Music Editorial Reviews
1. Vanessa Hudgens, 'Identified'
By Andy Hermann - June 30, 2008
The ‘High School Musical’ starlet sneaks out a dull sophomore disc
2. Girl Talk, 'Feed the Animals' 
By Matt Rodbard - June 23, 2008
ADD-friendly producer proves there’s still life in the mashup
3. Three 6 Mafia, 'Last 2 Walk'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
It's hard out here for an Oscar-winning hip-hop act
4. Sigur Rós, 'með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust'
By Michelle Lanz - June 23, 2008
Icelandic foursome returns with a stellar and more accessible sonic masterpiece
5. Mötley Crüe, 'Saints of Los Angeles'
By Kirk Miller - June 23, 2008
Their best since ‘Dr. Feelgood’—which, unfortunately, isn’t saying much
6. G. Love & Special Sauce, 'Superhero Brother'
By Jeff Miller - June 23, 2008
Longtime dorm favorite phones it in
7. The Watson Twins, 'Fire Songs'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Southern sisters soft-rock you to somewhere
8. Bobby Digital, 'Digi Snacks'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Wu-Tang visionary slows down to smell the money
9. Less Than Jake, 'GNV FLA'
By Kirk Miller - June 23, 2008
Ska-punk diehards get back to their roots
10. Hercules and Love Affair, 'Hercules and Love Affair'
By Adam McKibbin - June 23, 2008
Disco strikes back, with a big assist from Antony and the DFA
11. Amos Lee, 'Last Days at the Lodge'
By Matt Pais - June 23, 2008
A fuller, more varied effort from a guy who’s still got soul
12. Alejandro Escovedo, 'Real Animal'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Latino alt-country legend gets punked
13. Anthony David, 'Acey Duecy'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
Hip-hop soul from India.Arie’s first artist
14. Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80, 'Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
Fela Kuti’s son leads his Afro-beat band into the now
15. The Wombats, 'A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Bipolar pop anthems from a U.K. buzz band with wit to burn
16. Rose Hill Drive, 'Moon Is the New Earth'
By Jeff Miller - June 23, 2008
Young rockers emulate their ‘70s heroes, with mixed results
17. Coldplay, 'Viva La Vida'
By Adam McKibbin - June 16, 2008
Grander and denser, but still the same Coldplay you know and love (or hate)
18. Katy Perry, 'One of the Boys'
By Andy Hermann - June 16, 2008
A dazzling debut from the girl-kissing pop ingénue
19. The Offspring, 'Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace'
By Kirk Miller - June 16, 2008
SoCal punks enlist Metallica's producer to help beef up their sound
20. Wolf Parade, 'At Mount Zoomer'
By Matt Rodbard - June 16, 2008
Montreal art-rockers put down their side projects and release an adventurous set of jams
21. Grupo Fantasma, 'Sonidos Gold'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Prince's favorite Latin funk band releases its 'definitive album'
22. Silver Jews, 'Lookout Mountain Lookout Sea'
By Adam McKibbin - June 16, 2008
Rollicking, countrified folk-rock from indie veterans
23. The Notwist, 'The Devil, You + Me'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Berlin's sonic chameleons deliver cool rocktronica
24. Judas Priest, 'Nostradamus'
By Kirk Miller - June 16, 2008
Heavy metal stalwarts release their first concept album
26. Tilly and the Wall, 'o'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Child-like indie poppers flex some more grown-up muscles
27. Lil Wayne, 'Tha Carter III'
By Scott T. Sterling - June 9, 2008
Rap's biggest rising star still hasn't quite made his masterpiece...yet
28. My Morning Jacket, 'Evil Urges'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
Indie rockers try to join the ranks of Prince and Kravitz? Go figure.
29. N.E.R.D., 'Seeing Sounds'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
The Neptunes’ electro-funk band is back—and playing real instruments!
