It's not just the songs that have improved, but also their delivery. [May 2007, p.115]

Too often proceedings feel half-baked. [May 2007, p.123]

They appear to have found their level: one of rock's best-kept secrets. [May 2007, p.124]

Whether psychedelic riffing or crooning over strings, theirs is top-notch garage pop. [May 2007, p.126]

Who would want another version of We Shall Not Be Moved is, surely, debatable, but elsewhere the results are more persuasive. [May 2007, p.129]

A dramatic, wide-screen, expertly executed, even genuinely executed thrilling rock record worthy of an audience way beyond nu-prog’s regular constituency. [Apr 2007]

While elegantly arranged and rendered with passion, this is unlikely to convert those deaf to formulaic Americana. [Apr 2007, p.117]

You sense that once this entertaining diversion is done, it will be back to the real business. [Apr 2007, p.112]

It's about 15 minutes and three songs too long. [May 2007, p.117]

An impressive set. [May 2007, p.123]

Occasionally they stumble upon something magical... but they only highlight the paucity of ideas elsewhere. [May 2007, p.123]

Oozing with dark passion, Nux Vomica is very Nick Cave. [Oct 2006, p.127]

The old Jarvis Cocker is back. [Dec 2006, p.130]

While lyrically Kings Of Leon remain underdeveloped, how they've grown musically. [May 2007, p.119]

Both the Reid brothers' nice and nasty sides are represented. [May 2007, p.128]

Despite spicy production it's really all squeaky-clean. [May 2007, p.124]

Electronic music is seldom this engaging or characterful. [Apr 2007, p.121]

Tidy enough indie pop, though the glowstick remains unwaved. [Feb 2007, p.99]

For newcomers to Smith's wonderful and frightening world it's a good introduction. [Mar 2007, p.111]

This is serious fun. [Mar 2007, p.106]

It's all doom and gloom, and it ain't pretty. [May 2007, p.125]

The record is righteously dominated by Gray's larger-than-life presence. [May 2007, p.127]

Sloppy, emotion-free, chicken-in-a-basket ballads. [May 2007, p.125]

Even if she sometimes strays into down-home schmaltz, the world of alt-folk would be poorer without her. [Apr 2007, p.122]

It is, triumphantly, among the most camp mainstream pop records ever made. [Mar 2007, p.113]

This is hollow, pretentious and deeply dull music. [Apr 2007, p.116]

A mixed bag. [Apr 2007, p.117]

Not only do the rhythms here sound tighter and more intensely focused, Murphy's presence as a songwriter and frontman is a revelation. [Apr 2007, p.110]