While 'Caskets' and 'Coats Of Ice' evoke Eels at their most melodic, the tedious 'Gillian Was A Horse' belongs in the knackers' yard. [Nov 2008, p.117]

Me and Armini isn't an immediate record--it's too opaque, too guarded for that--but as it gives up its secrets, it slowly moves its stuff into your mind, a strange cuckoo in the musical nest. [Oct 2008, p.151]

Dull production and a workmanlike band let her down on the rockier numbers, but if Desveaux ever finds the right arranger the sky is her only limit. [Oct 2008, p.147]

On a concept album about felleing sad and lonely in clubland, and the instrumental flash is balanced out by forlorn lyrics. [Oct 2008, p.149]

'I Heard Wonders' and the title track are standouts, blissed-out epics suggestive of U2 tangling with 'The Jesus And Mary Chain,' while instrumentals 'Story Of The Ink' and 'Theme/IMC' radiate desolate beauty. [Oct 2008, p.147]

If the closing tracks' chaotic guitars comes close to unlistenability, many fine moments beforehand make forgiveness easy. [Oct 2008, p.142]

Intriguing as this glimpse behind the curtain is, it's hard to imagine many purchasers playing the entire EBW disc more than once. The same might even be said about Brotherhood itself. [Oct 2008, p.156]

HIs fourth album is a step up from the patchy "Awfully Deep." [Oct 2008, p.150]

The end result is 10 songs that switch direction with ear-pricking regularity and generally avoid the sub-Oasis ladrock you might have expected Ifans to churn out. [Oct 2008, p.143]

The lascivious lyrics have gone, replaced by monotone melancholic musings on love and loss that initially grate, but actually compliment the minimalist cello and piano arrangements. [Oct 2008, p.139]

Rootsy San Diego five-piece Delta Spirit's debut is a thought provoking surprise. [Apr 2009, p.102]

The atypical melodic 'English Rose' aside, there's little to distingusih Motorizer from its 19 predecessors. [Oct 2008, p.149]

This is his best in aeons. [Nov 2008, p.121]

Sunny melodies abound, even if the results are more pleasant than thrilling. [Aug 2008, p.139]

The songs sizzle merrily, but the whole is less than the sum of its parts, and the relentlessness becomes wearing. [Oct 2008, p.139]

They're all set to limber pop that draws on the more understated aspects of both indie rock and dance, with Li's one-off personality a delight throughout. [July 2008, p.107]

This effervescent debut seems determined to shake off the tragedy. [Oct 2008, p.150]

This fourth album is all the better for its subdued tone, mining its own strain of sozzled melancholia via underwater guitars, waltzing rhythms and lyrics steeped in wistful regret. [Nov 2008, p.123]

They may have no defining sound of their own, but they're admirable recyclers. [Oct 2008, p.141]

Compentent and glossy, Oceans Will Rise sounds like a lot of effort has been expended for a rather meager retuyrn. [Dec 2008, p.135]

It may ultimately be as disposable as dime-store popping candy, its sugar rush still hits the spot. [Nov 2008, p.107]

This solid--if unspectacular--sixth managed a very respectable Number 3 (on the Billboard charts). [Nov 2008, p.107]

Producer Joe Henry has softened the originals' raw edges without compromising their acidic content. [Oct 2008, p.152]

His pure delivery--he scales the heights, but never over-sings--and cryptic/mystic worldview are still the main attractions. [Dec. 2008, p.100]

Licensed to offend, he's as pumped-up and provocative as ever. [Nov 2008, p.121]

Wearing their influences as badges of honour, the New Jersey quartet blast out affecting, soulful punk rock strewn with bitterweet memories of small-town blue-collar America. [Sep 2008]

This broadens his musical palette, with digi-dub, moody techno and deranged dubstep adding weight to Martin's winning sonic menagerie. [Aug 2008, p.132]

Fasciination is supposed to sum up their entire ethos, then it is as a quasi-futuristic act wrapped in BacoFoil. [Nov 2008, p.114]