30. Jakob Dylan, 'Seeing Things'
By Matt Pais - June 9, 2008
Bob Dylan's son again proves he shouldn't just be known as Bob Dylan's son
31. Supergrass, 'Diamond Hoo Ha'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
Another worthy effort from eclectic Britpop survivors
32. Alanis Morissette, 'Flavors of Entanglement'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
You oughta skip this overproduced attempt at a comeback
34. The Cool Kids, 'The Bake Sale EP'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
Much hyped Chicago duo flashes old-school beats and brainy rhymes
35. Joan as Police Woman, 'To Survive'
By Adam McKibbin - June 9, 2008
Elegant sophomore album from back-up singer turned solo chanteuse
36. The Fratellis, 'Here We Stand'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
Uber-catchy Brit-rockers’ second album is a mixed bag
37. Martha Wainwright, 'I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too'
By Adam McKibbin - June 9, 2008
Rufus’ husky-voiced sister reflects on failed relationships
38. Weezer, 'Weezer'
By Kirk Miller - June 2, 2008
The geek-rockers' 'Red Album' is their best in ages
39. Ashanti, 'The Declaration'
By Tamara Palmer - June 3, 2008
R&B singer finally finds her own voice
40. Ladytron, 'Velocifero'
By Adam McKibbin - June 2, 2008
Icy electro-pop encourages dancing and depression
41. Aimee Mann, '@#%&! Smilers'
By Andy Hermann - June 2, 2008
'Magnolia' soundtracker perks up on surprisingly bright, soulful effort
42. Bret Michaels, 'Rock My World'
By Matt Pais - June 2, 2008
VH1 star and Poison frontman continues to overstay his welcome
43. Fleet Foxes, 'Fleet Foxes'
By Adam McKibbin - June 2, 2008
Youthful Seattleites channel late ‘60s California pop
44. The Futureheads, 'This Is Not the World'
By Scott Thill - June 2, 2008
Angular Brit-rockers rev up some caffeinated anthems
45. Gavin Rossdale, 'Wanderlust'
By Tamara Palmer - June 2, 2008
Mr. Gwen Stefani pines for the ‘90s
46. Man Raze, 'Surreal'
By Scott Thill - June 2, 2008
A supergroup featuring members of Def Leppard and the Sex Pistols? Pretty surreal, alright.
47. From Bubblegum to Sky, 'A Soft Kill'
By Jeff Miller - June 2, 2008
Basement indie-pop hero has his head in the clouds
48. Opeth, 'Watershed'
By Kirk Miller - June 2, 2008
Swedish prog-metal maestros return with more full-throttle epics
49. The Virgins, 'The Virgins'
By Jeff Miller - June 2, 2008
New York quartet breaks its debut-album cherry
50. Ed Harcourt, 'The Beautiful Lie'
By Scott Thill - June 2, 2008
British balladeer courts the Coldplay crowd
51. Usher, 'Here I Stand'
By Andy Hermann - May 27, 2008
The long-awaited follow-up to ‘Confessions’ does not disappoint
52. Spiritualized, 'Songs in A&E'
By Matt Rodbard - May 28, 2008
Jason Pierce cheats death. The reward? An album about cheating death.
53. Al Green, 'Lay It Down'
By Tamara Palmer - May 22, 2008
Soul’s main reverend crafts a contemporary classic
54. Ellen Allien, 'Sool'
By Adam McKibbin - May 27, 2008
Queen of Berlin techno finds magic in minimalism
55. The Herbaliser, 'Same As It Never Was'
By Tamara Palmer - May 27, 2008
British—and Canadian!—hip-hop that doesn’t suck
56. Walter Meego, 'Voyager'
By Adam McKibbin - May 27, 2008
Daft Punk lovers lay down some old-school dance grooves
57. Midnight Juggernauts, 'Dystopia'
By Matt Rodbard - May 27, 2008
Australian trio keen on aping Justice, but with live instruments
58. Scarlett Johansson, 'Anywhere I Lay My Head'
By Adam McKibbin - May 19, 2008
A-list actress tackles her toughest part yet: Tom Waits interpreter
59. Foxboro Hot Tubs, 'Stop Drop and Roll!!!'
By Andy Hermann - May 20, 2008
These Bay Area garage rockers are no American idiots…or are they?
