Nothing about the five originals and two covers here makes them come across like B-sides or throwaways.

Even without a surplus of terrific songs to launch the affair into orbit, the band still knows perfectly well how to lock into each other and stay that way.

One of his finest efforts to date.

Though it is not overtly innovative in its instrumentation or approach, The Creek Drank the Cradle is composed and performed with such an inclusive, intimate voice that the album is extremely accessible, even personal.

You still get the beautiful vocal combination of Sparhawk and Parker and the traditional less-is-more approach Low perfected several albums ago. Yet now you get a band that doesn't want to get stuck in the realm of slow-core, trying new things, redefining themselves. And it works beautifully on what is, undoubtedly, a triumph of an album.

For everyone who thought the conceptual excesses of the previous releases went a bit too far or simply didn’t have the patience to tie together all the musical loose ends, this may be the Of Montreal album they’ve been waiting for.

All in all, this album has everything any hard rock fan would enjoy.

A consistently heady and visceral shot of classic Mudhoney: angry, fuzzy guitars, propulsive rhythms, and sarcastically-jaded lyrics.

Will be among many year-end best-of lists, and deservingly so.

It sounds like the Ramones covering OK Computer. It's also one of the best debuts of the year.

They put together nearly perfectly produced and arranged songs, tight and precise yet still urgent and fast.

In an era when few can truly be said to be following their own unique aesthetic, Sixteen Horsepower continue to pad their resume as one of America’s greatest reinterpretors of the American folk tradition.

It almost seems like the Flaming Lips has regressed a little, structurally and rhythmically speaking.

This short EP clearly isn't up to the muster of classic 70s Wire.

Overall, the set works as a study in contrasts, with the ornate sampled arrangements always being in danger of disappearing under the sparking electronic beats or Daedelus’ added textures, whether they be synthesized sounds or computer printers.

A lush post-rock masterpiece.

This album includes boasts a brilliant storyteller, amazing music, and, most important, beautifully delivered lyrics.

Much popier than the band’s previous efforts, this is a fun album with catchy beats, cool guitars and a lo-fi sound.

He has composed devastatingly clever lyrics to go with music that completely rocks out, tugs at your heartstrings, or both.

My only complaint about this brilliant album is that the first half is so strong, the second half is weak in comparison.

A dark, moody, hypnotic monumental masterpiece with songs that unfold subtlety from one elaborate texture to the next so that you almost don't notice the marvelous hooks until they have dug their way beneath your skin and buried themselves in your soul.

These two guys are good on the turntables and production, and they've got some stellar hip hop and rock guests. Check out this collaboration, one of the few hip-hop albums that I truly think is a must-have.