Perseverance with the rougher sound and jerky arrangements will be rewarded. [Dec 2004, p.129]

She's making a bid for the mainstream, even recruiting ex-ELO mainman Jeff Lyne to her corner on five tracks, including grandiose highlight 'Human Of The Year,' a three-minute distillation of the album's overriding facination with religion. [Aug 2009, p.104]

Now remastered from the UK tapes, these albums are utterly pointless. [Mar 2014, p.123]

This is compassion delivered with the force of a jackhammer. [Mar 2017, p.107]

The result is a more polished sound that lets Nau's '60s/'70s-echoing songs shine. [Sep 2018, p.117]

Del Rey sounds regally removed from the box-ticking modernity of her peers, a one-woman advertisement for the appeal of the unreal. [Aug 2014, p.113]

Their 16th album proves that while Guided by Voices' songs are legion, their gifts remain singular.[Feb. 2012 p. 109]

There's a small charisma shortfall, but blessed with good songs, Leithauser wears everything well. [Jun 2014, p.113]

At times it's almost too much to take in, the album's secrets and flavours gradually revealing themselves on the third or fourth listen. [May 2014, p.112]

This won't make them stars, but that's not the point: it's lovely and they should pursue further. [Mar 2018, p.113]

While the sense of danger that characterised 1997's Mogwai Young Team or 2001's Rock Action might have abated, Mr Beast shows a band who have lost none of their bark or their bite. [Mar 2006, p.108]

Post-punk might not be new, but like their name, with a few tweaks and some bold personality Eagulls have defiantly made it their own. [Apr 2014, p.108]

Butler's attempts at the old guitar dramatics are hopelessly overwrought. [Jul 2005, p.115]

It stays true to their quirky synth-with-Indian-influences sound, while adding club beats, but displays a penchant for half-explained, possibly sinister scenarios involving, variously, alcohol, agoraphobia and hospitals. [Apr 2011, p.95]

These Texans stick to the plan: the concoction of very wonderful thinking-dudes' rock albums, recycling yesteryear's classic vinyl. [Dec 2013, p.110]

At times, it's almost peaceful. [Jul 2014, p.109]

They can't quite maintain that standard [in the first three singles] throughout but nevertheless this remains a deeply impressive debut. [Jul 2015, p.108]

Thomas doesn't completely capture the fleet shimmer of the best pop, but his songs are too much fun not to be taken seriously. [Aug 2016, p.108]

Remarkably fresh, contemporary and upbeat for a band's 13th studio album. [Jul 2017, p.106]

As befits a title meaning "peaceful," Eirenic Life is background balm for modern life. [Aug 2017, p.109]

The 21-year-old's eclectic debut oozes attitude, his pithy social commentary binding together sonic excursions into breezy funk-punk, poundshop hip-hop and indie tearjerkers. [Sep 2017, p.115]

It starts off well. ... It's a shame then, that the second half of the album is so unspectacular. [Jan 2018, p.109]

Nihilistic Glamour Shots is a 35-minute burst of frustration and cynicism ... Not subtle, but then it doesn't need to be. [May 2018, p.104]

Recorded at LA's Ocean Way studios, his 10th album sees his screwball pop vision go widescreen. [Oct 2010, p.112]

This enjoyably jumbled set could be their London Calling. [Mar 2019, p.115]

What at first, certainly compared to its startling predecessor, feels like a retreat from modern music’s radical frontline (nasty jazz, electronica, noise) gradually unfolds to offer equally interesting new ways of hearing.

