She twangs the boundaries of taste both lyrically ("Take me on a genocide tour/Take me on a trip to Darfur") and musically. But a knockout's a knockout, however messy the bout.

The expanded set illustrates the inventiveness of their playing and the original template of their sound was a strong one--these were louder protest songs for a louder time. [Feb 2013, p.94]

It's a heavyweight set. ... In this music Badu sees a path to self-betterment, a chance to grow. [Feb 2018, p.48]

Bursting with warmth and character even when nearly tweaked beyond the point of recognition, Murphy's voice has rarely had a more satisfying showcase. [Oct 2023, p.31]

She's radio-ready with the first cut from Train On The Island. Taster single "One Stop" is the earworm of the album. [Jun 2026, p.24]

Emotions played out against a backdrop of upbeat, urbanised alt. folk and groovy pastoral soul. [Apr 2018, p.23]

A lovingly rendered family portrait. [Jul 2018, p.37]

Amid the superior pieces like "No Expectations" and more minor moments of parody and innuendo, jammed endings on songs like "Salt Of The Earth" embrace a real joy in improvisational ensemble playing. ... "Sympathy" also sits apart from the rest of the songs as a separate 12in, much as it towers above the rest of the songs on the album. [Jan 2019, p.40]

Every song here has its merits; there isn't a dud among them. [Oct 2019, p.40]

Listeners seeking more of those exquisite harmonies are well served by glorious opening track "Silver," among others. [Apr 2020, p.35]

If there are occasions when the rugged soloing gets a little bogged down in detail, there are many others where the trio achieve moments of adrenalising magic.

There's a purity to them that's as much a product of her spirit and artistic choices as a demo's function. ... The Demos in particular still overwhelms with its conviction and visceral wallop, almost 30 years on. [Sep 2020, p.47]

Either of Dwyer's bands would be a fine fit for Yonkers' primitive but inventive garage rock - best examples are the pummelling "sold America" and "The Thunder Speaks," both hyped-up takes on Yonkers' originals - but Damaged Bug are better equipped to tackle his more tender moments. [May 2020, p.26]

It may have been assembled as a lockdown stopgap, but Songs From An Old Guitar is overall glorious, a career highlight in a career full of them. [Feb 2021, p.47]

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]

An album that uses traditional African instrumentation and state-of-the-art electronica with a boldness that is extraordinary. [May 2023, p.31]

Supremely inviting, warm and ruefully radiant. .... A crown on a career still going strong. [May 2024, p.31]

A sublime composition. [Feb 2024, p.37]

An audacious vault into Depeche Mode and U2 territory. [Oct 2017, p.30]

Without sacrificing urgency, outrage or compassion, Alynda Lee Segarra gives these story-songs a light touch musically, favouring airy, even breezy arrangements driven by insistent drumbeats. [Mar 2022, p.31]

An album of hope and humour and beauty, Phantom Power is frequently as deep and mysterious as the title intimates. [Aug 2003, p.100]

These 10 songs feel bold, nourishing and emotionally resonant. [Nov 2016, p.34]

Musically, this is probably the richest collection of songs Vlautin has written.

The chronological sequencing, kicking off with the delightfully sloppy "Gardening At night" from the "Chronic Town" EP, charts a course from indie college jangle to pensive AOR, and tracks fro their latter days on the IRS label sparkle with eloquence and grandeur. [Jan 2012, p.96]

This four-CD box demonstrates Bedhead to be a band incapable of missteps. [Jan 2015, p.86]

There is so much on Nashville Obsolete that impresses, but what lingers longest is rare and persuasive ability to tap into the ageless mythos of true American folk. [Oct 2015, p.85]

The album works in isolation but maybe watch the film on Netflix first. ... Tonally, we're in the territory of Nebraska, Tom Joad and Devils & Dust, but there's also the deep romantic melancholic tones of Darkness and The Rising. [Feb 2018, p.18]

This is rebel music as passive resistance, blissfully embodying change. [Dec 2022, p.29]