It's often bleak fare, but it's also compulsive stuff. [Jan 2008, p.105]

Anyone believing that Bush betrayed grunge's punk promise will feel like reaching for a shotgun. [Aug 2008, p.135]

It's business as usual rather than a breakthrough. [Nov 2007, p.138]

Expansive opener, 'Crocidile' finds them locked into the pulsing techno groove that made 'Born Slippy' so maddeningly addictive. [Nov 2007, p.148]

Stylistically, it's all over the place, but he doesn't deserve to fall this time round. [June 2008, p.145]

Her music is much the same as on her 1999 debut "Black Diamond," dulled by a surplus of smooth, bass-heavy slow jams. [Dec 2007, p.124]

Crucially, her songwriting has deepened and matured. [Nov 2007, p.146]

Once again, Radiohead have proven themselves priceless. [Dec 2007, p.107]

There's commendable variety among these 17 tracks, but little that rises above the mediocre. [Oct 2007, p.98]

Any charges of cultural tourism are rebuffed by the magnificence of the music. [Nov 2007, p.142]

Its surreal mix of chamber-pop, electro-funk and avant-garde noise is well executed, but it's so scatter shot, that, ultimately, it frustrates. [Nov 2007, p.137]

There's little spark, despite her admirable willingness to take chances. [Nov 3007, p.147]

From the anthem-like 'Ode To LRC to the sanguine finale of 'Window Blues,' this is beautifully paced and utterly beguiling. [Dec 2007, p.112]

His knowing delivery is laboured and the relentless schmaltz proves difficult to stomach over a whole album. [Nov 2007, p.141]

A willfully dumb concoction of crotch-grabbing Southern rock workouts and boneheaded strip-joint anthems. [Dec 2007, p.121]

Comicopera is a cornicopia. [Nov 2007, p.148]

Though more than pastiche, it's not pop genius yet either. [Aug 2006, p.114]

This is easily her best album in 20 years. [Oct 2007, p.105]

Magic's problem is that the two Bruces don't sit together comfortably. [Nov 2007, p.132]

The sugary 'Fever Dreams' and 'Little Bombs' sound threadbare, while glib homilies would shame the writers of Hallmark cards. [Dec 2007, p.115]

A risible attempt to recapture long-vanished glories. [Nov 2007, p.137]

It's a solid return. [Nov 2007, p.137]

The songs aren't quite up to the mark. You can't fault the performances though. [Dec 2007, p.121]

It's messy, it takes time to sink in, but it's worth it. [Sep 2007, p.100]

It's so alluring you have no choice but to follow. [Oct 2007, p.98]

Each of these tracks makes the case for Foo Fighters' horizons successfully expanding, in the way the acoustic side of "In Your Honor" didn't. [Oct 2007, p.87]

Like quicksand, it's subtle, surprising and utterly absorbing. [Oct 2007, p.98]

Intriguing though Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon is, it remains unclear how he and his peculiar talent will thrive out there. [Oct 2007, p.104]