Combin[es] the chummy West Coast country pop of The Thrills with the plink-plonk pub piano philosophising of Embrace. [3 Jun 2006, p.33]

The sort of glossy folk-pop that makes you want to usher Alice down the rabbit hole, and roll out the cement mixer. [10 Jun 2006, p.41]

This is a further stumble away from the glory days of 'Ten'. [29 Apr 2006, p.39]

It's clear this group have ways of getting beneath your skin. [20 May 2006, p.33]

They're songs infused with bite and bile, quite ridiculous, very bombastic - and let's make this point one more time - utterly, utterly thrilling.

[It] signpost[s] a possible future for emo. [29 Apr 2006, p.39]

'Capture/Release' is fresh, unique, original even; its oh-so-contemporary reference points are revisited with such punk-rock vivacity and hell-for-charity-shop-leather vigour that they might be the first band you’d actually believe when they roll out the old "no, honestly, we were doing this long before we’d even heard of Bloc Party".

Yes, the Secret Machines do prog, but vitally they do so much more.

The beats and lyrics get better with each listen.

This is a folk-gospel tribute album with harmony and backing vocals so powerful you'd think it was the population of New Jersey marching in Technicolor over the grey, polluted Hudson singing along. [22 Apr 2006, p.39]

Alas, it tails off towards the end, and TBS never quite shake the feeling that other people are doing this sort of thing far more thrillingly elsewhere. [20 May 2006, p.33]

It doesn't seem the product of so revered an artist. [29 Apr 2006, p.37]

Mostly Americana and mostly unremarkable. [29 Apr 2006, p.37]

'Chosen Lords' is proof of Aphex Twin's uncommonly rude health, artistically-speaking. [15 Apr 2006, p.33]

The bastard lovechild of Tori Amos and an Eastern European touring circus. [15 Apr 2006, p.35]

Workmanlike. [18 Mar 2006, p.33]

A handy "best of the Stereophonics--for now." [8 Apr 2006, p.39]

At its best, this is the sound of Captain Tofuheart; at worst -- on 'Elegy' -- it is literally an out-of-tune dirge. [29 Apr 2006, p.39]

A debut offering of preposterously ace swoon-pop. [6 Aug 2005, p.56]

There's always something heartwarming about a band discovering pop well into their career, especially when it sounds as good as this. [1 Apr 2006, p.43]

It's an unyielding piss-up of tattooed garage riffs, petrol-drenched blues and Marlboro-chuffing growlers. [1 Jul 2006, p.35]

It's the sound of the band mutating from the exciting, mysterious person in the club to the partner you pee in front of and take shopping for carpets. [15 Apr 2006, p.35]

A twisted, mucky treat. [15 Apr 2006, p.35]

Better moments appear when they get a bit ballsier: 'On The Radio' and 'As Four' are jingly upbeat numbers that show they haven't spent all their in-between album down time crying into their pillows. [4 Mar 2006, p.29]

It's astonishing how the band are unafraid to take on Serious Issues yet remain so much fun.

'Ringleader Of The Tormentors' sees Morrissey not only in wonderful voice, but more flamboyant and alive than at any time in his solo career.

This latest effort sees her turn indistinguishable. [1 Apr 2006, p.43]

Secure, self-aware and even funny, this could well be the masterpiece they've always promised to make. [11 Mar 2006, p.43]