The live material shows the band in their element, even if the limitations of Johnson's voice are exposed, flawless performances of "Hells Bells" and "Live Wire" explaining why they're still one of the most thrilling live acts. [Jan 2010, p.131]

Bibio's Warp debut, Ambivalence Avenue, is one of the stealth albums of 2009, its pastoral psychedelia reminiscent of Super Furry Animals idly punting with Boards of Canada. [Jan 10, p. 118]

It's the sinuous, propulsive bass of Malka Spigel (Newman's wife and co-founder of the Swim~label) that takes centre stage, never more so than on instrumental opener Faster, the first of several tracks to invoke the ghost of New order. [Jan 2010, p. 119]

Only Revolutions has enough in the way of nous, intelligence and tunes to broaden their audience immeasurably. [Dec 2009, p.122]

Freed from the expectation of neatly crafted songs, Goddard gets in touch with his dance roots on a collection of largely instrumental grooves. [Jan 2010, p. 119]

He may have followed the aspiring bedroom producer's now-established route from blog favourite to remixer (for Yeah Yeah Yeahs), but the solo debut of Dayve Hawk, former frontman for post-punks Hail Social, is anything but predictable. [Jan 2010, p. 122]

'Ludow St' is lyrically smart, musically ambitious, more than any other track on Phrazes, it makes you wonder, if not regret, why the Strokes themselves never pushed the boat out this far. For that reason alone, it was worth Casablancas making this intriguing if imperfect record. [Nov 2009, p.98]

The tunes come think and fast, but their geeky adolescent routine is wearing thin. [Jan 2010, p. 126]

It's almost worth it for the titles alone. [Dec 2009, p. 136]

More of the same, then, but such cold-blooded consistency should be commended. [Dec 2009, p. 126]

Bleach's grooviness is intrinsic to its enduring appeal, just as much as the cankerous layers of noise. [Dec 2009, p.128]

Thirty years since first making her entrance as the distaff Tom Waits, Rickie Lee Jones still sounds utterly unique. [Dec 2009, p. 126]

In time-honoured, do-it-yourself fashion, their debut Introducing breathlessly races through 10 buzzy tracks in a shade over 23 minutes, by which time they've long since run out of puff. [Feb 2010, p. 112]

His synapse-fusing take on acid-house, however, first showcased on 2005's OK Cowboy, reamins an underground phenomenon--this sequel won't alter that. [Nov 2009, p.114]

As a live document of The Rollling Stones in all their swaggering, arrogant pomp, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out is damned near essential. [Jan 2010, p.131]

Vocal harmonies, graceful pianos and psychedelic guitars keep the eco messages of Light Years and Dreamin persuasive rather than preachy, making Escape 2 Mars an impressive throwback to the "daisy age' of early De La Soul. [Feb 2010, p. 107]

Much of Greatest Hits will be familiar to people who've never heard a Foo Fighters album before: indeed, these are precisely the people it's aimed at. Like all such, Greatest Hits fulfills a function for fans too. [Dec 2009, p.134]

Utterly cinematic, it owes as much to Vangelis's Blade Runner soundtrack as derrick May's minimal techno. [Jan 2010, p. 120]

But while their second album is lyrically all quiet desperation, boasting such giveaway titles as Once I Was Pretty and The Disappearance Of My Youth, musically it's an altogether more uplifting proposition of stately A-ha styled synth-pop. [Feb 2010, p. 112]

Mark this down as the point which we can say with certainty for the first time Devendra Banhart is here for the long run. [Nov 2009, p.113]

Live At The Olympia more than stands up as a vital, vibrant document in its own right. [Dec 2009, p.118]

His debut album is a brilliantly inventive collision of '80s golden-era hip-hop, Aphex Twin-style beats and pop melodies that wouldn't be out of place on an OutKast record. [Nov 2009, p.107]

Wolfmother 2.0 are as retro as before, at least there's a refreshing variety to the bludgeoning. [Nov 2009, p.115]

Mostly, syrupy arrangements and obscure song choices spoil the flow. [Apr 2010, p.119]

While impeccably executed, as ever, a little more warmth and a little less ego wouldn't have gone amiss. [Dec 2009, p. 126]

If there is a highlight on this surprisingly dog-free set it's Fight For This Love, where soaring melody piles upon soaring melody without sacrificing its subtle grace. [Dec 2009, p. 121]

A third-eye dilator to be sure, but surprisingly easy to groove to. [Jul 2009, p.131]

There's a lot going on, but Welch never confuses breadth with depth. [Aug 2009, p.98]