They exhale the kind of swirling 'perfect pop' that was the default setting of late '80s Creation releases, leaning into the crosswinds of Fairport-era folk-rock. [May 2005, p.100]

In short, dense, mesmerising, involving. [Oct 2013, p.63]

Sigur Ros' alien beauty prescribes its own definition. [Oct 2005, p.112]

It’s her voice, always expressive and active, that anchors even the wildest experiments, whether it’s the children’s choir at the end of the title track or the ratatat rhythms of “Obligation”. [Apr 202, p.32]

Presented largely stripped of 1967 production values – acoustic folk with a bit of reverb – but still sound innately lysergic. [Sep 2024, p.33]

All expertly tied together by Tuttle's rare gift for nuance and colour. [Aug 2023, p.28]

Laudably, unfussy. [Feb 2020, p.35]

Hanson has imbued this LP with a thematic and musical cohesiveness that makes it the finest record of his career to date.

Crunching glam riffs, foot-stamping choruses and lip-smacking vocals - delivered with trademark gusto by Bob Geldof. [Apr 2020, p.25]

Rowdy, vivid, moving and playful, The Felice Brothers is just glorious.

Captivatingly widescreen stuff. [May 2025, p.27]

This very fine third album carries much of Okkervil River or The Decemberists in its piquant narratives, though the banjo-led music is more akin to the erudite hillbilly-folk of Jim White or even The Be Good Tanyas. [Apr 2013, p.73]

The bristling performances more closely resemble the solo piano excursions of such post-bop masters as Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett, which s no bad thing at all. [Aug 2020, p.33]

This is a satisfying strange listen. [Jul 2016, p.75]

Art Brut's fourth album marries attractively sloppy garage-rock riffing to boozy bad-sex confessionals and bittersweet self-examination. [Jun 2011, p.77]

The rest of Tripper rises to the challenge with nonchalant ease. [Sep 2011, p.87]

Unfussy yet poetic. [Aug 2019, p.31]

Supremely satisfying comeback album. [Jul 2023, p.36]

A finely crafted mood piece rewarding deep immersion. [Dec 2017,p.25]

This is a terrific, sustained album. [Aug 2006, p.93]

Entirely irresistible. [Aug 2023, p.33]

More surprising, perhaps, is the gorgeous, toe-tapping soul-pop of “Step Into Your Power”, which brings to mind Matthew E White and may just be the best song Lamontagne has written since 2004’s “Trouble”. [Sep 2024, p.36]

Rose channels longing and romantic despair via expansive songs that owe much to the feel of classic country from the '60s and '70s. [Apr 2021, p.26]

At first, Fade sounds like more of the same--which is no bad thing. Stick with it, and the influence of producer (Tortoise') John McEntire becomes apparent. [Feb 2013, p.81]

These Varsailles dwellers make records that initially seem like delicately generic powerpop, but gradually emerge as vivid, bittersweet epiphanies. [Jun 2009, p.99]

A cohesive, strong statement as well as an exciting one. [Dec 2022, p.30]

To be filed alongside the Root's recent Phrenology. [Mar 2003, p.95]

This wildly varied collection begins with their first release in 2002, "No Pasaran" about the Spanish Civil War, and include treats such as "Dream Come True," a self-released 7" given away at gigs, which sounds like Henry Rollins singing the "Grease "soundtrack while vomiting marbles. Yes, it's that good. [Feb 2010, p.84]