Passable psych-rock that rarely disappoints, but equally never really soars. [Sep 2014, p.117]

A positively unhinged record. [Dec 2006, p.133]

Here they find wonderful refuge in stability. [Nov 2014, p.102]

What elevates The Veils above pleasant distraction... is [Andrews'] extraordinary, chameleon-like voice. [Mar 2004, p.113]

Here's a band on top of the world, and on top of their game. [Oct 2012, p.98]

That Godrich is a master at harnessing restless energy should be no surprise. Here is further proof. [May 2020, p.112]

It's impossible not to be swept up in the exuberance. [Feb 2016, p.111]

This time there is too little that snags the ear. [Nov 2016, p.114]

Their fifth album builds on 2007's well-received "Abandoned Language," with MC Dalek's rhymes playing second fiddle to producer Oktopus's darkly imaginative soundscapes. [Mar 2009, p.96]

Hypnophobia is enjoyably immersive while it lasts, yet like so many dreams it's hard to recall any of the specific details once it's been and gone. [Jun 2015, p.106]

Building a forthright sound on upfront drums, piano and Stephen Patterson's angsty vocals, tracks including Burundi-drumming lead single Percussion gun and the suspenseful groover Right Where They Left are a winning balance of art-indie mope and pop energy. [Feb 2010, p. 113]

Super Furry Animal ditches band and experimentation for the simple life. [March 2011, p. 114]

There's enough to help fans rekindle the love affair. [Dec. 2011 p. 129]

Ultimately, with its emphasis on synths and beats over the sterling melodies of Love Letters, Summer 08 ends up coming over like a stopgap offering--or a Joe Mount solo record--rather than the next Metronomy album proper. However, those who miss the slightly demented groves of the pre-fame Metronomy are advised to dive in. [Aug 2016, p.112]

An odd mix, but a perfect setting for George's intoxicatingly sweet voice. [Apr 2007, p.117]

An album very much worthy of The Specials' name. [Mar 2019, p.118]

Boyle is still at his strongest when he opts to bring the noise. [Jul 2015, p.102]

At times mesmerising, at others merely patience-testing, it nevertheless stays true to Darko's vision of himself as a man apart. [Nov 2015, p.103]

The intensity of his pain is inescapable in this exhausting explanation of what really becomes of the broken-hearted. [Oct 2004, p.124]

It's packed with clever songwriting, wry observations and occasional Leonard Cohen-esque dark foreboding. [Jan 2012, p.120]

Powerhouse is a string statement: galvanised, streamlined, charged emotionally until sparks fly. [Jan 2019, p.113]

They seem ground down by arguments. [Oct 2010, p.111]

A heartening set of high speed melody, humanism and pessimism.

Their kooky appeal wanes over the course of an album, reminding you that sometimes cults stay that way for a reason. [July 2011, p. 106]

This isn't quite their peak (not least since it seems to have been recorded in a shed next to a motorway), but when they hit their stride it's clear why they're so revered, most thrillingly on the anthem that is, 1,2,3, Partyy!, the stentorian Forget Yourself or the beguiling closer, Slow Faucet. [Jan 2010, p. 122]

10 ready-made, slightly wonky theme tunes. [May 2013, p.113]

Those familiar with Oberst's method... will find much to admire in the direct ranting on display. [Jan 2006, p.127]

Bristling with ideas, it's an album worth getting to grips with. [Mar 2014, p.115]

The vocals make Savage Hills Ballroom an acquired taste, but those who enjoy a bitter pill will swallow it whole. [Oct 2015, p.117]

Successfully bring[s] new features to familiar territory. [Jul 2005, p.115]

It still pays dividends, The Notwist adding melody to the fractured electronica of Themselves and gaining rhythmic substance in return. [Jun 2011, p.107]

Ghostpoet's empathy for his characters scarcely makes the narrow emotional bandwidth less oppressive. [Apr 2015, p.109]

Highlights aren't hard to find. ... But there's a fair amount of flab too, and at 78 minutes long there's the sense that Rare Birds is too sprawling for its own good. [May 2018, p.114]

The results are perhaps closest in spirit to Rough Trade-period Scritti Politti, all controlled experimentation and unexpected musical shapes thrown to enhance the songs, rather than indulge musical whims. [May 2005, p.112]

His trademark lyrical honesty and sublime fingerpicking remain at the fore. [Oct 2013, p.99]

This confident follow-up is rawer, looser and altogether more agressive. [Apr 2009, p.97]

An exhilarating workout for mind and soul. [Dec 2015, p.103]

A collection of jangly guitar pop that struggles to locate a niche within their favoured genre. [Mar 2019, p.116]

