The fractious tension producer [Barlow] normally whips up to counter [Rhodes] is almost completely absent, thus allowing the run of tracks to discreetly slide off into the background. [Mar 2004, p.110]

Gleefully uneasy listening. [Feb 2004, p.82]

Ultimately, Xiu Xiu builds something sacred from tiny moments of pain. [Jun 2004, p.90]

Doesn't fit comfortably into either the current musical landscape or the leftfield. [Mar 2004, p.109]

It's hottest moments are tepid at best. [Feb 2004, p.77]

Manages to be both visceral and emotive, sprinkling the dancefloors with tears and sweat. [Mar 2004, p.111]

This'll retain its heat only until everyone's heard it. [Apr 2004, p.88]

Imagine Four Tet with a band instead of a laptop and you're getting close. [Jan 2004, p.78]

In the clubs, Baby Monkey will find a welcome family. [May 2004, p.87]

Where Air's previous album failed to ignite like their classic Moon Safari, they have made some amends on Talkie Walkie. [Jan 2004, p.74]

Their wall of sounds with lush keyboards and itchy guitars still fire strong. [Nov 2003, p.92]

The band is crisp and tight, with daring songwriting and arrangements. [Mar 2004, p.111]

Dizzee's production style is impressive.... His flow is urgent and coherent. [Mar 2004, p.109]

TCM has become utterly irrelevant. [Feb 2004, p.78]

This is Kelis' big moment, and she more than rises to the occasion. [Feb 2004, p.82]

As sophomore albums go, Atlas is far from sophomoric. [Feb 2004, p.79]

He finally seems to be combining alll of his varied interests into a complete package more substantive than his earlier, smark-alecky adventures. [Mar 2004, p.108]

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

The self-reflective vocals... are an insightful change, while the slow-boiling builds on "Mind In Rewind" will simply make you want to buy your 303 back off eBay. [Nov 2003, p.87]

Pushes the boundaries so far it's difficult to even call what they do "house" anymore. [Nov 2003, p.88]

While a handful of tracks may... seem familiar to fans of PiL, Dinosaur L, ESG and Primal Scream, Echoes manages much more than aping influences. [Oct 2003, p.83]

She's made her Marvin Gaye album, a sweet collection of dreamy, reggae-kissed gems. [Dec 2003, p.86]

Stories is that rarest of rap LPs: trend-resistant and, therefore, timeless. [Dec 2003, p.87]

Koala's comic gestures serve a humble purpose, masking the technical precision that underpins his work. [Nov 2003, p.88]

Disarmingly intimate. [Dec 2003, p.87]

Quite possibly the break-up album of the year. [Jan 2004, p.78]

Takes her dirty white girlisms to an even more profound yet still salacious place. [Nov 2003, p.89]

In small doses (songs, verses, lines), Aesop's latest is a brutally great argument that hip-hop's new-new-new-new-new-school is as creative as its oldest. [Nov 2003, p.88]