Psapp - The Only Thing I Ever Wanted

4 Stars

A duo that enjoy the quirkier side of noise, ​‘The Only Thing I ever Wanted’ is an idyllic electroacoustic clatter.

22nd May 2006

¡Forward, Russia! - Give Me A Wall

4 Stars

So, &#161Forward, Russia! may not be easy; they’re doing things on their terms and nobody elses, but oddly enough it seems to be working.

15th May 2006

Field Music - Write Your Own History

4 Stars

Not really an album, not really a B‑sides collection, and not really a history (unless you’d decided to listen backwards), it’s just a record of some really rather good songs.

1st May 2006

Gnarls Barkley - St Elsewhere

4 Stars

Not just a very silly name, but a true ​‘internet phenomenon’, they went to Number One on the strength of downloads alone, without even having a single record on the shelf.

24th April 2006

The Streets - The Hardest Way To Make An Easy…

4 Stars

A progression in the same way ​‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’ was from its predecessor, many may miss the point. Don’t be fooled; it’s the same Mike Skinner as ever, and he’s bloody great.

10th April 2006

Morrissey - Ringleader Of The Tormentors

4 Stars

This appears to be an album about Morrissey and his amazing testicles. It’s not that we’re saying it’s bollocks; it isn’t, pop’s premier depressed old man has decided to sing about his crown jewels.

3rd April 2006

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones

4 Stars

‘Show Your Bones’ is an exhausting ride through the trials and tribulations of Second Album Syndrome, and cements their place as one of the noughties’ most exciting bands.

27th March 2006

Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit

4 Stars

More commanding and yet welcoming at the same time this could well be Belle and Sebastian’s introductory album for a lot of people.

6th February 2006

Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene

4 Stars

As final drum rolls and fanfare sign off the sound of Canada smiling, there can be only one conclusion. It’s glorious.

23rd January 2006

Girls Aloud - Chemistry

4 Stars

The greatest pop girl group ever? Bananarama, Spice Girls, B*Witched, you’re taking one hell of a beating.

5th December 2005

Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better

4 Stars

Still spiky, edgy and immediate as ever, they’re not sticking to the formula any more. The rulebook is out of the window — the crown princes of art rock are well and truly back.

3rd October 2005

The Rakes - Capture/Release

4 Stars

This is where The Rakes excel: one of the majority, loved by a minority — and that, above the downhearted reflections upon society that their tracks portray, is the real shame.

15th June 2005

Belle and Sebastian - Push Barman To Open Old Wounds

4 Stars

Their debut EP’s title track ​‘Dog On Wheels’ paints a scenery which pining absent love sits upon; featuring brass sections and ​‘la la la’ interludes to enhance the way.

23rd May 2005

Beck - Guero

4 Stars

Generation X may well be stuck pushing papers behind a desk these days, but this is one man who won’t be letting go and going straight any time soon. With records this good, why should he?

21st March 2005

Annie - Anniemal

4 Stars

It was back in 1999 when Annie launched her pop career with the single ​‘Greatest Hit’ but it has been a long tumultuous journey from there to the release of this, her debut album.

7th March 2005

Death From Above 1979 - You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine

4 Stars

It’s a simple enough premise; stick Death From Above 1979 on any funked up indie disco dancefloor and watch the hot pink leg warmers fly.

28th February 2005

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm

4 Stars

‘Silent Alarm’ is exactly the LP many were expecting from Bloc Party.

14th February 2005

The Music - Welcome To The North

4 Stars

Kippax. Such a glamorous location for a band to come from. Forget LA, New York or Detroit — Kippax is where it’s at.

20th September 2004

Green Day - American Idiot

4 Stars

Like a bull that managed to grow back some balls after a bizarre semi-acoustic castration, the title track doesn’t waste any time in setting the scene.

20th September 2004

The Go! Team - Thunder Lightning Strike

4 Stars

There’s no subtlety here, this is an album that’s loud, proud and intent on causing a fuss. It may not be The Next Big Thing, but it will make you grin like an idiot.

13th September 2004

Dizzee Rascal - Showtime

4 Stars

Inventive, shocking, funny and though provoking in equal measures, Dizzee hasn’t stopped pushing the limits just because he’s got some recognition.

6th September 2004

The Zutons - Who Killed The Zutons

4 Stars

No — The Zutons are nothing like The Coral. OK, they may be on the same label, the same city, make the same off kilter pop songs… but that’s it.

19th April 2004

Delays - Faded Seaside Glamour

4 Stars

Cleverer than those who might want to do them harm, ​‘Faded Seaside Glamour’ proves that Delays may not be the one trick pony that we thought anyway.

5th April 2004

The Divine Comedy - Absent Friends

4 Stars

It would seem that Hannon’s back with the usual mix of eloquence and grandeur as well as humour and buoyancy.

29th March 2004