musicOMH’s album reviews that count toward B-Side Breakdowns: 660 reviews of 660 albums, going back to 2000, each next to the album’s Breakdown. 117 of them come from Wikipedia ratings boxes, mostly for older albums.
Top critics
- John Murphy 31 reviews
- Vik Bansal 13 reviews
- Michael Hubbard 12 reviews
- Sam Shepherd 8 reviews
- Ben Hogwood 7 reviews
458 reviews with no named critic yet.
What it reviews
- Indie & Alternative 28%
- Pop 23%
- Rock 20%
- Hip-Hop & Rap 9%
- Metal & Punk 8%
Find musicOMH
By the numbers
71average score it gives, on the 0 to 100 scale (660 reviews)
50%of its reviews score an album 75 or higher
16points: how far a typical review lands from its own average score
25albums given a perfect score (3.8% of its reviews)
18A-Sides reviewed, the albums the critics rate highest
70different critics with a byline on its reviews here
59%of its scores landed within 10 points of the other critics’ average for the same album (660 albums)
11points, on average, between its release-week reviews and where the other critics ended up (145 reviews)
How its scores spread
- 0–4961
- 50s34
- 60s127
- 70s106
- 80s224
- 90+108
Its top scores
RosalíaLux 100 
David BowieThe Next Day 100 John Murphy
WilcoWilco (The Album) 100 Justin de la Cruz
Neko CaseMiddle Cyclone 100 Peter Hayward
Fleet FoxesFleet Foxes 100 Sam Shepherd
Bon IverFor Emma, Forever Ago 100 John Murphy
GorillazGorillaz 100 Michael Hubbard
The 1975A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships 100
Its newest 200 reviews
| Critic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Queens of the Stone AgePerfecth“John Homme and co's ninth album marks a move away from their signature blunt riffs and opens the door to a mood far more reflective and wistful” | not named Read the review | 80 4/5 | 76 | Oct 28, 2026 |
 RayeThis Music May Contain Hope. | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 90 4.5/5 | 85 | Mar 27, 2026 |
| RosalíaLux | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 100 5/5 | 92 | Nov 8, 2025 |
 Tyler, the CreatorDon’t Tap the Glass“On hedonistic form on his ninth studio album, is he now the most interesting figure in modern rap music?” | Ben Devlin Read the review via Wikipedia | 80 4/5 | 74 | Jul 21, 2025 |
 Playboi CartiMusic“The Atlanta rapper delivers a lot of music on his third album, with Travis Scott, Skepta, Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd along for the ride” | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 60 3/5 | 70 | 2025 |
 Billie EilishHit Me Hard and Soft“Tender, weird, emotional, surreal, and completely unique – this might be the very best pop album of 2024” | not named Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 85 | 2024 |
 WaxahatcheeTigers Blood“Katie Crutchfield's reflective, wistful follow-up to 2020's Saint Cloud is imbued with a sense of warm familiarity” | John Murphy Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 88 | 2024 |
 Kacey MusgravesDeeper Well“The Texan's latest album is one to wallow in, one for those rainy days inside where you just want to sit and find comfort in music” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 76 | 2024 |
 FutureFuture“The music on Samuel T Herring and co's seventh album is as affecting and impassioned as ever” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 72 | 2024 |
 Jonas BrothersJonas Brothers“Did you know that Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas are all in fulfilling relationships? After listening to this record, you definitely will” | not named Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 57 | 2023 |
 Iggy PopEvery Loser“This short, sharp blast of refreshing energy finds James Newell Osterberg Jr as compelling as ever” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | 2023 |
 Avril LavigneLove Sux“The pop punker's seventh album blows all preconceptions out of the water with a sense of exhilarating freedom” | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 80 4/5 | 72 | 2022 |
 Megan Thee StallionSuga“Despite some complicating factors – label issues, the decision to release an EP rather than the promised debut album – Megan Thee Stallion’s story is one” | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 80 4/5 | 75 | 2020 |
 WaxahatcheeSaint Cloud“Katie Crutchfield's fifth album under the Waxahatchee moniker feels a bit like a rebirth, which is appropriate as it's her first album since giving up” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 83 | 2020 |
 Selena GomezRare | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 80 4/5 | 73 | 2020 |
 EstuaryWolves In The Throne Room“Album number six from Wolves In The Throne Room sees the band returning with a sense of freshness. The trilogy of albums that began with Two Hunters and” | Sam Shepherd Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 76 | 2017 |
 Imagine DragonsEvolve“In releasing a record titled Evolve, it would seem obvious that Imagine Dragons are looking for progress as a band. The only problem is, the Las Vegas” | Craig Jones Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 52 | 2017 |
 StormzyGang Signs & Prayer“When Kanye West enlisted the help of the UK’s biggest grime artists for his performance at the Brits in 2015, few imagined that it would be the start of a” | Andy Baber Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | 2017 |
 The AvalanchesWildflower“Fully 16 years since their debut comes the follow-up, a record that threatens to fall apart under the weight of its own ambition” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 78 | 2016 |
 BeyoncéLemonade“Beyoncé’s fifth album, 2013’s Beyoncé, set a pinnacle for surprise releases but it also saw the singer not only subvert her method of release using the” | Martyn Young Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 94 | 2016 |
