The songs rarely cohere into anything greater than the sum of their individual parts.
Essence is a concept album that traces the biological and spiritual steps of a life span.
Fiona’s pissed and it’s captivating, but it also demonstrates the limits of the singer’s self-loathing.
While it might be free of meaning (and irony), it’s chock-full of pretense.
Stankonia continues André 3000 and Big Boi’s progressive blend of hip-hop, funk, rock, and soul.
The Foo Fighters have effectively transcended the myth of Nirvana.
Hooverphonic steers away from the ethereal, lush sounds of their previous work, opting instead for a more mainstream pop/rock style.
The first member of Destiny’s Child to release her own mainstream pop album, Rowland enters solo with a hit already in hand.
With his fifth album, the Manchester-born singer-songwriter delivers more of his new millennium folk.
If the Flaming Lips are obnoxious, their fans are even more so.
Faces Down is the captivating major label debut from Norway’s Sondre Lerche (pronounced SON-DREY LAIR-KAY).
Slant thinks it’s time the rest of the world got to know this 19-year old talent as he sits on the verge of conquering America.
Hewitt teams up with former bitch Meredith Brooks for a collection of jangly girl-pop a la Natalie Imbruglia or Jewel.
Beck has crafted a meditative masterpiece of powerful resonance.
Eve’s Eve-Olution is another tight record that will undoubtedly keep her, um, rydin’ high.
Coldplay has once again delivered pure acoustic beauty.
Diamond Princess is probably the most uninspired hip-hop record of the year.
Now considered a neo-classic, the album samples nine different languages throughout, making it a truly global communication.
Faultline adds a layer of human warmth to his post-rock electronic palette.
The album was seemingly designed to take its listeners progressively farther and farther away from their respective spots on the planet.
The album is not as varied or multi-textured as Martinez’s debut, geared to live up to formulaic scripts rather than artistic instinct.