But it's the art-punk sense of fearless invention that makes...Bobby Dee a winning album in praise of life's losers. [Feb 2010, p. 105]

Even if some of the dizzying stylistic shifts will be familiar from his day job, the quirky, urbane character is all Baio. [Aug 2017, p.102]

There's nothing remotely new or sophisticated about any of it. Instead the album happily operates at the most instinctual gut level, oozing authenticity in a way that Jack White, say, would give his front teeth for. [Nov 2008, p.111]

Que Veux Tu and La Musique cannily mesh memorable pop hooks and dancefloor energy, but Budet's international aspirations may be offset by her brave, if commercially questionable, decision to sing entirely in French. [May 2011, p.127]

When they equal their best source material, they're brilliant; but when that material is merely daft, they're less good. [Jun 2013, p.104]

It might be a little too smooth for plant-seducing ubiquity, but Tuxedo still deserves to get lucky. [May 2015, p.114]

Some tracks will work better live, but consider the experiment a success. [Jun 2017, p.112]

While they haven't lost their taste for repointing American and European folk, there's a brash, stadium-rock dazzle to these songs, proving that The Decemberists, at least, aren't taking the awfulness lying down. [Apr 2018, p.108]

Momentary Masters is a big beast with swagger in its bones and craft in its soul. [Sep 2015, p.110]

What is surprising is just how chief songwriter Oliver Ackermann shapes their face-melting shoegaze into something altogether more sophisticated. [Aug 2012, p.94]

It's one boringly pedestrian plod after another. [Jun 2012, p.104]

The B-side was never meant to bear this much relentless inspection. [Feb 2004, p.113]

These stripped-down efforts offer an insight into the singer's writing methods, but not much else. [Feb 2005, p.102]

You can't fault the songs, the playing or the voice, but these versions contribute little to the originals. [Oct 2005, p.117]

Alas, the only memorable moment is a cover of Fang's Money Will Roll Right In. [May 2007, p.129]

It can be a little ponderous, but the unearthly dawn chorus of 'Jade Like Wine' or the ritual freakout of 'Goddess Atonement' leave you yearning ofr a solstice to celebrate. [Dec 2007, p.124]

While there is plenty here that's impressive, the odd change of gear wouldn't go amiss next time around. [May 2009, p.110]

Throughout, Hunx nasally trills teenage romantic pain over raw retro clatter, and if Spector heard songs such as The curse Of being Young and Tonite Tonite from his prison cell, he'd surely approve. [May 2011, p.116]

Melodies take shape and dissolve, musical reference points blend unexpectedly but the effect, though disorientating, is always accessible. [Jun 2011, p.110]

A dark, violent and relentless listen. [Sep 2011, p.110]

While Mair's wistful voice can carry the weight, it occasionally makes all the impact of a light mist. [Jul 2012, p.107]

If you lock The Flaming Lips, Kanye West and Rustie in a studio together, they might well emerge with something sounding like this. [Dec 2012, p.112]

This is gorgeous. [Jan 2013, p.109]

Rocky Tinder and Eric Phipps's songs have a sharpness to them that makes them sparkle through the lysergic fug. [Jun 2013, p.108]

The debt to electronic pioneer Jean Michel Jarre's Oxygene is obvious, but it's a compliment to say this is guaranteed to send you to sleep. [Jun 2014, p.104]

A bold experiment with plenty of flavour. [Dec 2016, p.105]

There's decent adult pop to be had. [Jan 2016, p.111]

While the title's end-of-days concept might be flimsy, the grooves are rock solid. [Feb 2017, p.115]