Dark, downtrodden, and gloomy.

On first pass the album might feel like a lateral or even backward step. After repeated spins, however, its subtler arrangements take up digs in your head like pesky squatters who one day, inexplicably, start doing chores or even paying rent.

A lot of major label-imposed ideas, like rhythm guitar and a heartbreakingly conventional new bass sound, combine to utterly ruin the record's first half. If you can make it through to News' innards, however, an EP's worth of something like better-recorded, more thought-out Lonesome Crowded West material awaits.

This ambient/noise/psychedelic amalgam is limited by tedious repetition and a lack of emotional focus.

Ghost have helped Damon & Naomi reinvent themselves on this dream-pop excursion.

He wastes half of the ideas for lack of a good singer, and can't resist some counterproductive musical doodling in the arrangements.

The big downside is the lyrics.

For the first time in a long time, one can actually listen to David Gahan's lyrics. Indeed, on Exciter, he has rarely sounded less moronic.

Eclectic to the point of sounding confused.

Cure fans will enjoy this record, it's well-made and Smith doesn't break character. Everybody else, no sequels to "The Love Cats" will be found herein. Feel free to stay the hell away.

While Golden Greats features some intriguing tracks and a healthy dose of Brown's trademark bravado, it doesn't come close to ringing in as powerfully as the Roses' era-defining sound.

Little more than infuriatingly lame collaborations.

Unfortunately, talent alone doesn't always make a great record, and Howdy! lacks the excitement to put it in that category.

Belle & Sebastian's formula is beginning to see some wear.

The catchy songwriting doesn't sit well next to Neil's crunchy soul, and the performances feel so stiff it makes for an unusually uncomfortable listen.

In relation to what the Dave Matthews Band is capable of -- or even what they've recorded previously -- it's dreadful.

Of Montreal are at least three indie subfads too late.

Singular parts of this disc throw forth a few pretty piano chords or guitar strums but don’t expect to gain anything from this listening.