Another extraordinary Decemberists album.

This time there's less gimmickry, more sympathy for the words and melodies. Harris... has crafted 11 profound, graceful poems that rank with the best songs she's ever recorded.

Thanks to the stellar backup band, E's husky voice and sad stories become all the more desperately lovely. [25 Feb 2006]

With such a variety of moods and sounds, "S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D." turns out to be the rarest of albums: able to make you think but more interested in making you dance.

Because the disc's energetic blend of electronics, robotics, and riffage is so vivacious, it hardly matters that the shadows of Radio 4's predecessors loom large over "Gotham."

A crowning achievement.

There hasn't been this entertaining or hard-rocking an Aerosmith album since who-knows-when.

If it's true that music of this nature doesn't get anymore heartfelt, it also rarely gets more infectious.

Like many great albums, "Original Pirate Material" wasn't meant to be adored in an instant, so don't let your first impressions fool you. This cat's the real deal.

One of the year's best.

There isn't a dud among this project's 11 tracks, each of which sounds custom-made for radio.

The Black Keys play the kind of raw, sensual blues-rock that makes you want to hide your girlfriend and warn your mom.

A subtle masterpiece...

Swirling, throbbing and altogether great. [19 Nov 2005]

The most ambitious and most fully realized album of his career.

"Son" is yet another triumph for Molina, who continues to distinguish herself as one of the most innovative electronic artists today.

Finds her pushing her already considerable talents to new heights.

Musically and lyrically the album is thoughtful and mature.

A remarkable debut by a band full of raw energy. [25 Feb 2006]

From note one, the listener is hermetically sealed into Chosen Darkness' unique musical universe where overdriven bass leads, pinpoint guitar lines and ominous synths hit with maximum impact.

Seamless without being monotonous, "Buzzcocks" is punk rock for grownups, teenagers, and everyone in between, without pandering or becoming a caricature of itself.

Perfectly imperfect and totally fearless, this may well be McGraw's crowning achievement in a career already studded with success.

Flecked at every turn with Kozelek's unique interpretive bent, "Tiny Cities" is a triumph.

Smith's vision is as rapturous as ever, and it receives its most focused, impassioned treatment here.

Fresh and imaginative, "Anything" is one intoxicating recording.

That smile will have a difficult time leaving your face.

His most inspired effort in years.

"Geogaddi" finds the Scottish duo ever adept at pushing the boundaries of electronic music without abandoning the hypnotically pacific nature of their sound.