Keane - Strangeland
3 Stars
This album will neither shock nor rewrite opinion.
8th June 2012
3 Stars rated Albums & EPs
The Wedding Present - Valentina
3 Stars
Like a fine pastiche, the presented elements are enjoyable, but there’s a detached lack of soul and ardor.
2nd June 2012
The Slow Readers Club - The Slow Readers Club
3 Stars
A solid if unspectacular collection of electro indie guitar.
23rd May 2012
The Dandy Warhols - This Machine
3 Stars
This is far from a bad album, but it’s also far from matching their best.
23rd May 2012
Ben Kweller - Go Fly A Kite
3 Stars
A likeable album.
12th May 2012
Boxes - Stickers
3 Stars
Although it is a very well produced, slick affair, ‘Stickers’ somehow has the ring of heard-it-all-before.
7th May 2012
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - Maps
3 Stars
Lyrically, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly appears to have grown up, but there’s something missing.
5th May 2012
It Hugs Back - Laughing Party
3 Stars
Breathy and lighter than air, with a feel of optimism.
5th May 2012
Toro Y Moi - June 2009
3 Stars
A retrospective glimpse into the demos of a man unknowingly on the cusp of success.
22nd April 2012
M.Ward - A Wasteland Companion
3 Stars
It doesn’t get off to a promising start, but when we get to ‘The First Time I Ran Away’ the album suddenly and brilliantly clicks.
13th April 2012
The Cornshed Sisters - Tell Tales
3 Stars
A collection of disparate, homespun songs.
10th April 2012
Yukon Blonde - Tiger Talk
3 Stars
‘Tiger Talk’ is filled with jangling melodies and bursting hooks.
8th April 2012
Ed Vallance - Volcano
3 Stars
The right place and time is essential for this volcano to have any impact.
7th April 2012
Apparatjik - Square Peg In A Round Hole
3 Stars
The best part is that, unlike most super groups, Apparatjik actually sound like a decent band.
3rd April 2012
The Futureheads - Rant
3 Stars
A fun and genuinely touching set of songs.
2nd April 2012
De La Soul’s Plug 1 & Plug 2 - First Serve
3 Stars
Posdnous and Trugoy wander more into acting roles than rapping ones with the peculiar yet cohesive concept of ‘First Serve’.
31st March 2012
Photek - DJ Kicks
3 Stars
Lonely and desolate at times, the album would benefit from being reigned in slightly.
26th March 2012
La Sera - Sees The Light
3 Stars
By the end of the 10 tracks you just want to slide Goodman a shot of whisky and tell her to man up.
25th March 2012
Skint & Demoralised - This Sporting Life
3 Stars
‘This Sporting Life’ struggles to leave you with more than a little shoulder shrug.
19th March 2012
Hooded Fang - Tosta Mista
3 Stars
Despite the album being very short, the retro vibe does become ever so slightly grating.
12th March 2012
Lights - Siberia
3 Stars
A fine up-to-the minute synthpop album that benefits from interesting detours.
11th March 2012
Bowerbirds - The Clearing
3 Stars
Despite this artful approach, there’s a smoothness to the record.
5th March 2012
Jonquil - Point Of Go
3 Stars
This is a good start but you get the feeling Jonquil need to add a bit more bite into their new pop noise.
5th March 2012
Electricity In Our Homes - Dear Shareholder
3 Stars
There are moments when they succeed, and there are moments when they are entirely too shy.
27th February 2012
Festival special! Featuring Wolf Alice, Kasabian, Lykke Li, Marmozets, Genesis Owusu and more.