Despite its gloomy subject matter, it's really quite a fun listen.

Unfortunately, such small moments of inspiration are only peppered throughout, and they're not enough to make up for an entire album of ramblings.

More than half of this album is mind-blowing, so it would be nice to leave Sholi with a brain buzzing with that same intrigue, confusion and happiness.

It's never devoid of expression of interest, and has a colour and charm you'll struggle to find on the airwaves these days. Most of all, it's fun. Pure and simple.

For those people who still think Lily Allen is the epitome of nepotistic celebrity culture, her second album won't change many minds. For the rest of us, It's Not Me It's You cements her position as one of this country's most interesting pop stars and proves that she's not some one-hit wonder.

First Love is a promising, and at times deeply impressive, debut album.

A thoroughly professional, exquisitely produced, and utterly soulless album.

Diplo's original production work is the real joy of this compilation though, and probably the crowning gem is 'Solta O Frango,' from the sublime Bonde Do Role album.

The album really comes into its own when soft and subtle songs.

Hannigan is talented and Sea Sew is a pretty album. It's just if there is a lot of heart in the music, there's not a lot of brain.

As its title rightly suggests, this is a feel good slice of fun best served with a cocktail in hand.

All told it's a slightly patchy album, but one which is nonetheless saved by a couple of pop gems.

The EP manages to stand alone in its own right, with the seven pieces here each offering subtle developments on that wonderful album's sound.

At times it may seem like the most depressing easy listening record you've ever heard, but there's plenty of depth and deft touches here to make it well worth checking out.

Fans of grunge, hard rock, and various types of metal will find a lot to like about these songs. Ladyfinger (ne) blend elements carefully and in such a way as to avoid kitsch.

This looks to be the album that has really brought the nomads that make up Hamilton's band together, and it's another Canadian triumph to add to an ever-increasing list.

There are some excellent tracks on the album but all in all this is a serious disappointment from a band of whom much more was expected.

Tonight... isn't a bad album by any means, and it's certainly an improvement on their last effort, but at the same time you can't shake the feeling that they missed a trick.

This certainly isn't an essential album by any means, and perhaps a retrospective of Tillman's previous five albums and EPs might have been a better introduction.

There is no pandering here, with Springsteen and the trusty E Street Band rocking and rolling with free abandon and sounding like they thoroughly enjoyed every single moment recording the album.

It's not a record to dissect or fall in love with, but rather a diverting, casual listen that brightens up the best part of an hour.

There are definite up moments in Dear John, but the odd mix of Svanängen's meandering melodies and melancholic vocals mixed with the bizarre samples and synths makes for a concoction that will either be adored or thrown out of a window in disgust.

This is a hyperactive but genuinely exciting listen.

A.M. may pick up some takers for fans of both protagonists' main bands but there is little here that will tempt the casual listener.

Oozing fun out of every pore, this record is the perfect tonic to the increasingly troubled times that 2009 brings with it and will most likely feature on many of those Best Of lists come December.

At times, you won't hear a more beautiful album this year, and there are enough heart-stoppingly dramatic moments on here to more than justify all the excited pre-release anticipation.

It sees Vernon moving things on a touch, artistically, while still retaining much of what made his debut such a delight to so many.

This is a band that don't sound like anything else around at the moment, who aren't afraid to experiment with hip-busting funk, rock and power pop all jumping into bed together.