Solid, but a little more derangement would have been welcome. [May 2017, p.107]

He's hardly renowned as a pin-up, which lends his fourth album's Prince-ly fixation with carnal knowledge a touch of the absurd.... Still, it's delivered with panache, thanks to Thicke's versatile pop-soul vocals and some slick production work. [Jun 2010, p.131]

The follow-up is far more coherent, as passionate but resisting the temptation to press the button marked "Gotterdammerung" with quite such abandon. [Dec 2010, p.103]

Functional but fun. [May 2010, p.122]

The title track sets the tone with its exploration of heroin addiction as a metaphor for relationships, but it's "The American Scream"--a gritty, neo-gothic parable--that best illustrates Alkaline Trio's unique take on three chords and the truth. [Mar 201, p.97]

The infinitely superior Cope might expand their reach further still. [May 2014, p.114]

The fire dies down as the album progresses, but the infectious melodies remain. [May 2016, p.104]

Opting to name your album Magnifique certainly suggests a renewed confidence and the music here largely supports that. [Sep 2015, p.115]

Throughout charming naivety rubs awkwardly against clumsy delivery. [Feb 2018, p.111]

There is one glaring drawback: so taboo-shredding are her lyrics, and so brutal her music, that she probably won't achieve the clout to which she obviously aspires. [Oct 2003, p.99]

Only the relatively jolly Escape Song is worth excavating from the morass. [Nov 2002, p.97]

The only top notch effort is the title track--Cash's first composition for years and among the best he's ever written. [Jan 2003, p.114]

Perfectly pleasant, but with none of the edge that might mark them as another Arcade Fire. [Oct 2005, p.117]

There's a raw urgency to the album that belies its dated influences. [Oct 2003, p.108]

Subtle, suggestive songs. [May 2005, p.117]

She sings [everything] so prettily that you wonder just how authentic her misery really is. [Aug 2006, p.113]

This debut shows his skills are undiminished, boasting some A-grade production. [Jun 2009, p.122]

As confusing or thought-provoking as ever, depending on how far you want to walk down Costello's mazy career path. [Jul 2009, p.118]

Cafarella's falsetto takes some getting used to, but the strategy pays off handsomly on the title track's chiimiing melody and the angular strut of recent single "Disconnected," even if the high point is actually DFA-worthy disco epic "Criss Cross." [May 2010, p.126]

This world music/indie rock mix is countered by the affecting melancholy of their quieter moments. [Nov. 2011, p. 143]

London's electronic wunderkind explores just about every other avenue in post rave dance music. [jam 2012, p.123]

Essentially, it's post rock without the waiting around - all the songs here are straight arrowed and straight-forward, but never predictable. [Oct 2011, p. 125]

It's 10 years since MHS were hailed as the next big thing, and with this album MacIntyre may finally repay those hopes. [Feb 2012, p.108]

Tasteful as well as gifted. [May 2012, p.105]

Ambition too often trumps listenability. [Oct 2012, p.104]

Whenever the album bares its claws, such as on Joe's Cult and the soaring Horses, it demonstrates just how good it would have been with a dash more daring. [Nov 2012, p.104]

It's executive producer Eminem and his tin ear for a beat who dominate the LP's direction--or, rather, lack of it. [Dec 2012, p.112]

Ring makes it work by resisting the urge to do anything that resembles grandiose. [Apr 2013, p.94]