Every so often an artist will release a debut record that has seemingly come from nowhere; you question where this person has been all your life, and how come it took so long for this to get out.

This is a showcase of a hugely important American artist at full power.

Rooty revels in exploiting rhythmic combinations that shouldn't work--but definitely do.

Taking all the best parts of Jeff Buckley, Devandra Barnhart and Rufus Wainwright, Bird can be noisy, charming, frivolous, haunting and playful all at once.

Sure, McKay is a sonic chameleon, but perhaps more important, she is one deft (and witty) songwriter/musician. [14 Jan 2006]

Retaining the naked simplicity of 2000's "We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes" while continuing to hone the more lush, hi-fi sound found on 2001's "The Photo Album," the fantastic "Transatlanticism" is full of the lovely melancholy for which Death Cab is known.

Never has the pair sounded more fresh and self-assured; nor has it delivered such a fully realized work before.

A daring yet accessible disc.

With the sonic reach of Pink Floyd and convincing, explosive pop in the vein of Rogue Wave and the Apples in Stereo, "Ta Det Lugnt" is thick with variety.

An album of uncommon intelligence.

Thought-provoking and masterful, God's Son finds Nas finally realizing his full potential as an MC.

Brilliance shines throughout. [11 Mar 2006]

Being sampled by Lemon Jelly on this astonishing new album is nothing less than an honor.

There are some truly fascinating marriages of old and new happening.... One of the best albums you'll hear this year.

Although 2002 is still young, consider Under Rug Swept one of the year's best.

The sound is bigger, the playing better, the lyrics sharper and the spirituality more compelling than anything the act has done in many years.

The trio has fine-tuned its sound, making it more complex and compelling. [14 Jan 2006]

"Electric Blue Watermelon" consistently demonstrates that they have arrived at a place where their special feel for hill country blues and their Southern rock sensibilities are in sync. [10 Sep 2005]

It's no wonder that visionary artists like Brian Eno and Tricky have welcomed the act with open arms. "Good Looking Blues" finds the group combining the best elements of its past... with bluesy horns, Jamaican beats, hip-hop drum loops, and avant-jazzy excursions.

A delicious, genre-defying sound

She is simply magnificent.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more adventurous and rewarding release this year.

Trail of Dead has made the album of its career.

It's only a matter of time before [this album] replaces Ray Lamontagne's "Trouble" as the best album Van Morrison never made.

For all of its forays into bluesy rock and glittery glam, though, "Real" draws heavily from New Wave's danceable side.

Not only does this album hum with the magic that endowed the pair's past hits ("Let's Stay Together"), it shows that talent isn't the sole realm of the young.

TSAC have spun their most lush and intricately produced long-player yet.... "Oui" wisely bumps the electronics to secondary status, giving the album a much more unified, live band feel missing from "The Fawn".... One of this year's most enjoyable albums.

This stellar, adventurous album just may be the best thing they've attempted since 1989's "The Mekons Rock'n'Roll."