Many of the songs meander, and the constant back-to-the-'60s vibe loses its charm. [#55, p.94]

After delivering a classic, Superdrag has returned with something just shy of that, but considering the quality here, no one has any right to spew complaints. [#55, p.91]

The way-cute, we're-just-messing-around-with-our-computer feel of Out Of The loop is missed, but The Tight Connection gives a crisper picture of the duo at work. [#55, p.80]

Instrumentally, Torino strays little from previous Cinerama releases.... But lyrically, Gedge... [has] developed a gritter, nastier edge. [#55, p.72]

Among the lot lie some stone-cold Pollard classics. [#55, p.76]

Not nearly as tear-stained as his 2000 mini-album Gerroa Songs, Three zeroes in on the uptempo, if not the upbeat. [#55, p.84]

A damn good sophomore effort. [#54, p.86]

Though it isn't as catchy or streamlined as Lifestyle, one of Italian Platinum's many strengths is the continued ability of bassist Tim Midgett and guitarist Andy Cohen to pen lyrics that are downcast yet inspirational, witty yet insightful, sometimes all at once. [#55, p.86]

The tight, buzzing guitars and chugging rhythm section have been deconstructed--subdued, even. [#54, p.78]

A genre-defying, glorious mess of an album. [#54, p.109]

A tremendous leap forward. [#55, p.77]

Song after song hurts in that oh-so-right way. [#54, p.89]

Songs so immediately enthralling you won't even notice the faint Dungeons & Dragons scent of [Rieger's] lyrics. [#54, p.88]

A rewarding, cohesive and climactic experience. [#54, p.88]

Dealing with Trans Am entails dealing with a great sense of humor that's a fun and striking listen to boot. [#54, p.109]

A note-cramming session heavy on the Little Feat and light on the Sea And Cake. [#55, p.70]

The 13-song set gurgles and gloops with the surreal intensity of a Morricone score revisted by a Bollywood auteur/mixmaster. [#54, p.91]

Music, while a pleasant listen, is nowhere near the heartfelt art Eitzel normally blesses us with. [#54, p.86]

It finds Wareham in rare form. [#54, p.95]

Control is the finger-pointing punk record of the year. [#54, p.101]

As If To Nothing occasionally lapses into moments that more closely resemble a compilation tape than a cohesive body of music. [#54, p.76]

What On really proves is that great albums aren't a thing of the past. [#54, p.94]

Their second album only partially makes good on their promise, delivering a lovely package that lacks the emotional punch of last year's terrific self-titled debut. [#55, p.70]

Every bit as visceral and thrilling as fellow Manhattanites the Strokes. [#54, p.98]

Their best work. [#54, p.107]

The band has finally become more than the sum of its friends. [#54, p.106]

If only [L'Altra] would wipe away the polish, stop being yet another tender pop band and let its melodies be springboards for exploration instead of straightjackets. [#54, p.94]

Here, on one compact disc, is what's wrong with the music industry. [#54, p.110]