60. Jesse McCartney, 'Departure'
By Tamara Palmer - May 20, 2008
Are you ready for Jesse Mac? Former child star and teen pop idol tries R&B.
61. The Dresden Dolls, 'No, Virginia'
By Kirk Miller - May 19, 2008
An outstanding set of B-sides and outtakes from the goth-cabaret duo
62. The Ting Tings, 'We Started Nothing'
By Kirk Miller - May 19, 2008
Silly but catchy synth-rock, as heard on that new iPod ad
63. Islands, 'Arm's Way'
By Scott Thill - May 19, 2008
A diverse sophomore album from Canadian pop-rock weirdoes
64. The Wedding Present, 'El Rey'
By Scott Thill - May 19, 2008
Underrated Brit-rockers still sound vital more than two decades since their debut
65. Shy Child, 'Noise Won't Stop'
By Adam McKibbin - May 19, 2008
Keytar-and-drums duo branches out on entertaining third album
66. Death Cab for Cutie, 'Narrow Stairs'
By Adam McKibbin - May 12, 2008
Indie heroes' latest is not quite the radical departure some expected
67. Duffy, 'Rockferry'
By Matt Pais - May 12, 2008
A soulful British newcomer who’s more stable than you know who
68. Cherish, 'The Truth'
By Tamara Palmer - May 12, 2008
Atlanta sister act loves bad boys and ballads
69. Jason Mraz, 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.'
By Matt Pais - May 12, 2008
Vulnerability and creativity from a guy you wouldn’t expect to leave his comfort zone
70. The Old 97's, 'Blame It On Gravity'
By Jeff Miller - May 11, 2008
Alt-country faves return to form after disappointing '04 album
71. Ryan Cabrera, 'The Moon Under Water'
By Matt Rodbard - May 12, 2008
Ashlee Simpson's ex tries really, really hard to be taken seriously
72. We Are Scientists, 'Brain Thrust Mastery'
By Kirk Miller - May 12, 2008
Sounds like Brit-rock, comes from Brooklyn—no wonder England loves this band
73. The BellRays, 'Hard, Sweet and Sticky'
By Tamara Palmer - May 12, 2008
Maximum rock and soul from SoCal
74. Local H, 'Twelve Angry Months'
By Scott Thill - May 12, 2008
Grunge-era survivors still deliver thunderous riff rock and self-deprecating humor
75. The Black Angels, 'Directions to See a Ghost'
By Scott Thill - May 12, 2008
Swirling guitars for your angst-ridden soul from Texas psych-rockers
76. The Submarines, 'Honeysuckle Weeks'
By Jeff Miller - May 12, 2008
Husband-wife duo makes precious but pure '60s-tinged pop
77. Tobias Froberg, 'Turn Heads Now'
By Andy Hermann - May 12, 2008
Unheralded Swede turns out more lovely folk-pop nuggets
78. Emmanuel Jal, 'Warchild'
By Adam McKibbin - May 12, 2008
