Cold and lifeless.

The songwriting is self-assured and thoughtful; the album is unified as a pastiche of romantic musings.

Their new pop direction finds them drifting about, directionless as opposed to eclectic.

[The songs] are just similar enough to blend together in a close listen, but they also work as a diverse soundtrack behind whatever it is you're doing.

Low Kick and Hard Bop doesn't necessarily lend itself to all listening situations, and may even be tiring at times. It can, however, enlighten and surprise the listener.

Bitter Tea offers immediacy, but little reward for return visits; offers vastness -- at a dawdling 73 minutes -- but nothing in the way of big ideas.

It's a relaxed and ambitious collection that confirms Ryan Adams' reputation as a top-notch singer and songwriter who easily jumps styles and evokes comfortable sadness with every turn.

A gorgeous and moving collection of love songs.

Rock Steady certainly isn't that good, and at times it's rather bad (usually when Ocasek gets a bit Cars). But it does have its moments, most of which come at the hands of [co-producer Nellee] Hooper...

Elastica throw out crackling melodies with little regard for the listener.

Pierce seems to have lost the magic that he once seemed in total command of.

It's the sound of someone crashing and burning in a heap of misguided, grandiose intentions.

No BIG message here; I Am Kloot simply made a good, heartfelt rock record and, without sounding like they had to try too hard, pulled it off.

The album is surprisingly consistent despite its unbalanced components.

This isn't music about angst or ego, hooks or licks, or lyrics we've heard before.

Tortoise have, in the past, asked more from their listeners. This time they let us off a little too easy.

Superior to its predecessor in just about every respect.

While the dizzying mix of musical styles and absurdist lyrics is still there, Camper are a much more skilled, mature band.

Bobby Gillespie and company come up short here.

It's hard to figure out exactly why everybody is so excited about this record.... There is something there to like -- plenty, in fact. But it is also disjointed and sometimes maddening.

It's the conviction and passion within the singing -- both male and female -- that wins me over in the end.

On their second proper longplayer, Air project that melancholy forward, depicting romantic recollections from a future world in which "technology" has attained sci-fi levels.

Mind you, Kelly Jones' voice is an acquired taste. If you warm to it, however, you'll then enjoy a wealth of simple country-tinged pop songs.

Buried at the 11th track on the compact disc, "Satisfaction" makes everything else on this album seem better by its presence. It's the one true standout cut, giving the album a jewel in the glittering, if ersatz, moving-outta-the-ghetto hip-hop-princess crown that Eve places on her own "bombshell" brow.

The conversational rawness that drove the previous albums is gone, and the band loses something as a result.

Combining brute force with melody, Worlds Apart is a stunning showcase for AYWKUBTTOD's mature sound, full of unexpected subtleties, musical wild-cards and detours.

I'm not clear on everything Cex, but I've heard enough to know you want to hear this.

I don't expect people outside the shadow of the Rockies to understand this music.