 WeezerWeezer“For many, Weezer’s last outing, Everything Will Be Alright In The End, marked something of a return to form for the band. While their ninth effort was not” | not named Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 67 | 2016 |
 SiaThis Is Acting“No one turns up the volume like Sia. Whereas a decade and a half ago she could be found singing slow burning late night songs for Zero 7, here she…” | Ben Hogwood Read the review | 60 3/5 | 71 | 2016 |
 Lucinda WilliamsThe Ghosts of Highway 20“When most people reach the age of 60, thought of retirement may beckon and the idea of slowing down a gear and taking things a bit easier may start to” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 82 | 2016 |
 Kacey MusgravesPageant Material“June saw the release of Pageant Material, the second album from Kacey Musgraves. It arrived amid a flurry of interviews that made much of Mugraves” | Christopher Monk Read the review | 80 4/5 | 78 | 2015 |
 Ellie GouldingDelirium“Far from being a copy-and-paste instant starlet, Hereford's Ellie Goulding, after emerging as the BBC’s quite distinctive Sound of 2010, slowly” | Rob Mesure Read the review | 60 3/5 | 65 | 2015 |
 SlayerRepentless“To say that Slayer have been through the mill over the last few years is something of an understatement. Original drummer Dave Lombardo left the band,” | Sam Shepherd Read the review | 60 3/5 | 64 | 2015 |
 The ProdigyThe Day Is My Enemy“From their earliest incarnation as a novelty dance act (Charly Says) to rave legends (Music For The Jilted Generation) and crossover alchemists, The” | Sam Shepherd Read the review | 40 2/5 | 72 | 2015 |
 Courtney BarnettSometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit“The Melbourne resident's enjoyable debut album is half a masterpiece. Its lack of musical sophistication matters not one bit” | Christopher Monk Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 90 | 2015 |
 The Smashing PumpkinsMonuments to an Elegy“Truth be told, the name The Smashing Pumpkins should probably be retired at this point. The band that made all those '90s classics (Gish, Siamese Dream,” | Sam Shepherd Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 71 | 2014 |
 Pink FloydThe Endless River“The Endless River is the answer to The Endless Question. ‘When is the new Pink Floyd album coming out?’ Well here it is, the first recorded musical” | Ben Hogwood Read the review | 60 3/5 | 66 | 2014 |
 Franz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand“No one can master the combination of big indie choruses, disco grooves and beguiling lyrics quite like Franz Ferdinand. The 12-year-old band's most recent” | Jack Dutton Read the review | 80 4/5 | 86 | 2014 |
 Mariah CareyMe. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse“Five years since Mariah Carey released an LP, the diva returns with her 13th studio album. The familiar vocal theatrics are present, as is a” | Amelia Maher Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 66 | 2014 |
 The Black KeysTurn Blue“Cries of ‘sell out’ could be heard everywhere following the release of El Camino in 2011, with The Black Keys’ staunchest fans the band’s loudest critics” | Graeme Marsh Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 78 | 2014 |
 Sheryl CrowFeels Like Home“Though it's easy to file Sheryl Crow in the moth-eaten corner of your mind where hazy memories of 1990s chart botherers reside, it turns out that the” | David Welsh Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 68 | 2014 |
 MotörheadAftershock“Something's gone horribly right with the world. Back when Lemmy unleashed Motörhead on an unsuspecting world, no-one could possibly imagine that a” | Martin Headon Read the review | 80 4/5 | 74 | 2013 |
 DrakeNothing Was the Same“My junior and senior will only get meaner," promised Aubrey Graham on his last effort, the phenomenal Take Care, an album that was so good at making you” | Jordan Mainzer Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 79 | 2013 |
 PlaceboLoud Like Love“In the nearly 20 years since they broke through, Placebo have had their fair share of dramatic ups and downs. With that in mind, Loud Like Love, their” | Max Raymond Read the review | 60 3/5 | 55 | 2013 |
 The 1975The 1975“1975 in British music was dominated by two acts: the unabashedly cheesy teen-pop of Bay City Rollers and the skilful blend of rock and r&b produced by” | Philip Matusavage Read the review | 80 4/5 | 70 | 2013 |
 Gogol BordelloPura Vida Conspiracy“The ‘gypsy punk’ tag may soon mean little more than a mood and an ethos, as far as Eugene Hütz and co's music is concerned. On every level it is…” | Aaron Payne Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | 2013 |
 30 Seconds to MarsLove Lust Faith + Dreams“As you would expect for a band led by a film star, 30 Seconds To Mars are not a band to do things by halves when it comes to promoting…” | Andy Baber Read the review | 40 2/5 | 60 | 2013 |
 The StoogesReady to Die“Despite its title, Iggy And The Stooges’ fifth studio album shows the band is still very much alive and kicking. Ready To Die does not have the ‘wow” | Neil Dowden Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 68 | 2013 |
 Fall Out BoySave Rock and Roll“After announcing that they would be taking an indefinite hiatus in November 2009, few would have expected to see the return of Fall Out Boy so soon. Yet,” | Andy Baber Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 70 | 2013 |
 ParamoreParamore“This symbolically self-titled album is Paramore’s fourth offering, but more importantly it’s the first record from the new line-up after tensions and good” | Thomas Ingham Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 80 | 2013 |
