Paper Gods feels like a Duran Duran-shaped helium balloon, impressive, shiny, but oddly empty inside. [Oct 2015, p.96]

An excursion into invention, forsaking preparation for nuggets of inspiration and a degree of rootless wander. [May 2023, p.89]

While Khruangbin's own cover of Kool & The Gang's Summer Madness is a technical knock-out, the two-punch combination of Maxwell Udoh's inaptly titled Nigerian disco landmark I Like It (Don't Stop) and David Marez's florid Ensename is distinctly below the belt. [Jan 2021, p.100]

A melancholic air pervades Mist's untutored playing and soul-searching raps. [Jun 2021, p.90]

It's possible that it all makes rather more sense to the creators than it does to the listeners. [Jan 2014, p.102]

Its echoes of '60 Brit Invasion rock, arch lyrics and prime Pollard song-title jibber will sound more familiar. [Feb 2015, p.96]

Even if consistency isn't their bag, Pond have genius at their fingertips. [Apr 2015, p.96]

It's deliciously hauntingly odd. [May 2018, p.93]

There's nothing staggeringly new happening here, but it's all deftly delivered and sure to find favour. [Mar 2011, p.106]

At its best, Weather Diaries rejuvenates their burn-it-down guitars ad pretty vacancy. ... But some of the old problems remain: a thin lyrical wash, an occasional plod. [Jul 2017, p.86]

The hardest working man in indie rock today shows no sign of taking a break. [Feb. 2011, p. 100]

Explores Incubus' inner jam band. [Feb 2004, p.94]

A record to give reigning empress of dancefloor diversity Roisin Murphy a run for her hard earned. [Jul 2016, p.95]

Raft is a woozy drift between euphoria and unease. [Aug 2017, p.31]

Darnielle is a lyrical genius, for sure, but... you're left wishing for a song, just one song, that doesn't sound like a man strumming or plucking that damned folky guitar. [Mar 2004, p.96]

Recorded using vintage hardware, the guitar sound is as rich as tiramisu. [Jun 2014, p.95]

It may not eclipse past achievements but does point to a genuine way forward in a dignified and spiritual manner. [Jul 2013, p.84]

Former Miles Kane sideman McGuinness concocts his fifth solo record with solid powerpop. [Aug 2014, p.96]

As things are, it's an above-par, straight-ahead roots-revival collection, its full-blown "outernational" arrangements lit up by world-class brass and occasional splashes ofsynth. [Aug 2013, p.86]

The Pace of The Passing is, ultimately, oddly inscrutable, a musical ghosting, seductive, meticulous textures elegant compensation for the lack of a strong centre. [Feb 2017, p.90]

It's when they change gear, on the likes of Old Stuff, New Glass, which goes into a funk workout reminiscent of ESG, or on the Orange Juice-flavoured likes of 48 Percent or Blue Suitcase (Disco Wrist)--whose reverb and chiming guitars leans towards post-punk idea of reggae--that The Orielles excel. [Mar 2018, p.97]

Far from punching predictable button, these reconstructed mischief-makers excel when locking electro horns with primal motorik grooves. [Apr 2019, p.94]

It's core is stop-start, angular digital transmissions entwined with acoustic piano and smokey analogue-synth interludes. [Apr 2013, p.95]

McPherson puts authenticity over self-expression with style. [Apr 2015, p.96]

The results may finally help them to escape the label of a light-hearted Fall with singer Eddie E. Smith. [Jun 2009, p.96]

Trio from Whittier, south-east Los Angeles, make debut on Britney's label. [Feb. 2011, p. 101]

There are times... when the stripping-down of The Jayhawks' aesthetic reveals [Gary Louris'] designs to be uncomfortably slight. [Apr 2003, p.92]

The result is confusing, as with any roots artist messing with synths and beats. Even so, when he doing his familiar stark, keening vocal and raw country-blues thing and sentimental lighters-aloft pop, he's still deeply impressive. [Jul 2016, p.92]