Hold Time cements his status as one of America's best roots songwriters. [Mar 2009, p.105]

Entertaining though these tracks are, it's hard not to wish that he could ignore the buzzing irritations of not being universally adored, all the time, forever, and concentrate on the big picture. [Mar 2009, p.90]

Post-hardcore pioneers Thursday have responded to the end of their major-label adventure by producing their most consistent body of work to date. [Mar 2009, p.93]

Trail Of dead have kept faith with their traditional mix of prog pomp and grunge power for their sixth album. [Apr 2009, p.97]

They remain most compelling when Hanna lets rip, as on the propulsive, grinding 'Me & Mary.' [Mar 2009, p.93]

It's by nature a patchwork, but boasts more hits than misses. [Mar 2009, p.98]

It's their most melodically accomplished and wide-ranging effort yet. [Apr 2009, p.111]

A little too heavily indebted to fellow Aussies Nick Cave and The Triffids' late David McComb, even if that's not a bad place to be coming form. [Mar 2009, p.105]

At her best, on the eerie 'Every Path,' she's mesmeric enough to lure ships onto rocks, but come the inevitable 'Later...With Jools Holland' appearance, older viewers may be forgiven for thinking Dolores O'Riordan has changed dramatically. [Mar 2009, p.96]

Despite such big hitters as Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens and Arcade Fire, it's an overly introspective affair, with little standing out bar contributions from The Decemberists and Dave Sitek. [Mar 2009, p.102]

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]

The Mountain boys at the--ahem--peak of their powers. [Apr 2009, p.107]

Although just 26 minutes long, it's an unexpected triumph. [Apr 2009, p.115]

It's certainly not a consistent album, but the best of it is unique and intriguing. [Apr 2009, p.102]

Allen keeps it reliably real. [Mar 2009, p.92]

By the time he gets to the whiskey-soaked lament 'Whispered Words' you'll be wishing you had a back porch. [Mar 2009, p.93]

The sunny, country-ish melodies of opener 'Beathless' and 'Savorin' Your Smile' aren't quite matched by her limited voice, but when some darkness descends, as on 'Pictures Of You,' her perky nature adds a bittersweet twist to the added emotional weight. [mar 2009, p.104]

While the musical backing is occasionally sweeter than it is memeorable, Moss's narrative lyricism saves the day resulting in a rich debut that provokes fresh thoughts with each listen.

Houck's trip through Nelson's 60-plus albums shows such love and attention the great man himself could only approve of such hangover gems as 'I Gotta Get Drunk.' [Mar 2009, p.101]

His hard-hitting electro is basic, but brutally effective dancefloor fare. [Feb 2009, p.119]

The new problem is a lack of texture: in aiming for big hooks and big bucks, they've thrown variety out the window. [Jun 2009, p.134]

Sea Sew exudes the sort of simple, homespun charm that many strive to achieve but so few succeed in pulling off. [Jun 2009, p.123]

12 songs of charming inconsequence that briefly make the world a slightly better place. [Mar 2009, p.105]

A Fool For Everyone is serviceble moan-rock that only splutters to life when he slips into angular, Tom Verlaine guitar-playing mode. [May 2009, p.119]

If you like Sufjan Steven's lushly orchestrated reveries, you'll love this canadian eight-piece, who come across on their ambitious second album like an indie-folk Arcade Fire. [Mar 2009, p.105]

Which Bitch? is a blaze of glory. [Mar 2009, p.103]

There's plenty of evidence on Tonight... of attempts at broadening their palette, but it's usually by substituting jerky guitar for jerky synthesizer as the lead instrument. [Feb 2009, p.110]

His first proper UK release is a treat, at times conjuring the beautiful, stark bleakness of Nick Drake, elsewhere not afraid to crank things up. [Feb 2009, p.119]