His imaginative, smartly delivered lyrics hold the attention during those moments when producer Lewis's beats don't quite match them for sparkle. [Apr 2013, p.94]

There are eager minds at work here. [Apr 2013, p.110]

Factor in some amiable but lightweight filler and Yes falls maddeningly short of its glittering promise--a glimpse of pop nirvana when it should be the whole thing. [Apr 2009, p.109]

This eclectic follow-up finds him embracing the diversity that made Sebadoh so exciting in the '90s.[ Nov 2009, p.101]

Clearly aiming for som eof the Lady Gaga's action, debut album Animal contains more of the same surging synth-pop and invitations to party. [Mar 2010, p.110]

A polished album that rewards repeated listens. [Sep 2016, p.107]

With Doyle's lethargic vocals sung like sighs to form sweet harmonies over upbeat guitar lines, it's an album that has a smile that doesn't quite reach the eyes. [Sep 2016, p.105]

The trio of Spanish songs are no fun at all and ballads such as Come To Me are more Michael Bolton than Michael Jackson, but - and let's not be coy about this - when he does Livin' La Vida Loca again, he's fantastic.

It might lack Ryder-Jones's delicate invention, but it's still a lesson in enjoyable lucid songwriting. [Jul 2013, p.109]

Make-Believe is a record you're more likely to respectfully admire than fall hopelessly in love with. [Jun 2012, p.110]

Amid such moments of clarity, however, there's the kind of meandering you originally expected from such an arty bunch. [Nov 2003, p.105]

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less retro than chums Jurassic 5, their Hispanic-flavoured style constantly edges between sounding cool and simply withdrawn.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

If there's an issue, it's that Rhys's voice doesn't appear often enough, although the instrumental interludes--Chop Sop, Dylan's Demons--are typically quirky and inventive. [Nov 2016, p.113]

Gallows is less significant than its predecessor, but it often sounds more urgent. [Oct 2012, p.100]

Tremendous fun while it lasts, but hard to recall once the tracer lines have faded away. [Feb 2020, p.110]

Unlikely to win any new converts then, Pylon still remains a triumph of wilful perversity. [Jan 2016, p.113]

To hard-hitting R&B and funk akin to God Foot-era James Brown, Jones can strip paint and soothe with equal aplomb. [Dec. 2011 p. 129]

This is indie rock with plenty of funk, snaking basslines and wah-wah guitar. [May 2009, p.119]

Despite this concession to orthodoxy [recording in a real music studio], King Of The Beach retains much of his summery charm, the sun-kissed pop-punk choruses concealing lyrics seething with self-loathing, alongside slices of blissed-out pop in style of labelmates Beach House. [Sep 2010, p.123]

While there is much to admire, some of the wilfully discordant tunes grate on subsequent listens. [Nov 2008, p.107]

It's not particularly pretty in places, but it is a hellishly good time. [Apr 2014, p.110]

The follow-up adds a little of their own personality and comes submerged in a refreshingly bratty wall of noise. [May 2013, p.107]

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

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

Attempts to obscure the paucity of decent songs with endless guitar wittering. [Apr 2003, p.102]

This is music so guarded it's all but impenetrable. [Apr 2007, p.117]

Whilte thoughtfully put together, Push The Heart is hardly a venture into uncharted territory. [Apr 2006, p.119]

Heralds a move from mine-shaft fug to West Coast freeway haze. [Jun 2005, p.120]