 Bring Me the HorizonSempiternal“A band operating at the top of their game is a fearsome sight. And very few rock groups right now can lay claim to such a degree of ascendancy as” | Laurence Green Read the review | 80 4/5 | 81 | 2013 |
 Bon JoviWhat About Now“From Madison Square Garden to the dingiest of working men’s clubs, at one point or another each has been filled with the soft rock anthems of Bon Jovi.” | Thomas Ingham Read the review | 60 3/5 | 55 | 2013 |
| David BowieThe Next Day“So THAT'S how you stage a comeback. The last time we heard from David Bowie was in September 2003 – a world, lest we forget, with no Twitter, no Facebook,” | John Murphy Read the review | 100 5/5 | 83 | 2013 |
 Dropkick MurphysSigned and Sealed in Blood | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 70 3.5/5 | 71 | 2013 |
 Leona LewisGlassheart“After a year of delays, Leona Lewis' third album Glassheart is finally being released. The follow up to 2009’s Echo is a slightly different direction for” | Blair Kelly Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 58 | 2012 |
 Ellie GouldingHalcyon“First things first. Ellie Goulding has not "gone dubstep". There were more than a few rumours, or rather slightly sexist assumptions, that Goulding would” | John Murphy Read the review | 60 3/5 | 70 | 2012 |
 MuseThe 2nd Law“They're a strange child, Muse. Since they were, well, New Born, listening to each album has been like visiting a distant nephew, wondering what new trick” | Martin Headon Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 67 | 2012 |
 Papa RoachThe Connection“Listening to The Connection, Papa Roach's eighth album of a 15-year career, a strange feeling of mysterious familiarity persists. What band from the” | Martin Headon Read the review via Wikipedia | 30 1.5/5 | 58 | 2012 |
 Deadmau5Album Title Goes Here“EDM ("Electronic Dance Music", if you fancy it full fat) has never had it so good, at least in North America. Whilst the rest of the world has been” | Max Raymond Read the review | 40 2/5 | 53 | 2012 |
 No DoubtPush and Shove“The reunion money train keeps on rolling along. When No Doubt released their last album, the rubble of the Twin Towers was still smouldering, Michael” | John Murphy Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 64 | 2012 |
 PinkThe Truth About Love“It's been 12 years since Alecia 'Pink' Moore first appeared on the scene. Although never quite achieving the cultural impact (and infamy) of” | John Murphy Read the review | 60 3/5 | 73 | 2012 |
 CalexicoAlgiers“Calexico are often labelled – or even dismissed – as mere stylists. It’s easy to see why: across their six-album career, the band have toyed with country,” | Christopher Monk Read the review | 80 4/5 | 75 | 2012 |
 The OffspringDays Go By“Like Britpop and so many other musical crazes, the pop-punk boom of the 1990s was a surprisingly diverse movement. Green Day goofed around for the cameras” | Martin Headon Read the review | 20 1/5 | 51 | 2012 |
 Linkin ParkLiving Things“Despite repeated denials by the band themselves, some of the hype surrounding Linkin Park’s latest album would have you believe they’ve returned to their” | Laurence Green Read the review | 60 3/5 | 64 | 2012 |
 Justin BieberBelieve“Justin Drew Bieber. Ontario born and raised. Quintuple threat: singer, songwriter, musician, actor and venture capitalist. Apparently. With more than 24” | David Welsh Read the review | 60 3/5 | 68 | 2012 |
 Fiona AppleThe Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do“Seven years on from Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple returns for her fourth studio album The Idler Wheel… which is at the same time both roaring with” | Blair Kelly Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 85 | 2012 |
 FunSome Nights“Cracking out both a lower-case letter and a full stop for their band name, fun. feel from the off like they’re pointing the finger at themselves and going” | Laurence Green Read the review | 30 1.5/5 | 60 | 2012 |
 Joey RamoneYa Know?“There is always something rather unsettling about posthumous releases. This is partly due to the fact that they tend to be an effective vehicle for” | Andy Baber Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 62 | 2012 |
 Marilyn MansonBorn Villain“Hey, cruel world. He’s back – rock’s prince of darkness returned for another round, still standing, still fighting. “Suicide death metal,” Marilyn Manson” | Laurence Green Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 52 | 2012 |
 Death GripsThe Money Store“Death Grips occupy an area outside of the musical landscape, revelling in a bleak wasteland that is nearly impossible to define. One could attempt to” | Paul Bonadio Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 78 | 2012 |
 Lana Del ReyBorn to Die“In the eight months or so since the video for Lana Del Rey's single Video Games slipped onto YouTube, she's undergone an entire career in fast-forward” | John Murphy Read the review | 60 3/5 | 62 | 2012 |
 Kathleen EdwardsVoyageur“The joy – or pain, depending on your state of mind – of an artist like Kathleen Edwards is that there’s no filter between her emotions and her music.” | Paul Bonadio Read the review | 80 4/5 | 74 | 2012 |
 The Little WilliesFor the Good Times“It’s been six years since The Little Willies released their debut, self-titled album, and in that time it sounds as if Norah Jones and her rowdy friends” | Andrew Burgess Read the review | 80 4/5 | 75 | 2012 |
 T-PainRevolver“Auto-Tune has been in popular music since Cher’s 1998 hit Believe, but like drum machines in '80s pop and compressed guitars in '90s pop rock, there was” | not named Read the review | 30 1.5/5 | 58 | 2011 |