Former child soldier turns socially conscious rapper
79. Filter, 'Anthems for the Damned'
By Kirk Miller - May 12, 2008
'90s alt-rockers return with some politicals rants and forgettable tunes
80. From First to Last, 'From First to Last'
By Kirk Miller - May 5, 2008
Talented emo-rockers are still struggling to find their own identity
81. Neil Diamond, 'Home Before Dark'
By Adam McKibbin - May 5, 2008
No 'Sweet Caroline 2,' but a pleasing set from the folk-rock veteran
82. No Age, 'Nouns'
By Scott Thill - May 5, 2008
L.A. duo fuses punk, rock and electronica into something new and amazing
83. The Last Shadow Puppets, 'The Age of the Understatement'
By Andy Hermann - May 5, 2008
Arctic Monkeys singer lets bombast rule on retro-flavored side project
84. Tim Fite, 'Fair Ain't Fair'
By Tamara Palmer - May 5, 2008
Brooklyn rapper’s fifth album parks in the intersection of hip-hop, rock and country
85. Morning State, 'You Know People I Know People'
By Scott Thill - May 5, 2008
Atlanta newcomers are more than the sum of their punk and classic rock parts
86. The Morning Benders, 'Talking Through Tin Cans'
By Jeff Miller - May 5, 2008
Bay Area indie rockers shine on melodic debut
87. Firewater, 'The Golden Hour'
By Kirk Miller - May 5, 2008
A trip to Asia inspires world-beat rocker's latest
88. Dub Pistols, 'Speakers and Tweeters'
By Tamara Palmer - May 5, 2008
London beatmakers enlist a legendary singer to liven up their sound
89. Russian Circles, 'Station'
By Adam McKibbin - May 5, 2008
Chicago trio brings the instrumental thunder
90. Nik Freitas, 'Sun Down'
By Matt Pais - May 5, 2008
Low-key, sun-soaked pop for a lazy summer day
91. Madonna, 'Hard Candy'
By Andy Hermann - April 28, 2008
Great beats and hot guest stars can't quite save Madge's latest
92. The Roots, 'Rising Down'
By Scott Thill - April 28, 2008
A defiant classic for troubled times from Philly's leading hip-hop crew
93. Portishead, 'Third'
By Scott Thill - April 28, 2008
Dark trip-hop pioneers break their 11-year silence with an experimental bang
94. Dizzee Rascal, 'Maths + English'
By Adam McKibbin - April 28, 2008
Nimble Brit rapper branches out beyond grime
95. Puscifer, 'V Is for Viagra: The Remixes'
By Adam McKibbin - April 28, 2008
Tool frontman’s bawdy side project gets sliced and diced
96. Augustana, 'Can't Love, Can't Hurt'
By Jeff Miller - April 28, 2008
Rock balladeers behind the hit ‘Boston’ return
97. Robyn, 'Robyn'
By Andy Gillette - April 28, 2008
Swedish pop diva finally makes her grown-up return to the U.S.
