Kindness - Otherness
2 Stars
The idea of liking Kindness is often more appealing than actually liking Kindness.
7th October 2014
2 Stars rated Albums & EPs
The Drums - Encyclopedia
2 Stars
The use of more electronic instrumentation is both what separates ‘Encyclopaedia’ from its forebears and also what makes it somewhat disappointing.
17th September 2014
Cold Specks - Neuroplasticity
2 Stars
Too cold and distancing to be able to connect to.
28th August 2014
Basement Jaxx - Junto
2 Stars
Only some parts equal the dizzy heights of their much younger contemporaries.
22nd August 2014
Luke Sital-Singh - The Fire Inside
2 Stars
If he’s trying to say something significant, it’s all rather swamped by faux-poetics.
15th August 2014
Celebration - Albumin
2 Stars
An album which appears to lack the punch and creativity needed to be anything more than second rate.
14th August 2014
Remember Remember - Forgetting The Present
2 Stars
Remember Remember choose to teeter on the edge of epic rather than fiercely indulging in it.
26th June 2014
Clean Bandit - New Eyes
2 Stars
The band’s genre-splicing potential is lost on a largely tedious debut.
5th June 2014
Alexis Taylor - Await Barbarians
2 Stars
Little more than an indulgent side-project.
5th June 2014
The Fresh & Onlys - House of Spirits
2 Stars
A long way from their best work.
4th June 2014
Kasabian - 48:13
2 Stars
A little bit like if Jez and Super Hans from Peep Show got a record deal.
4th June 2014
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Only Run
2 Stars
While not unpleasant, there’s little to warrant enduring revisits.
28th May 2014
Kyla La Grange - Cut Your Teeth
2 Stars
An album that’s trying different things; not all of them work, but it makes for an interesting listen all the same.
27th May 2014
Yann Tiersen - Infinity
2 Stars
Simply too mired in experimentation.
19th May 2014
We Were Evergreen - Towards
2 Stars
The Parisian trio are at their best when they keep their sound as simple as possible.
5th May 2014
Creative Adult - Psychic Mess
2 Stars
Creative Adult just sound like they’re spitting at the bus stop and trying to convince someone older to buy them the smallest, cheapest vodka.
5th May 2014
TEEN - The Way And Color
2 Stars
Louder, bolder, but a little less unique.
20th April 2014
Japanther - Instant Money Magic
2 Stars
For a moment it’s almost like Japanther are revitalised and reinvigorated.
14th April 2014
Chuck Inglish - Convertibles
2 Stars
So secure in its foundations yet still so out of place.
7th April 2014
OFF! - Wasted Years
2 Stars
16 slices of ramshackle garage punk with its beating 80s heart worn well and truly on its sleeve.
5th April 2014
Foster the People - Supermodel
2 Stars
Too much surface and not nearly enough substance.
22nd March 2014
Withered Hand – New Gods
2 Stars
Anyone deciding to stay is bludgeoned again and again with his relentless wet sentimentality.
15th March 2014
Ava Luna – Electric Balloon
2 Stars
Like two records playing simultaneously, it’s as if they couldn’t quite decide which band to be, so threw in everything they had at once.
9th March 2014
Lo-Fang - Blue Film
2 Stars
His electronics blend perfectly with his soft voice, heating the otherwise frosty soundscapes.
16th February 2014
Featuring Yard Act, Death Cab For Cutie, Graham Coxon, Maisie Peters and more.