 RihannaTalk That Talk“There’s something admirable about the way Rihanna makes being a global chart superstar look easy. Her stratospheric rise to the top – banging out an album” | Laurence Green Read the review | 80 4/5 | 68 | 2011 |
 Tom WaitsBad as Me“It starts with a full-throated roar of "All Aboard!" and ends with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. In between there's gin-soaked ballads, swampy blues,” | John Murphy Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 84 | 2011 |
 Jeff BridgesJeff Bridges“Music has, down the years, suffered a litany of actors-tuned-musicians, most of them arguably listening to their egos rather than the evidence of their” | Darren Lee Read the review | 80 4/5 | 63 | 2011 |
 Dolly PartonBetter Day“The financial markets have collapsed; the streets are on fire; the Middle East runs red with rivers of blood; and lonely polar bears drift on creaking ice” | Darren Harvey Read the review | 60 3/5 | 80 | 2011 |
 Kanye WestWatch the Throne“Kanye West and Jay-Z are superstars of hip-hop, pop culture icons, two of a very few rappers who have substantially transformed the genre in the past two” | Justin de la Cruz Read the review | 60 3/5 | 72 | 2011 |
 Foster the PeopleTorches“Two tracks in to Foster The People's debut album, and you could be forgiven for thinking this band are from Australia. Everything about their approach to” | Ben Hogwood Read the review | 80 4/5 | 70 | 2011 |
 Beastie BoysHot Sauce Committee Part Two“Neary 30 years into their career, Beastie Boys sound incredibly fresh. A listen back to 1986's License To Ill reveals a trio of hyper-sexed binge-drinking” | Andrew Burgess Read the review | 80 4/5 | 79 | 2011 |
 Emmylou HarrisHard Bargain“How frustrating it is that reviews of new Emmylou Harris albums always seem to start with surprise that the album features self-penned songs. For sure,” | Daniel Paton Read the review | 60 3/5 | 70 | 2011 |
 Alison KraussPaper Airplane“Alison Krauss is about as big as MOR gets. She even wins accolades recording with a solo Robert Plant. There are a few simple reasons as to why Alison has” | Jon Falcone Read the review | 80 4/5 | 70 | 2011 |
 Duran DuranAll You Need Is Now“As a band who, even in their shiny, gold-drenched '80s heyday, were never known for their albums, it's fair to say that All You Need Is Now wasn't exactly” | Helen Clarke Read the review | 80 4/5 | 78 | 2011 |
 The StrokesAngles“It's been five years since we last heard from The Strokes, and in that time they've largely abandoned the formula that made their seminal 2001 debut, Is” | Andrew Burgess Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 71 | 2011 |
 Meek MillDreams and Nightmares“Swedish all-female pop group Those Dancing Days – and their d�but, In Our Space Hero Suits – were an oddity amongst the roll call of 2008. While not a bad” | Gareth Ware Read the review | 80 4/5 | 66 | 2011 |
 Jessie JWho You Are“You'd have to have been living in a bubble void of any interaction for the last six months to have escaped the whirlwind of media hype that has proceeded” | Victoria Dillingham Read the review | 40 2/5 | 52 | 2011 |
 Kanye WestMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy“Kanye West was in a rough spot when he flew to Hawaii to make his last album, 808s & Heartbreak. His engagement with long-term partner Alexis Phifer” | Justin de la Cruz Read the review | 80 4/5 | 91 | 2010 |
 Take ThatProgress“There's a brilliantly poignant moment at the end of John Dower's 2003 Britpop documentary Live Forever when Sleeper front woman Louise Wener recalls the” | Helen Clarke Read the review | 60 3/5 | 76 | 2010 |
 CherylMessy Little Raindrops“Cheryl Cole, is the ideal example of a second-rate pop star: a warmed-over personality, recycled hooks, some blatantly silly self-help wordplay, and” | Luke Winkie Read the review | 40 2/5 | 50 | 2010 |
 Elton JohnThe Union“The bitch is back, and this time he's matched with singer-songwriter Leon Russell and producer T-Bone Burnett. Elton John, our Captain Fantastic of yore,” | Richard Patterson Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 82 | 2010 |
 Jerry Lee LewisMean Old Man“Few have made as indelible a mark on rock 'n' roll history as Jerry Lee Lewis. Starting with his earliest hits, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On and Great” | not named Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 73 | 2010 |
 Neil YoungLe Noise“I'm on this journey, I don't want to walk alone," Neil Young sings with strident force on the opening track on Le Noise, which is ironic given that this” | Daniel Paton Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 83 | 2010 |
 Robert PlantBand of Joy“Robert Plant's post-Led Zeppelin musical journey has been consistently difficult to categorise. No longer backed by Page, Bonham and Jones, Plant” | Andrew Burgess Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 83 | 2010 |
 Iron MaidenThe Final Frontier“Is this it? The Final Frontier, Iron Maiden's 15th album, is a milestone with significance. Main man Steve Harris once proclaimed that Maiden's mission” | Sam Shepherd Read the review | 80 4/5 | 74 | 2010 |
 Arcade FireThe Suburbs“Arcade Fire have never been a band shy of tackling big themes. Their momentous debut album Funeral addressed death, somehow making it seem invigorating” | Jude Clarke Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 90 | 2010 |
 DrakeThank Me Later“The title of American rapper Drake's debut album is a knowing nod to the fact that he may well single-handedly save the American music industry. At a time” | Michael Cragg Read the review | 80 4/5 | 77 | 2010 |
 NasDistant Relatives“On the opening track of Distant Relatives, Nas declares that he and Damian Marley are the kings of their respective musical genres. Perhaps a cocky claim,” | Talia Soghomonian Read the review | 80 4/5 | 75 | 2010 |