98. Santogold, 'Santogold'
By Jeff Miller - April 29, 2008
Much-hyped newcomer unleashes a global dance party
99. Jamie Lidell, 'Jim'
By Tamara Palmer - April 29, 2008
British soul singer bids for happiest album of the year
100. Def Leppard, 'Songs from the Sparkle Lounge'
By Kirk Miller - April 29, 2008
‘80s hard rockers are still searching for a 21st century identity
101. Mindless Self Indulgence, 'If'
By Kirk Miller - April 29, 2008
Electro-industrial pranksters are the biggest band you've never heard of
102. Flight of the Conchords, 'Flight of the Conchords'
By Adam McKibbin - April 21, 2008
HBO comedy stars showcase songs from their first season
103. Ashlee Simpson, 'Bittersweet World'
By Tamara Palmer - April 22, 2008
Party rock that outclasses her sister, at least
104. Lyrics Born, 'Everywhere at Once'
By Matt Pais - April 21, 2008
More party-starting personality from one of our favorite rap voices
105. Billy Bragg, 'Mr. Love and Justice'
By Adam McKibbin - April 21, 2008
Strident protest singer mellows with age—a little
106. Atmosphere, 'When Life Gives You Lemons...'
By Scott Thill - April 21, 2008
Minnesota indie-hoppers continue to refine their cerebral style
107. El Perro del Mar, 'From the Valley to the Stars'
By Scott T. Sterling - April 22, 2008
Swedish ingénue imagines the greatest girl-group on the moon
108. Story of the Year, 'The Black Swan'
By Kirk Miller - April 21, 2008
More screamo-lite from St. Louis modern rockers
109. Tokyo Police Club, 'Elephant Shell'
By Matt Pais - April 21, 2008
One album in, Canadian indie rockers already sound more grown up
110. Blind Melon, 'For My Friends'
By Scott Thill - April 21, 2008
'90s alt-rockers' comeback is not as bad as it could have been
111. Mariah Carey, 'E=MC2'
By Tamara Palmer - April 15, 2008
The diva digs deeper into urban flavor on 'Emancipation' follow-up
112. The Kooks, 'Konk'
By Jeff Miller - April 14, 2008
Brit-rockers break from the pack with a larger-than-life frontman
113. Phantom Planet, 'Raise the Dead'
By Matt Rodbard - April 14, 2008
Former 'O.C.' soundtrackers stumble with uneven fourth record
114. Brian Jonestown Massacre, 'My Bloody Underground'
By Adam McKibbin - April 14, 2008
Shambolic 13th album from psych-rock misfits
115. Thrice, 'The Alchemy Index, Vols. III & IV'
By Kirk Miller - April 14, 2008
Ex-screamo kids continue their elemental concept album project
116. Frightened Rabbit, 'The Midnight Organ Fight'
By Matt Pais - April 14, 2008
Scottish trio delivers on its potential and then some
117. James McMurtry, 'Just Us Kids'
By Andy Hermann - April 14, 2008
Underrated Texas singer-songwriter adds more to his excellent catalog
118. M83, 'Saturdays = Youth'
By Adam McKibbin - April 14, 2008
Sweeping, ‘80s-inspired electro-pop for your summer romance
119. Mt. Wilson Repeater, 'Mt. Wilson Repeater'
By Scott Thill - April 14, 2008
Radar Brothers' Jim Putnam gets spacey on ethereal solo project
120. Apocalyptica, 'Worlds Collide'
By Kirk Miller - April 14, 2008
The worlds in question being heavy metal, Finland and cellos
121. The Breeders, 'Mountain Battles'
By Scott T. Sterling - April 7, 2008
O.G. indie superstars show why Frank Black was always threatened by Kim Deal
122. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, 'Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!'
By Adam McKibbin - April 7, 2008
A death-defying album from indie rock's indelible baritone
123. Tina Dico, 'Count to Ten'
By Tamara Palmer - April 8, 2008
Number one sensation from Denmark makes bid for international pop stardom
124. Peter Moren, 'The Last Tycoon'
By Scott Thill - April 7, 2008
The ‘Peter’ of Peter Bjorn and John fame gets sad on solo debut
125. Tapes 'n Tapes, 'Walk It Off'
By Matt Pais - April 7, 2008
Minnesota four-piece breaks the indie rock mold on feisty sophomore album
126. Meat Beat Manifesto, 'Autoimmune'
By Tamara Palmer - April 7, 2008
Electro-industrial pioneer releases a sick tenth album
127. Jim Noir, 'Jim Noir'
By Jeff Miller - April 7, 2008
Old-fashioned space-rock from an otherworldly British songsmith
128. Dead Child, 'Attack'
By Scott Thill - April 7, 2008
Ex-Slint guitarists ditch the post-rock instrumentals for some good ol' metal
