Many of [the debut's] ragged edges have been smoothed out, and in the process some of The Zutons' collective personality has gone. [May 2006, p.122]

As ever, The Outsider's production is immaculate. But by frontloading the album with forbidding hip hop, [Shadow] knows he's driving away the floating voter. [Sep 2006, p.106]

Generally there's a lightness here he'd do well to retain. [Oct 2006, p.118]

Tightly controlled melodic songs reminiscent of R.E.M. or The Velvet Underground. [Oct 2006, p.120]

Naysayers may write this off as a derivative mash up of early-'90s indie moves, but on Empire Kasabian have become bigger than the sum of their record collections. [Oct 2006, p.116]

He finally seems to be getting the hang of things. [Oct 2006, p.122]

For those prepared to dig in, it's another reliably rewarding listen. [Oct 2006, p.125]

Despite Our Differences bustles with invention, righteous anger and the typically sunshine harmonies. [Apr 2007, p.120]

This is Elton's best album since, well, Captain Fantastic. [Oct 2006, p.118]

The majority of tracks scream "poor old bored celeb." [Nov 2006, p.139]

Not quite as beautifully forlorn as 2003's Long Gone Before Daylight. [Nov 2005, p.123]

It's incontestably menopausal, but fairly dapper with it. [Oct 2006, p.122]

An album full of playful daring. [Aug 2006, p.115]

With nary a tune in earshot, it sounds like an explosion in a guitar shop. [Oct 2006, p.124]

Maybe if they had calmed down a bit, Crazy Itch Radio wouldn't be Basement Jaxx's fourth best album. [Oct 2006, p.126]

Here Greenspan takes a more direct approach, showcasing his feel for melody and melancholy to brilliant effect. [Oct 2006, p.125]

Ultimately, this is dour stuff reminiscent of a yogic Sting. [Dec 2006, p.138]

A serious let-down. [Oct 2006, p.119]

A set of forward-thinking pop reminiscent of Sign O' The Times-era Prince. [Oct 2006, p.115]

Their best since '95's Electr-O-Pura. [Oct 2006, p.127]

The Black Keys may have as much in common with the conventional '70s blues-rock of Canned Heat and Free as they do with the more left-field THe White Stripes. [Oct 2006, p.118]

While never quite as fiendish as its title suggests, it's certainly sinister. [Sep 2006, p.112]

Baffling, but exhilarating. [Nov 2006, p.144]

No band can survive on novelty alone, and Electric Six still thrive on parody rather than invention. [Dec 2006, p.134]

Perfect rainy day music. [Nov 2006, p.147]

Bracing stuff. [Oct 2006, p.127]

Harmless fun. [Nov 2006, p.149]

Out of step with the modern world. [Sep 2006, p.108]