 Flying LotusCosmogramma“When a Radio 1 DJ pronounces you as the "Jimi Hendrix of (your) generation" it's likely easy to feel big-headed. But if there's an ounce of arrogance” | Michael Cragg Read the review | 80 4/5 | 85 | 2010 |
 Gogol BordelloTrans-Continental Hustle“This time round, Rick Rubin has shaped their songs, smoothing down some of their rougher edges. Yet the end result is as rich and diverse as ever” | Talia Soghomonian Read the review | 80 4/5 | 67 | 2010 |
 RattInfestation“The '80s had the Brat Pack on the silver screen and the Ratt Pack on the turntable. Ratt was one of the first and most successful glam metal hair bands…” | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 80 4/5 | 67 | 2010 |
 Kate NashMy Best Friend Is You“Hope you enjoy our new direction!" In one of many perfectly observed scenes in This Is Spinal Tap, those six words viciously skewered every artist who” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 74 | 2010 |
 Lady GagaThe Fame“As well as the deceptively simple slabs of thunderous electropop for which she's become a byword this year, Lady Gaga has managed to create a persona so” | Michael Cragg Read the review | 80 4/5 | 76 | 2009 |
 50 CentBefore I Self Destruct“Before I Self Destruct, postponed two years and released alongside a film of the same name, is the fourth studio album from Curtis James Jackson III,” | Justin de la Cruz Read the review | 60 3/5 | 64 | 2009 |
 Mariah CareyMemoirs of an Imperfect Angel“The release of Mariah Carey's 12th studio album comes at an interesting point for the big-voiced diva fraternity. Not only has 2009 seen the improbable” | Michael Cragg Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 70 | 2009 |
 ParamoreBrand New Eyes“It's easy to neglect the fact that Hayley Williams is only 20 and that American emo-rockers Paramore – whether the band would care to admit it or not” | Gideon Brody Read the review | 80 4/5 | 76 | 2009 |
 AFICrash Love“In so many ways, AFI are the band that aspiring rockers dream of forming in their wistful, Utopian youth. An actual musical career rather than a temporary” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 80 4/5 | 67 | 2009 |
 Nelly FurtadoMi plan“It's been quite a journey for Nelly Furtado since she slinked her way into the charts in 2000 with the sweet I'm Like A Bird. The accompanying album,” | Michael Cragg Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 59 | 2009 |
 MuseThe Resistance“Muse are one of those bands for whom the phrase "style over content" is a compliment rather than a criticism. Indeed, the only way to get away with making” | Darren Harvey Read the review | 60 3/5 | 72 | 2009 |
 La RouxLa Roux“Boring people will say that music is not a competition and that polls and awards are essentially meaningless. But we're in a recession, the recorded music” | Michael Cragg Read the review | 80 4/5 | 76 | 2009 |
| WilcoWilco (The Album)“Imagine spending over two decades in the American music industry, selling over a million records, winning two Grammys, going through a half dozen band” | Justin de la Cruz Read the review | 100 5/5 | 74 | 2009 |
 PlaceboBattle for the Sun“It's amazing to think Placebo have been around for 15 years now. The sexual ambiguities that frontman Brian Molko traded on to the irritation of some have” | Nic Oliver Read the review | 60 3/5 | 59 | 2009 |
 Marilyn MansonThe High End of Low“Who is Marilyn Manson? Or more precisely, what is he? With the release of an unlikely seventh album, The High End Of Low, you'd think there might be some” | Gideon Brody Read the review | 40 2/5 | 54 | 2009 |
 Green Day21st Century Breakdown“In 2004 our jaws dropped on encountering the formerly immature California trio Green Day's seventh album, the unexpectedly grandiose rock opera American” | Ryan Helfand Read the review | 80 4/5 | 72 | 2009 |
 Bill CallahanSometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle“It's hard to think of an artist that has matured as much over the years as Bill Callahan, aka Smog, aka (smog). Once the prince of lo-fi, his recordings” | Scott Sinclair Read the review | 60 3/5 | 83 | 2009 |
| Neko CaseMiddle Cyclone“Coiled on the bonnet of a vintage car and clutching a sword, the cover of Middle Cyclone pitches Neko Case in strident mood. And from the opening” | Peter Hayward Read the review | 100 5/5 | 81 | 2009 |
 Fat JoeThe Elephant in the Room“Trying to ignore the awful truth while it hides quite unconvincingly behind the sofa is quite hard to do. Tusks poking into your lower back, the” | Sam Shepherd Read the review | 40 2/5 | 56 | 2008 |
 AC/DCBlack Ice“In this post-millennial era of global unease people are increasingly displaying a tendency to embrace those things that are tried and trusted. And when it” | Nic Oliver Read the review | 60 3/5 | 72 | 2008 |
 OasisDig Out Your Soul“Put simply, Oasis will never again match the magnificent, ground-breaking splendour of Definitely Maybe or (What's the Story) Morning Glory. Period. The” | Ryan Helfand Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 70 | 2008 |
 The Pussycat DollsDoll Domination | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 20 1/5 | 47 | 2008 |
 Katy PerryOne of the Boys“It's funny how the merest sniff of Sapphic dalliance can send straight girls hurtling up the charts. No sooner had I Kissed A Girl from Betty Page pin-up” | Darren Harvey Read the review | 60 3/5 | 51 | 2008 |
 MetallicaDeath Magnetic“With Rick Rubin helming, the production this time is thicker, more rounded – what the Black Album might sound like recorded in these times” | Jamil Ahmad Read the review | 80 4/5 | 78 | 2008 |
