If Sparta have been damned thus far as the weaker of ATDI's progeny, let it be so no longer.

Each tune is utterly lovely in its own right, but--my God--are they depressing. [7 Oct 2006, p.39]

The Pirate's Gospel is a campfire folk gem perfect for the summer festivals.

'Rudebox' is not 'Robbie Williams the serious artiste', but it is an amazing pop album.

Cleaned up but never pared-down, it's his most wholesome collection since 'The Hour Of Bewilderbeast'. [21 Oct 2006, p.35]

There's still signs of the nutso techno loony who prompted NME to invent the term 'drill'n'bass' back in the mid-'90s. [14 Oct 2006, p.35]

We say: just give in, it'll be the best vomit of your life. [20 Jan 2007, p.29]

A dark, beautiful collection. [26 Aug 2006, p.43]

For the most part it's clear that the New Zealanders have lost what sense of direction or purpose they had left. [7 Oct 2006, p.39]

An eclectic but thoroughly satisfying record. [21 Jan 2006, p.35]

If Beck gets better as he gets madder, this is definitely his best since 'Midnite Vultures' - maybe even since 'Odelay'.

The Killers are still as flashy, unintentionally funny, and flagrantly affected as ever.

Almost cinematic in feel, much of The Hold Steady's genius lies in Finn's ability to craft songs that tell stories as wise, textured and three-dimensional as the nearest old oak tree. [13 Jan 2007, p.30]

Sometimes you wish Meloy would just put away his studied thesp-schlock and say, "Man, I'm sick of singing about Victorian peasants. I got dumped once. I want to write about that..." [27 Jan 2007, p.31]

If you get a kick out of glorious, ragged old rock'n'roll, then you'll consider it essential.

A bittersweet second album of gentle strumming and washed-out summer sun. [30 Sep 2006, p.37]

Adem mirrors the ambitious approach of Sufjan Stevens. [13 May 2006, p.41]

Dando is in spiky, Buzzcocks-esque form. [23 Sep 2006, p.31]

Scissor Sisters sound under so much pressure to follow up a monster hit that they're not actually having any fun.

Superb stuff. [23 Sep 2006, p.33]

The lows are low for sure, but the highs are largely absent.

The only downside? You don't get to see the band's plentiful hair thrashing about. [30 Sep 2006, p.39]

'Tired Of Hanging Around' is one seriously pissed-off, paranoid, twitchy record.

Here, ultimately, the DJ remains resolutely in the background. ANd that was never the point. [16 Sep 2006, p.35]

The whiff of soft-rock schmaltz is occasionally close to overpowering. [16 Sep 2006, p.36]

An excellent third album. [23 Sep 2006, p.31]

There's going to be a hearty scrap between this lot, Muse and the Monkeys when album of the year time comes round.

All in all, this is merely promising rather than masterful. [14 Oct 2006, p.35]