and levity, wisdom and beauty, and that is, most of all, infused with the honesty and humanity that make of it such a triumph.

Make no mistake; there is a lot more quality to come from this source.

It may be occasionally unnerving, but there is pure balm to be found here, music to speak to even the most troubled of souls.

Like the recent offerings from the aforementioned pair, Rapprocher is properly cinematic.

This album does indeed show a band running with a newly discovered sense of freedom.

While not as flawed and over-ambitious as London Undersound or Human, the feeling persists that this is an artist who would benefit from calling a halt to all the grand projects for a while and going back to basics.

Gracious Tide, Take Me Home is a frequently stunning and achingly earnest debut effort whose sugary gossamer moments find themselves perfectly underlined with a bitterly sad aesthetic, but it would definitely benefit from the rougher edges that the band bring to their live show.

An uncomplicated and perfectly pleasant record, swirling with some instantly intoxicating '60s inspired pop numbers, Lights Out finds itself running at the same, ultimately tedious pace for 12 songs.

The concept is realised for the most part, and while some more variety in the 'musical memories' might have been nice (along with a little more length), there's not much to knock in a cracking example of that rare phenomenon--listenable concept art.

Some may describe this album as too raucous and little more than a racket, but it's a glorious racket.

Whilst Obscurities has its moments, it mostly only offers tiny hints of Merritt's real genius.