 CalexicoCarried to Dust“For Carried To Dust, Calexico returned to basics, something of a U-turn from the bigger sound the band looked to achieve on 2006's Garden Ruin. Here the” | Ben Hogwood Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | 2008 |
 The ScriptThe Script“Dublin's The Script is one of those bands that will polarise opinion no matter how hard it tries. It goes without saying that music this polished and” | Nic Oliver Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 44 | 2008 |
 BeckModern Guilt“Musical chameleon and rock poet laureate Beck Hansen is back with a new album. But if you're expecting a logical follow-up to his single Timebomb from” | Justin de la Cruz Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 71 | 2008 |
| Fleet FoxesFleet Foxes“If their performance over the pond at SXSW raised a few eyebrows, and the recent EP Sun Giant hinted at what was to come, it still wouldn't quite prepare” | Sam Shepherd Read the review | 100 5/5 | 88 | 2008 |
 The Ting TingsWe Started Nothing“Oh really? Well, who the sweet baby Jesus provoked this bastard thing which keeps rattling aroundour subconscious, banging on about "the drums… the” | Tim Lee Read the review | 40 2/5 | 64 | 2008 |
| Bon IverFor Emma, Forever Ago“Sometimes, an album's back story is almost as intriguing as the music which is held within. Take Justin Vernon for instance, or Bon Iver as he” | John Murphy Read the review | 100 5/5 | 89 | 2008 |
 MadonnaHard Candy“A couple of years ago, 50 Cent opened a boutique with the hit Candy Shop. Now it's time for Madonna to lead us up the path to her own confectioner's…” | Talia Soghomonian Read the review | 40 2/5 | 65 | 2008 |
 MGMTOracular Spectacular“The splendidly named Brooklyn duo of Andrew Vanwyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, aka MGMT, did not initially intend for their music to be part of a recorded” | Ben Hogwood Read the review | 80 4/5 | 74 | 2008 |
 Bullet for My ValentineScream Aim Fire“Welsh mob Bullet For My Valentine are one of those bands who polarise opinions within the heavy metal world. The haters accuse them of being contrived,” | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 70 3.5/5 | 72 | 2008 |
 Angels & AirwavesI-Empire“There are times when you think that maybe ex-Blink 182 man Tom DeLonge is trying a bit too hard to distance himself from his past. A quick read of the” | John Murphy Read the review | 40 2/5 | 54 | 2007 |
 Robert PlantRaising Sand“It's a curiosity that, just as the Led Zeppelin revival is reaching fever pitch, Robert Plant is sneaking out this album of reverential duets with Alison” | Ben Hogwood Read the review | 80 4/5 | 87 | 2007 |
 The LibertinesThe Libertines“All together now: Oh, I cherish you my looooooooove. You can waste all day debating whether or not a band that announced its official split just three” | Jenni Cole Read the review | 80 4/5 | 79 | 2007 |
 RadioheadIn Rainbows“Everybody who'd pre-ordered it received their download of Radiohead's In Rainbows at the same time – public and critics alike. The physical product, for” | Michael Hubbard Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 90 | 2007 |
 Manu ChaoLa Radiolina“We live in an age where many artists feel compelled to release albums every year lest the music buying public forget them. Manu Chao has left a staggering” | Darren Lee Read the review | 80 4/5 | 72 | 2007 |
 Animal CollectiveStrawberry Jam“Avant-garde music has always had its place. Whether it's for the music fan who likes to push their listening to the extreme, or those who have had one too” | Gemma Hampson Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | 2007 |
 DaughtryDaughtry“2006's American Idol was a good'un for Yank rocker Chris Daughtry. Belting renditions of Fuel's Hemorrhage (In My Hands) and Live's Mystery saw the” | Alex Nunn Read the review | 60 3/5 | 56 | 2007 |
 Amy MacdonaldThis Is the Life“The current music scene isn't short of new femalesinger-songwriters, which should make it hard for AmyMacdonald to stand out from the crowd, but she” | Jenni Cole Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 72 | 2007 |
 PrincePlanet Earth“To paraphrase a quotation 'What profits a man if he gains the world at the expense of his soul?', it's time to ask 'What profits a man if he gains…” | Darren Lee Read the review | 60 3/5 | 70 | 2007 |
 The Chemical BrothersWe Are the Night“There seemed to be a certain consensus forming upon the release of The Chemical Brothers' last album that Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands were past it,” | John Murphy Read the review | 60 3/5 | 69 | 2007 |
 Kelly ClarksonMy December“A career in crisis? For someone as successful as Kelly Clarkson it may seem an odd question. Unfortunately Clarkson has had a troubled time of late. A” | Tony Heywood Read the review | 60 3/5 | 66 | 2007 |
 TravisThe Boy with No Name“The Boy With No Name heralds the return of Travis, the band Chris Martin claims "invented" Coldplay (but please don't hold it against them). Taking its” | Jenni Cole Read the review | 60 3/5 | 57 | 2007 |
 Kings of LeonBecause of the Times“At first glance, it would appear that not much has changed in the world of Kings Of Leon. The bizarre haircuts and facial hair combinations are present” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | 2007 |
 Good CharlotteGood Morning Revival“It's funny what five years can do to a band. Back in the days of The Young & The Hopeless the Madden twins et al scoffed at millionaires with their” | Alex Nunn Read the review via Wikipedia | 80 4/5 | 47 | 2007 |
 Enter ShikariTake to the Skies“Once in every blue moon, a band comes along to smash stereotypes, stamp across conventional boundary lines and tear down the invisible walls that divide” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 60 3/5 | 63 | 2007 |
