Ashcroft's ornery, sometimes conspiratorial resentment of authority and spiritually minded uplift feel of the moment. [Nov 2025, 28]

In the ugliest way possible Invaders Must Die shows that the Prodigy have still got it.

It's essentially a pop record--albeit a complex and cleverly arranged one. [Apr 2007, p.115]

It's over-polished and lacks excitement. [Jun 2007, p.119]

Brisk playing compensates for some unremarkable songs. [Sep 2002, p.103]

There's mammoth hooks and meaningful shouting galore here. [Jul 2007, p.116]

St Jude proves that there is much more to The Courteeners than first meets to the eye.

Inherit strips back rock, baring its constituent parts without flourish or fanfare. [Aug 2008, p.93]

Listening to this is like being followed home by a puppy--initially cute and guilelessly affecting, but rapidly irritating. [July 2008, p.104]

A huge disappointment.

Generally Strangeland is all too familiar fare. [Jun 2012, p.77]

The result is a confusing confection that plays out like "Anti-Capitalism: The Musical." [Jan 2009, p.96]

An album which is a little too anodyne, but redeemed by an engagingly human warmth and unforced sincerity. [Jan 2013, p.83]

Cool to the touch, but vanilla sweet as well. [Nov 2014, p.76]

He successfully channels Sam Cooke, especially on "We Don't Sleep" but the album's length and lo-fi production makes Bye Bye 17 appear disconcertingly slight. [Jun 2013, p.74]

It has a peculiar charm. [May 2011, p.77]

The Orwells ape highlights of the last 25 years of indie rock on their second album. [Aug 2014, p.78]

This is a larger-sounding, less homespun set than thte sisters' previous two albums. [May 2007, p.102]

Having grabbed attention for their collaboration with Jenny Lewis on "Rabbit Fur Coat," then their own "Fire Songs," this takes a bold shift in direction. [Mar 2010, p.104]

It strives shamelessly for the widescreen appeal of U2's Big Music. [Aug 2006, p.88]

A gleaming set of R&B, pop, bedroom soul and even reggae. [Sep 2005, p.112]

Witty, tragi-comic lyrics layered over busy beats, strings and electronic flourishes which never sacrifice intimacy. [Nov 2005, p.114]

Vito Deluca indulges himself on his outstanding debut. [Oct 2010, p.104]

Solid, competent stuff, but it's difficult, but it's difficult to imagine anyone wanting to listen to this in isolation. [Dec 2011, p.89]

It only reveals its strengths after a dozen or more plays. [Nov 2004, p.112]

File under Banal Guru Pop. [Jul 2015, p.78]

It's hard going, but one can only applaud the ambition. [Jun 2010, p.83]

On its own merits, rather a hoot. [Jan 2011, p.83]