A sophisticated gentleman does a poo.

The new record sees him pushing his songbook to extremes in entirely unexpected fashion.

US production whiz hires SFA mainman, perfect pastiche synth-pop ensues.

Comprising 11 beautifully varied trad numbers, The Rocky Road is a big-hearted tribute to the enduring power of Irish folk songs.

Electro-pop wizards deliver cracking third album.

West crosses genres with wilful and speedy abandon, taking the listener on an epic quest where the journey is just as enjoyable and unpredictable as the destination.

The group have kept their sound surprisingly fresh incorporating some welcome sonic refinements, without making any great creative leap or departure.

And as folksiness, indieness and bittersweet mournfulness set the tone, it also becomes apparent that this is much better than the words ‘folk’ and ‘indie’ on their own suggest.

Astonishing new album from ex-Immediate wunderkind.

Piano playing songwriter straight out of a ‘70s dinner party.

Chicago duo ride to the rescue of hip-hop--on pimped up BMXs.

They do make em' like this anymore.

Fogerty sets high standards for himself and thankfully, he has delivered an album that matches his early solo work.

Canadian sisters examine love's deceitful ways.

In almost every respect, Made In The Dark is an immaculately poised record, the poptronica super geeks at last striking the perfect balance between head and heart.

Jason Isbell, formerly of the Drive By Truckers, releases a solid, sad, gritty new album as a solo artist.

By eschewing the careworn vulnerability so favoured by many female artists, Veirs allows her remarkable songcraft and ornate use of language to shine.

Erudite, Whiskey-Soaked, alt countryish maverick just keeps getting better.

Dirty dance-diva bundles new EP with reissued album.

Metallica certainly have a lot to prove with Death Magnetic, the follow-up to 2003’s "St. Anger," an album which divided the critics and the band’s own audience.

80s-centric brooklyn trio deliver complex second album.

Great ambitious, hyper-real psychedelia.

There are some excellent moments.

The first new material from New York’s finest avant garde trio since last year’s superb Show Your Bones album, Is Is isn’t a new album, unfortunately.

Good, not great, comeback from epic Mancs.

Trees Outside The Academy is a masterclass of prog drugginess, brimming with sweet melodies and lullaby choruses.

If the last 10 years have taught us anything, it's that Super Furry Animals march resolutely to their own quixotic beat.

A sparkling return to form for a band regarded by many as the great lost hope of the early ‘90s.