Like all of the band’s best work, Thief requires more than a few listens to fully appreciate, but those who stick around will be richly rewarded.

The Flaming Lips' particular and peculiar genius comes to full fruition on the stupendous The Soft Bulletin.

The more Nastasia withdraws into her own world, the more attractive her music becomes.

An album that sounds unlike anything else.

A knockout punch.

Without a doubt the most challenging collection of music she has ever released.

Top to bottom, this may be Chesnutt's best effort since his 1996 disc About to Choke.

Even in its duller moments--the flaccid ballad 'Shirk,' the truncated sax solo that closes 'Virgo,' rainbow messages from God ('Elliptical')--this record fails to depart from the serious verve that has kept this artist relevant and refreshing for years.

Spoon's loosest, most eclectic effort yet.

Black Cadillac is darker than its predecessor, but with melodies often more complex and lyrics more stunningly poetic than anything its creator has conjured before, the album is more transforming than depressing, and exquisitely beautiful.

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is the mark of men confident enough to give their album one of the world's goofiest titles.

While it probably won't be remembered as his best album, The Black Album is his most personal to date and features some of his most compelling writing.

With Extraordinary Machine, she shatters already sky-high expectations.

Depending on your partiality for mid-’70s macramé culture, this is either a gift from the gods or the worst thing that could possibly happen to pop culture since bellbottoms made a comeback.

Characteristically classy tunes that will thrill Thompson's fans, who have been waiting for just such a set of literate and challenging music from a musician who never delivers less.

Make up for lost time and embrace these wonderful smartypants-es today.

More definitive than ever, the rhythm and percussion complement Beam's voice, a lulling, almost eerie tone that occasionally recalls John Lennon's early solo work

The results are richly satisfying throughout.

Whether you’re a newcomer to Chasny’s sublime psychedelic folk or were a fan from the get-go and own all the limited editon vinyl, no one could possibly be disappointed with this album.

Out of Season creates a dreamily sinister otherworld that's both vintage and timeless. [Amazon UK review]

If there's a downside to this brilliant, if unlikely pairing, it's that Krauss's somber program could benefit from something a tad more libidinous or uptempo.

Everything about this album moves the duo up a level.

It's difficult to think of a more compelling sophomore record by a young singer-songwriter, Norah included.

While Albarn still has an ear for a melody, without Coxon's guitars to subvert them, most of these songs sound like the work of a new band.

It's a stunning, confident piece of work that suggests the band is merely getting started.

You might think that an album about child abuse would be hard to listen to, but as always, hearing Darnielle's lyrics is an honor and a privilege.

This is the kind of album that clicks right off but continues to grow on you.

DeVaughan simultaneously sounds like every soul singer who has raised bumps on your arms and none of them at all, which is to say he's an artist no matter what banner he flies.