Cardinal - Hymns
2-5 Stars
‘Hymns’ is so inoffensive and pleasant sounding that it barely registers.
23rd January 2012
2-5 Stars rated Albums & EPs
Enter Shikari - A Flash Flood Of Colour
2-5 Stars
Well produced and executed with precision. However, this is by no means third time lucky for Enter Shikari.
17th January 2012
Loch Lomond - Little Me Will Start A Storm
2-5 Stars
A bit hard to get your teeth into.
22nd October 2011
Slove - Le Dance
2-5 Stars
There is certainly potential and promise here, but unfortunately only fleeting glimpses.
17th October 2011
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Hysterical
2-5 Stars
‘Hysterical’ is the sound of a light going out; a half-arsed shrug, a death rattle.
5th October 2011
Death In Vegas - Trans-Love Energies
2-5 Stars
Some things should be left in the past, and perhaps the Death In Vegas name is one of them.
26th September 2011
Deep Cut - Disorientiation
2-5 Stars
There’s a profound theme of déjà vu running throughout…
13th September 2011
A Winged Victory For The Sullen - A Winged Victory For The Sullen
2-5 Stars
In small doses, this lonely Eno-esque world with strings is calming and undeniably emotional.
9th September 2011
The Icarus Line - Wildlife
2-5 Stars
Finding a succession of decent melodies amidst the sea of mid-tempo fillers proves quite a task…
30th August 2011
Sam Duckworth - The Mannequin
2-5 Stars
This album seems to represent is an older, calmer Sam Duckworth.
29th August 2011
Fool’s Gold - Leave No Trace
2-5 Stars
The initial joy at hearing Fool’s Gold as a tight unit fades when you realise that it has made it harder for them to implement their influences.
24th August 2011
CSS - La Liberación
2-5 Stars
A frustrating experience that never quite feels as exciting or intimate as it thinks it is.
16th August 2011
Basement Jaxx vs Metropole Orkest
2-5 Stars
Fun, different and undeniably clever; but once you’ve heard it you don’t really need to hear it again.
29th July 2011
Ringo Deathstarr - Sparkler
2-5 Stars
‘Sparkler’ seems like an odd release for Ringo Deathstarr…
25th July 2011
Steve Mason & Dennis Bovell - Ghosts Outside
2-5 Stars
Mason’s optimistic, upbeat songs are dragged to a sluggish, downbeat dub speed.
24th July 2011
Teitur - Let The Dog Drive Home
2-5 Stars
There is little innovation on display.
21st April 2011
Poly Styrene - Generation Indigo
2-5 Stars
The songs may not always hit their targets, but it’s good to have such a vital voice back.
28th March 2011
The Strokes - Angles
2-5 Stars
What should The Strokes circa 2011 sound like?
25th March 2011
Funeral For A Friend - Welcome Home Armageddon
2-5 Stars
There are some serious flaws in the album’s twelve tracks.
14th March 2011
The View - Bread & Circuses
2-5 Stars
You’ll only find fleeting glimpses of the band’s former glory.
14th March 2011
Mirrors - Lights & Offerings
2-5 Stars
Every facet of this band capitalises on the reignited interest in eighties electro pop.
1st March 2011
Papercuts - Fading Parade
2-5 Stars
A textbook example of a rather decent album being smothered.
28th February 2011
The Beets - Stay Home
2-5 Stars
It’s really tempting to want to applaud them for their apparent lack of care…
11th January 2011
Mr Huw - Dirty North Walians
2-5 Stars
He needs to relocate his mojo.
8th December 2010
Featuring Yard Act, Death Cab For Cutie, Graham Coxon, Maisie Peters and more.