 Joss StoneIntroducing Joss Stone“Introducing Joss Stone may seem a weird title for the singer's third album, but not according to Ms Stone herself. See, she wasn't much of a fan of her” | John Murphy Read the review | 40 2/5 | 55 | 2007 |
 The HorrorsStrange House“As S Club 7 would have surely noted (had they still been gracing us with their presence): there ain't no disagreement like a Horrors disagreement. Now” | Tim Lee Read the review | 80 4/5 | 70 | 2007 |
 Lady SovereignPublic Warning“Louise Harman of Wembley, "Sov" to her mates, "midget" by her own description and Lady Sovereign to you, has come a long way since her freestyle rap The” | Jamie Sellers Read the review | 80 4/5 | 72 | 2007 |
 SiaSome People Have Real Problems“With some artists, a great song can be both a blessing and a curse. Of course, it can make your name and reputation, but it can also act as an…” | John Murphy Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 60 | 2007 |
 Amy WinehouseBack to Black“Why, if you were of a cynical bent, you'd swear it was a publicity stunt. Almost exactly three years after her well received debut Frank, Amy Winehouse” | John Murphy Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 84 | 2006 |
 TriviumThe Crusade“Trivium have mapped out their career so far exactly as a fist-bitingly young band should by producing two quality albums and touring, touring and then” | Ian Robinson Read the review | 60 3/5 | 63 | 2006 |
 MastodonBlood Mountain“The buzz surrounding Mastodon has grown unremittingly since their sophomore album Leviathan hit the racks in 2004, leading to the Georgian quartet signing” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | 2006 |
 Bob DylanModern Times“2006 sees the return of the great American poet. This is a new Bob Dylan album. Earlier this year Neil Young made where he stands on the state of the” | Barnaby Smith Read the review | 60 3/5 | 86 | 2006 |
 HatebreedSupremacy“There is nothing that is more dangerous to your own salvation, more unworthy of God and more harmful to your own happiness, than that you should be” | not named Read the review via Wikipedia | 80 4/5 | 73 | 2006 |
 MuseBlack Holes and Revelations“Black Holes And Revelations – you don't get album titles bigger than that. Muse, the most flamboyantly inventive band to emerge from the British isles” | Michael Hubbard Read the review | 80 4/5 | 79 | 2006 |
 LostprophetsLiberation Transmission“Much to the chagrin of my fellow heavy metal friends, I have always had a soft spot for lostprophets, having been drawn to the jump-around youthfulness” | Ian Robinson Read the review | 60 3/5 | 75 | 2006 |
 Pet Shop BoysFundamental“Trevor Horn joins Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe for the thinking person's electropop album of 2006” | Michael Hubbard Read the review | 80 4/5 | 80 | 2006 |
 Mobb DeepBlood Money“It's been almost two years since the world was utterly underwhelmed by Amerikaz Nightmare, but someone was listening. And someone's eyes were lit up by” | Azeem Ahmad Read the review | 40 2/5 | 61 | 2006 |
 Snow PatrolEyes Open“A few years back, 'indie' meant small, slightly scratchy, a bit raw and challenging. Never particularly commercially successful, but much beloved by the” | John Murphy Read the review | 60 3/5 | 69 | 2006 |
 Pearl JamPearl Jam“If and when Eddie Vedder and cohorts decide to retire from making music they should think about getting jobs at their local colleges teaching would-be” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 80 4/5 | 76 | 2006 |
 WolfmotherWolfmother“It's been 30 years since Punk Rock, and to celebrate, there have been myriad articles from those who were there about how important it all was. One of the” | Sam Shepherd Read the review | 80 4/5 | 78 | 2006 |
 In FlamesCome Clarity“Lacklustre, predictable and unimaginative – three words that will never lie at the foundation of any opinion formed of one of Gothenburg's finest musical” | Tom Day Read the review | 80 4/5 | 79 | 2006 |
 DragonForceInhuman Rampage“Have you ever had one of those days? You know, jut like the one Fred Durst penned a ditty about back when nu-metal was cool? "Where you wake up,” | Tom Day Read the review | 80 4/5 | 74 | 2006 |
 KornSee You on the Other Side“The Beatles did it. U2 do it. Madonna does it. Metallica do it. And while they not be quite as squillion-selling as those acts (though 25 million albums” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 62 | 2005 |
 System of a DownHypnotize“So this is it – the second half of System Of A Down's Mezmerize/Hypnotize double album (or 'two album set' as they call it) – and it's got a hell…” | Chris Ingold Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 79 | 2005 |
 BabyshamblesDown in Albion“Stop the presses! Hold the phones! Pick your jaws up from the floor, as 2005 ends with Babyshambles making headlines for an event related to music. Given” | Tim Lee Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 63 | 2005 |
 Robbie WilliamsIntensive Care“As opening lines go, Ghosts' "Here I stand victorious, the only man who made you come" is amongst the higher echelons of bombastic ballsiness. Guy” | Michael Hubbard Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 64 | 2005 |
 Depeche ModePlaying the Angel“Close your eyes and you'd think we were back in the good old days of the concept album. From the title to the footnote on the back of the CD…” | Helen Wright Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 74 | 2005 |
 Fiona AppleExtraordinary Machine“No matter what marvellous things the internet has given us over the last few years, it has to be said that it's robbed the music industry of its mystique” | John Murphy Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 83 | 2005 |
