High Life has none of its predecessor's busy, over-caffeinated temperament. [Aug 2014, p.73]

"It's A Common Life" is haunted by the ghost of Snapper, a sort of Antipodean Suicide, while the likes of "I Had The Starring Role" and "What Gets Me By" recall the prettier moments of Straitjacket Fits and Bailter Space. [Sep 2013, p.95]

The development in their songwriting is dramatic. [Jul 2006, p.90]

Morrissey's rather affectless delivery drains any celebratory urge from "Grease." But "Sunday Morning" is a triumph. [Feb 2017, p.33]

Skip the sanctimonious turns by vegan singer-songwriters and there's enough here to make it worthwhile. [Dec 2014, p.83]

This lush hybrid of electronica, jazz and modern classical forms is one of the most beautiful accidents in Ripatti's long and prolific career. [Feb 2015, p.84]

Songs like “Spanish Steps” and the title track recall the lo-fi sound of her critically lauded ’90s albums, while “Ba Ba Ba” and “Good Side” embrace the polish of her critically denounced 2000s albums. [Jul 2021, p.33]

Sentimental yet experimental, ii suggests Liima could be the band Efterklang always wanted to be. [May 2016, p.75]

Occasionally, N*E*R*D edge a little closer to staccato nu-metal than fans fo their inventive music might appreciate. [May 2002, p.105]

Lyrically, he hasn't lost the Archer's edge--the sonic tenderness through which such sentiments are conveyed, however, is reflective of a wisdom that comes with hindsight and forgiveness. [Oct 2018, p.24]

The potency of Adams' guitar-playing is familiar enough, but he also emerges for the first time s a fine singer, with a deep nd bluesy growl which bears the influence of his years backing Plant. [Dec 2021, p.23]

At times they sound as if they are seeking to recreate The Clash, before suddenly erupting into jagged film-score strings (“Blue Kite”). [Aug 2024, p.32]

Certainly a claustrophobic listen, and not for the faint-hearted. [Feb 2021, p.25]

Subtle it is not, but it's thrilling, adrenaline-pumping stiff that's fun as it is angry. [Apr 2026, p.29]

An unapologetic confection of lush overstatement. [Jul 2016, p.67]

Snaxx is more informal collection of sample-based miniatures that sound like the architectural blueprints for larger hip-hop epics. [Aug 2019, p.32]

The superior [of the two albums]. [Dec 2004, p.142]

The songs on 151a are most notable for their beautiful bursts of melody and soaring tunefulness. [Jun 2012, p.158]

These essentially dour, '90s synth sounds aren't an obvious nirvana, though, but a wounded vocal sensitivity sometimes suggesting Midlake and Harp's Tim Smith, and deceptively crafted lyrics, add complexity to the prayers for peace. [Jul 2024, p.39]

The band's most orchestral album yet. [Jan 2021, p.25]

Tracks like "Reticence," "Chrome Rose," and "I Was You" don't quite live up to their off-kilter introductions, but "Exploit Me" is a magnificent mix of Krautrock drones, sluggish tom-toms and a drunken vocal pitched somewhere between Mark E Smith, Nick Cave and Shane MacGowan. [Nov 2015, p.76]

Leonard has whipped another rabbit out of his hat. The surprise is that it's his most conventional release yet. [Dec 2018, p.27]

As sublime as much of Instrumental Tourist is, it rarely fulfills that promise of improvisation, of a real sonic engagement or play, and struggles to exceed the sum of its parts.

Dan Hyndman supplies a reliably cryptic stream of absurdist prattle, though his decision to stick with largely adlibbed lyrics robs Down Tools of some of the force and focus of last year’s excellent Lines Redacted. [Aug 2022, p.30]

If Sheff's still finding the best way to speak this newly direct, loving language, its naked conviction is touchingly plain. [Jun 2018, p.33]

The psychedelic delirium of the music is all we really need to know. [Nov 2022, p.29]

Shame about the occasional guest vocals, which veer a touch drab compared to their glittering backdrops. [Jul 2016, p.78]

Arnold's voice is as rich as ever on this upbeat, triumphant return to the spotlight, crystal clear and cutting straight to the heart. [Sep 2019, p.23]