An impressive album that points to a most promising future. [May 2004, p.84]

The album is a more straightforward, breezier Sparklehorse, and effortlessly replayable. [Oct 2006, p.130]

They have a clever way with words and pleasantly surprising musical depth. [May 2005, p.92]

A perfectly pleasant and unoffending offering. [Mar 2006, p.116]

Somewhere between the Plimsouls and The La's, this should keep your top down throughout the summer. [Jul/Aug 2005, p.109]

Even though the “fast forward button” will be needed here and there, The Stimulus Package is still a solid release that is easily the top hip-hop release so far this year.

While it almost goes without staying that every band’s aspiration is to ingeniously pique the interest of their listeners by reinventing old elements and coupling them with new and creative tones, it seems this record’s goal is not necessarily to go without saying, but say it all in the fewest possible breaths.

There are points during the disc when you wish the rollercoaster would relent, but that is beside the point: Fol Chen are pop experimentalists, deft song-writers and immaculate producers who have a lot to say – so hang on!

One answer, really...bass. Or, lack of bass. Having tested the disc on several systems, I can only determine that someone at Daft Punk central, or Virgin Records decided to master this disc like a pop record, the mids jacked to high heaven while the sub-bass, the stuff that actually makes you move, is completely erased.

If you're over 25, then expect to find yourself peering at your old teen angst like some sort of barely remembered dream. [Jan/Feb 2005, p.95]

An album as colorful as his stage show. [Apr 2006, p.96]

The party album of the year has arrived. [Aug 2003, p.87]

So even as Tortoise integrate guitar surrealism and edgier motifs into their palette, they also progress their unique relationship to electronic music and hip-hop. [#82, p.139]

The record falters only when Ace recounts a gangster parable about shady dealings with a certain Fats Belvedere. [Sep 2004, p.116]

Lerche has a pop manual the size of the OED, and he's not the least bit bashful about using it. [Apr 2004, p.86]

Pierce has broken down another barrier between elusive genius and sheer pleasure. [Jun 2005, p.79]

The vast array of musical styles makes an otherwise mediocre album...a Meanderthal album.

Doves succeed in giving fans their fix of new music that sounds fresh without altering the formula so much as to alienate any of their devotees.

It’s a strong, deliberate album that is both unsettling and riveting, and absolutely convincing in asserting Crystal Castles’ relevance, and talent.

Long-time Kelis fans might be initially surprised at the sonic switch-up-it's more dance than quirky R&B-but there's something totally right about the way Kelis tackles electronic music.

Fantasies has solid musicianship, simple yet poetic and meaningful lyrics, a myriad of melodies, and hooks that are memorable and exciting.

Delightfully odd, smart and horny, the Maels deliver on time once again. [May 2006, p.90]

An emo-rap fan's wet dream. [Feb 2003, p.93]

All it takes is a spin of their high-steppin' full-length debut to realize that these ladies are worthy of the praise. [Sep 2003, p.101]

King as album title is ambitious and King as album finds T.I. firm-footed in his role as such. [May 2006, p.95]

Winner of the “Best New Act” award at the Danish Grammys, Choir of Young Believers’ debut is like summer itself--over too soon, but a tremendous joy.

Dirty Bomb is a double-edged sword that will undoubtedly rip you apart--but trust when I say it won’t hurt.

A psychedelic journey quite unlike any other that could very well result in the creation of a completely new category of music simply known as Utopia Rap because musically it doesn't get much better than this.