Their sound is now driven by a dark undertow, with heavy psych-rock and muscly R&B inflections. [May 2006, p.119]

It's gorgeous, and though its 27 minutes may seem slight at first, that's somehow perfect for the songs' capture of moments in the life, singing melancholy and joy in equal measure. [Jan 2018, p.21]

Even if Howes favours an almost cosy retro futurism, the results are unpretentious and often lovely. [Feb 2016, p.77]

All are delivered with a raw and earthy folk spirit that eschews prettiness, laced with electric guitar tropes of which Richard Thompson would be proud. [May 2017, p.28]

Their reformation record is a surprisingly substantial pleasure. [Apr 2019, p.36]

Glass Riffer dials back the bold orchestrations of 2012's America in favour of a rapturous electronic pop with Deacon's voice pushed upfront. [Mar 2015, p.75]

Often have a touch of the Broadway musical to them, but some are great. .... But it's only on "When This Old World Is Done With ME", a hymnal elegy where a weary-sounding Elton accompanies himself on piano, that we get a glimpse of genuine emotion. [Apr 2025, p.32]

All up, a convincing shift. [May 2016, p.73]

For the first time, Toth wrote the melodies before the lyrics, the result is a set of lush, free-born soundscapes, yet without any diminution in his narrative powers. [Jul 2017, p.40]

Album number three enlarges their sonic palette with piano, dobro and touches of strings and woodwind but maintains the same folksy charm. [Apr 2012, p.71]

What's particularly impressive is the way their distinctive approaches combine. [Jul 2019, p.33]

Drummer and percussionist Adrienne Davies again lays down a solid foundation for Carlson's slow motion riffage on instrumentals that eschew the more ornate sensibility of recent efforts in favour of a leaner, meaner kind of swagger. [Jun 2019, p.27]

It frequently sounds terrific. [Apr 2002, p.104]

While nothing new, a hypnotic hum and gently insistent melody sees them through. [Aug 2003, p.102]

It's a dense, courageous storm of an album, revved-up and snarling. [Jul 2016, p.73]

The self-assured swagger that enlivens the 17-track ush! emanates from the focuses attack of the band members, whose playing thrums with attitude. [Mar 2023, p.32]

A Distant Call is full of songs that are pretty good, but it rarely stops you in your tracks. [Oct 2019, p.36]

Sardonic opener “Down From London” showcases Caravan’s pop smarts, while they make complex fun on the title track, exploding into Steve Hillage-style Euro-rock around the nine-minute mark. [Dec 2021, p.25]

Despite the band’s unabashed borrowing, it’s hard to deny a song as huge as “Sweet”; the record’s obvious smarts and dynamic wallop carry it. [Jul 2024, p.31]

It's gritty and urgent, but the powerful lead vocals are melodic and traditional, and the lyrics eloquent. [Aug 2012, p.75]

As odd and beautiful as it is thoughtful and contemplative. [Dec 2020, p.39]

Continues their quest to reunite as many of the myriad splinters of pop music on each track as possible. [Sep 2001, p.87]

The resultant raggedy, in-the-moment feel suits the Neil Young-ish "Show Me" and harmonica-hinged "Guardian Well," as well as "I've Got Reason," less so "Feel It All," which drags its feet over five minutes. "Lost A year" is a sax-assisted winner, though. [Nov 2019, p.24]

Mostly, he comes across as a one-man Arcade Fire. [Jan 2013, p.79]

Williams, subtly shadowed by Anthony da Costa's harmonies, delivers elegantly inflective performances on these bittersweet. deeply affecting contemplations of love lost and regained. [Jun 2019, p.37]

Cardinal's fine harmonized vocals and muzzy, Byrds-like melodies are still intact. [Apr 2012, p.73]

Froot is another big, unabashed pop album astutely balanced with sufficient melancholy and restraint to stop it from all getting too Katy Perry. [May 2015, p.77]

I Quit is at its best when the trio juice up old tactics with a jolt of the new. [Aug 2025, p.31]