Bleech - Nude
3 Stars
An album that attempts to combine both the power of grunge-rock and the hooks of indie-pop.
9th June 2012
3 Stars rated Albums & EPs
Keane - Strangeland
3 Stars
This album will neither shock nor rewrite opinion.
8th June 2012
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
Featuring Yard Act, Death Cab For Cutie, Graham Coxon, Maisie Peters and more.