Any nuance is stomped by hectic drums and background chants, but it's hard not to warm to people acting on the very human compulsion to make their presence known in case they spin out of reach forever. [May 2017, p.107]

At times it meanders, but their weirdness is quite wonderful. [Nov 2007, p.134]

A catalogue of enjoyable sun-drenched rock'n'roll, if you don't listen too closely to the words. [#361, p.116]

While Molly O oozes foreboding, Meet Me In the Alleyway is eerily reminiscent of The The and the Grammy-nominated This City is a genuine gem. [Jun 2011, p.114]

The synthesised tropical shimmers, buzzings of insects and blat of helicopter blades largely lack the momentum to sustain interest outside the cinema. [Jul 2002, p.112]

The results are accomplished, but the yearning twang of the porch is never far away. [Jan 2005, p.127]

Once you've bequeathed them your synapses, the rewards are great. [Aug 2004, p.116]

A fine start. [Mar 2004, p.113]

Frequently explodes with ideas. [Oct 2003, p.112]

Although less retro than chums Jurassic 5, their Hispanic-flavoured style constantly edges between sounding cool and simply withdrawn. [Nov 2000, p.101]

Despite such big hitters as Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens and Arcade Fire, it's an overly introspective affair, with little standing out bar contributions from The Decemberists and Dave Sitek. [Mar 2009, p.102]

Fizzing with energy and wearing its Pixies hat with pride, Touchdown is a blast of brain-scrambled indie rock that reaches its apogee, of sorts, on the irresisitibly dumb 'Hey, Hey.' [May 2009, p.119]

The home recordings, however, insist this is probably for fans only. [Jul 2009, p.138]

Infectious, sun-bleached and psychedelic--the welcome return of a South American institution. [Oct 2009, p.114]

Their debut...has all the right soul/pop/early Motown moves, plus enough retro fizz to get any party started. [Oct 2011, p.130]

They share a love for the kind of heady jams previously lost in the mists of the '70s psychedelia, Shadow's On Behalf's shimmering harmonies and loose-knit rhythms drawing inspirations from such exponents of starry-eyed soul as David Axelrod and Rotary Connection. [Oct 2011, p.130]

Good Morning to the Night is a truly remarkable record, one that will repay your deep and repeated listening tenfold. [Aug 2012, p.99]

The album's slow, soporific pace can mean it sounds similar from song to song, but Okumu's voice pivots everything. [Jul 2012, p.104]

The album's closing songs blur into a somewhat too-cushioned landing. [Dec 2012, p.112]

A simple, joyful late-career bloom. [May 2013, p.106]

[Linden's] breathy vocals elevate these warm, enveloping songs to a richer level. [Feb 2014, p.116]

Yann Tiersen's latest is as distant from that film's {Amelie's] accordion-powered melodies as his native Brittany is from Paris. [Jul 2014, p.117]

He's let down by an anaemic production. [Jul 2014, p.118]

As ever, you end up feeling there's method somewhere in his madness. [Nov 2014, p.104]

Although recorded at the same time as Mothers, Absent Fathers sounds more cohesive, Earle's vocals stronger, the playing a little more direct. [Feb 2015, p.117]

Its delicately observed song cycle unfolds like a novella or short film, with tracks that might seem slight isolation gaining resonance in situ. [Dec 2015, p.108]

Esoteric but oddly compelling record. [Oct 2016, p.110]

How To Be A Human Being shows a band who know how to Frankenstein a song together, but can't bring it to life. [Nov 2016, p.107]

Krell's exploration into inner space working best when opening the door wide enough to let a little light in. [Dec 2018, p.108]

This is pop music with a pint in its hand and joy in its heart. [Jun 2019, p.112]

They're less assured on the more experimental numbers. [Aug 2020, p.109]

Hamilton's languid, Hope Sandoval-style cooing occasionally struggles to keep pace.... But when they're aiming true, Widowspeak strike gold. [Mar 2013, p.111]

Finn is sometimes let down by a ploddy production. [May 2017, p.103]

[An album] that's up there with its maverick creator's best.[Feb. 2012 p. 105]