An intelligent, well-crafted and catchy mix of funk, rap, soul and right-on sloganeering. [Jul 2003, p.104]

Wareham is in fine, sardonic form throughout. [Nov 2004, p.130]

He may not have Mos [Def's] lyrical depth, but his vocal style is assured and refreshingly direct. [Apr 2005, p.121]

An oddly affecting collage. [Dec 2006, p.132]

At 14 tracks Versions is too long... At its best, though, it's a blast. [May 2007, p.124]

Immediately satisfying. [Jun 2005, p.120]

An unexpected treat. [Apr 2007, p.122]

Smart and occasionally even danceable, if not quite as cool as they think. [May 2005, p.111]

It's a place where sweet harmony vocals and extreme rock meet, like Crosby, Stills & Nash through an art-punk shredder. [Dec 2005, p.148]

A welcome return to form. [Jan 2004, p.114]

A diverting synthesis of analogue old-schoolery and modern genre-hopping. [Nov 2004, p.117]

Finds them revelling in bursts of noise and awkwardness, but more surprisingly perhaps, taking as much comfort in sweet melody. [Jul 2004, p.124]

Reveal[s] a finely tuned pop ear setting them apart from the noisier kids in the punk playground. [Feb 2004, p.98]

A too-well-buried treasure. [Aug 2005, p.129]

Stuffed with little revelations. [Jun 2005, p.113]

A laid-back affair clouded with melancholy. [Sep 2006, p.109]

Darnielle's striking way with a phrase makes songs about Milky Ways for breakfast and smelly flats into things of quiet wonder. [Mar 2004, p.107]

He's still in lovely voice... and he deploys it on a selection of material that revels in past glories while showcasing his current triumphs. [May 2005, p.104]

A mightily heavy and punky album. [Jul 2006, p.119]

The few electronic beats and textures are deft, discreet soundbeds for the lush intimacies of the vocals, which slip from soothing to strident. [Oct 2004, p.120]

They've never sounded this heavy or this pissed off. [Jul 2003, p.106]

His mutation into Hank Williams may be unlikely, but it also proves to be rather charming. [Aug 2005, p.126]

An album of some considerable beauty. [Sep 2005, p.118]

It's claustrophobic, neurotic and occasionally nightmarish. [Jan 2003, p.119]

You sense that once this entertaining diversion is done, it will be back to the real business. [Apr 2007, p.112]

It's the songs not the approach which set her apart. [Aug 2003, p.116]

The worthiest addition yet to her legendary status. [Nov 2004, p.119]

Absorbing. [Jan 2007, p.153]