129. Wye Oak, 'If Children'
By Adam McKibbin - April 7, 2008
Baltimore shoegazing duo makes a hypnotic debut
130. The Heavy, 'Great Vengeance and Furious Fire'
By Matt Rodbard - April 7, 2008
U.K. retro-soul band tries to give Gnarls a run for its money
131. The Young Punx, 'Your Music Is Killing Me'
By Kirk Miller - April 7, 2008
Fatboy Slim's new favorite band sounds a lot like...Fatboy Slim
132. R.E.M., "Accelerate"
By Scott Thill - March 31, 2008
A blistering comeback from one of rock's most iconic bands
133. The Black Keys, 'Attack & Release'
By Scott Thill - March 31, 2008
Danger Mouse takes Ohio's garage-rock duo back to the future
134. Moby, 'Last Night'
By Adam McKibbin - April 1, 2008
Every advertiser’s favorite musician gets back to his club roots
135. Kylie Minogue, 'X'
By Andy Hermann - March 31, 2008
A fun but inconsistent tenth album from Australia's reigning pop diva
136. Anti-Flag, 'The Bright Lights of America'
By Kirk Miller - March 31, 2008
Political punks stretch out musically on ambitious eighth record
137. The Wood Brothers, 'Loaded'
By Scott Thill - March 31, 2008
Medeski, Martin and Wood side project surprises with Americana richness
138. Sun Kil Moon, 'April'
By Adam McKibbin - March 31, 2008
Former Red House Painter returns with more songs of loss and longing
139. Matthew Ryan, 'Matthew Ryan vs. the Silver State'
By Jeff Miller - March 31, 2008
A veteran singer-songwriter you probably haven’t heard of, but should
140. Devin the Dude, 'Smoke Sessions, Vol. 1'
By Tamara Palmer - March 31, 2008
Blunted Houston rapper channels Dave Chappelle
141. No Use for a Name, 'The Feel Good Record of the Year'
By Kirk Miller - March 31, 2008
Pop-punk veterans offer fun, fast-paced tunes with few surprises
142. The Raconteurs, 'Consolers of the Lonely'
By Andy Hermann - March 25, 2008
Jack White and Brendan Benson deliver the year’s first great rock album
143. Gnarls Barkley, 'The Odd Couple'
By Scott T. Sterling - March 24, 2008
The ‘Crazy’ kings of psychedelic soul stay on the dark side
144. Panic at the Disco, 'Pretty. Odd.'
By Andy Hermann - March 24, 2008
Reformed emo kids delve into classic psychedelic pop
145. The B-52's, 'Funplex'
By Scott Thill - March 24, 2008
Legendary 'Love Shack' party starters haven't missed a beat despite 16-year hiatus
146. Counting Crows, 'Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings'
By Matt Pais - March 24, 2008
An album you might have sort of liked 10 years ago
147. The Dodos, 'Visiter'
By Matt Rodbard - March 24, 2008
Percussion-heavy indie duo finds a cool experimental groove on debut
148. Voyager One, 'Afterhours in the Afterlife'
By Andy Hermann - March 24, 2008
Seattle shoegazers return with louder beats and layers of guitar drone
149. Day26, 'Day26'
By Tamara Palmer - March 24, 2008
R&B debut from the boys of Diddy’s ‘Making the Band’
150. Lili Haydn, 'Place Between Places'
By Adam McKibbin - March 24, 2008
Violin virtuosos mixes classical training with pop hooks; results are mixed, too
151. Plants and Animals, 'Parc Avenue'
By Adam McKibbin - March 24, 2008
Canadian newcomers keep Montreal's indie rock hit streak intact
152. Be Your Own Pet, 'Get Awkward'
By Andy Hermann - March 18, 2008
Scrappy young foursome puts a little fun and danger back into punk rock
153. Danity Kane, 'Welcome to the Dollhouse'
By Tamara Palmer - March 17, 2008
The girl group that Diddy built is back with more catchy pop jams
154. Flo Rida, 'Mail on Sunday'
By Andy Hermann - March 18, 2008
The ‘Low’ hitmaker gets overshadowed by guests on lackluster debut
155. The Kills, 'Midnight Boom'
By Andy Hermann - March 17, 2008
Primitive rock duo makes their best and most groove-laden work to date
156. Destroyer, 'Trouble in Dreams'
By Adam McKibbin - March 17, 2008
Dan Bejar's polarizing indie rockers remain one of a kind
157. The Matches, 'A Band in Hope'
By Kirk Miller - March 18, 2008
Oakland pop-punks pack their Warped Tour set list with some eclectic summer jams
158. Crystal Castles, 'Crystal Castles'
By Scott T. Sterling - March 18, 2008
Glorious digital chaos from the new murder kids on the scene
159. The Hush Sound, 'Goodbye Blues'
By Matt Pais - March 17, 2008
Chicago pop darlings stumble on disjointed third album