While there are plaintive acoustic moments, listen closely and [Oliveri's] inciting listeners to necrophiliac cannibalism. [Aug 2003, p.110]

All told, one weird trip. [May 2004, p.102]

He has finally shed some of his ironic detachment. [Jun 2005, p.111]

There's no denying its stout hart. [Apr 2006, p.113]

It's a sterling testimony to both the songwriting skills of Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle and bassist Tony Barber's crisp production that Buzzcocks still sound so undeniably valid. [Apr 2006, p.112]

Luckily, Lif's mental agility and provocative rhymes are matched by the production skills of... El-P. [Jul 2006, p.115]

Innovation isn't on the agenda, but thanks to some stomping tunes and Auerbach's oak-smoked vocals, it's another rock-solid enterprise. [Sep 2004, p.119]

A charming album. [May 2006, p.128]

These broiling drum-led riffs offer curdled cries, much volume and even humour. [Aug 2006, p.113]

Over a strident indie-rock soundtrack, singer Kate Jackson comes across like a female Morrissey. [Dec 2006, p.138]

There's... a core of tunefulness and celebration to their experimentation. [Apr 2007, p.118]

They still sound best when playing fast and loud and are only hampered by the album's terrible title and some bizarre lyrics. [Oct 2004, p.123]

Sounds at once familiar yet new. [Aug 2005, p.127]

Masterfully crafted and shot through with outlaw energy. [May 2004, p.101]

If only the Stones would make a record like this. [Jun 2004, p.94]

There's a new sense of darkness and despair at their core. [Dec 2003, p.124]

The Dolls tighten their musical corset with beguiling style. [May 2006, p.123]

As ever, The Outsider's production is immaculate. But by frontloading the album with forbidding hip hop, [Shadow] knows he's driving away the floating voter. [Sep 2006, p.106]

It walks the line between indie and pop without stumbling. [Oct 2006, p.125]

There's still enough trail dust on the seat of their experimental pants to delight country rock eggheads. [May 2006, p.123]

Shows he still has few peers when whipping up a likeable mix of energy, melody and glistening harmonies. [May 2005, p.117]

It's not exactly a party, but Marshall's songwriting and cooing delivery remain fierce and otherly, redolent of romantic encounters in strange wood cabins. [Mar 2003, p.114]

As much as The Back Room is a victory for style, it also strikes a blow for substance. [Aug 2005, p.135]

Back to basics. [May 2003, p.100]

As good as it should be. [Jul 2005, p.120]

The band kick back and noodle with a refreshing nonchalance. [Aug 2005, p.137]

The songs here bode well. [Jan 2005, p.128]

[It] could easily have been a staggeringly pompous exercise; instead, it's rendered intriguing by a liberated approach. [Feb 2007, p.99]