 Bullet for My ValentineThe Poison“Remember Going For Gold, that dodgy daytime quiz show hosted by Henry Kelly that was supposed to be pan-European but had odds blatantly stacked in favour” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 60 3/5 | 74 | 2005 |
 Franz FerdinandYou Could Have It So Much Better“We build them up, then knock them down. It's the English way. Even as Franz Ferdinand were taking on all-comers last year, you could almost hear the” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 83 | 2005 |
 Ryan AdamsJacksonville City Nights“The sleeve notes to Jacksonville City Nights reveal Ryan Adams sporting a rather fine bushy beard. This reflects his welcome return to plaid shirts and” | Barnaby Smith Read the review | 80 4/5 | 75 | 2005 |
 Katie MeluaPiece by Piece“Katie Melua's rise to success took many people aback. The 19 year old rose without trace to become the biggest selling album artist of 2004, seemed to be” | John Murphy Read the review | 80 4/5 | 66 | 2005 |
 The Rolling StonesA Bigger Bang“According to the latest findings, not only is the universe still growing, but the rate of expansion is constantly accelerating. Which means, not only are” | Steve Hands Read the review | 80 4/5 | 75 | 2005 |
 OpethGhost Reveries“Opeth have been hailed as the saviours of metal by fans and the rock press alike. Thankfully, despite their obvious talents Opeth seem more keen on” | Tom Day Read the review | 60 3/5 | 90 | 2005 |
 Fat JoeAll or Nothing“Forgive me father for I have sinned. It has been two weeks since my last confession. I have lusted in my heart and coveted another man's wife, and I” | Alexis Kirke Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 67 | 2005 |
 Missy ElliottThe Cookbook“Missy Elliott has had some timely publicity in the UK with her own Pop Idol style show Road To Stardom and her pivotal role in launching the success of” | Azeem Ahmad Read the review | 80 4/5 | 74 | 2005 |
 Foo FightersIn Your Honor“Dave Grohl and co prove they still rock, both louder and quieter than they have before” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 70 | 2005 |
 System of a DownMezmerize“And so here it is. The most eagerly anticipated heavy metal album of the year. Or, to be more precise, the first instalment of the two planned 2005” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 84 | 2005 |
 Porcupine TreeDeadwing“With their eighth studio album Porcupine Tree continue to defy categorisation. Down the years, since their humble beginnings in 1988 when they consisted” | Paul Woloszyn Read the review | 80 4/5 | 83 | 2005 |
 Kaiser ChiefsEmployment“To bear the name Kaiser you just can't be anybody. The original kaisers were the emperors of the old Holy Roman Empire. It was a line which lasted almost” | Jamil Ahmad Read the review | 80 4/5 | 74 | 2005 |
 Judas PriestAngel of Retribution“It's 2005 and the Priest is back! Now with the mighty Rob Halford back in the fold can Judas Priest resurrect their past glories? If you close your eyes” | Neil Daniels Read the review | 80 4/5 | 68 | 2005 |
 Arcade FireFuneral“Music can entertain, but it can do so much more. It can act as catharsis. It can paint aural pictures of neighbourhoods hitherto unknown to the listener.” | Michael Hubbard Read the review | 80 4/5 | 90 | 2005 |
 Jack JohnsonIn Between Dreams“In Between Dreams is the third album from laid-back Hawaiian singer-songwriter and former surf champion Jack Johnson. There's been minimal musical” | Natasha Tripney Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 59 | 2005 |
 The Mars VoltaFrances the Mute“You don't have to look far beyond the plush headgear of the front sleeve's two motorists to realise that this is the year's most predictable album.” | Tom Woods Read the review | 80 4/5 | 71 | 2005 |
 ClutchBlast Tyrant“Consistency is surely the most elusive of attributes in the music industry today. All too common is the formula of stunning debut followed swiftly by the” | Tom Day Read the review | 80 4/5 | 70 | 2005 |
 AkonTrouble“On the face of it Akon (real name Aliaune Thiam) could be just another 50 Cent type, a kid who struggled, had run-ins with the law and ended up making” | Azeem Ahmad Read the review | 20 1/5 | 49 | 2005 |
 The GameThe Documentary“You see, it's all just a game, ladies and gentlemen, and the quality of your living depends entirely on your ability to play the game… and I play the” | Ben Hogwood Read the review | 80 4/5 | 77 | 2005 |
 Kings of LeonAha Shake Heartbreak“I can take or leave The Strokes. Hell, I can even live without The Killers and Constantines if push comes to shove. But the Kings Of Leon – now there's” | David Welsh Read the review | 80 4/5 | 75 | 2004 |
 R.E.M.Around the Sun“With the release of Automatic For The People in 1992, R.E.M. sealed their position as one of the biggest bands in the world. They'd been gathering” | John Murphy Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 61 | 2004 |
 Tom WaitsReal Gone“An industrial clanking, eerie atmospherics and then that voice – a mysterious, growling, croaking instrument completely unlike anything you've ever heard.” | John Murphy Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 71 | 2004 |
 InterpolAntics“Every band keenly feels the stresses of coming up with a second album. This is in marked contrast to the years of casual song development and playful” | Richard Fewster Read the review | 80 4/5 | 81 | 2004 |
 Natasha BedingfieldUnwritten“Anything you can do, I can do better, as the old saying goes. For Natasha Bedingfield, that statement is no small thing – her older brother Daniel is, as” | David Welsh Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 74 | 2004 |
 BjörkMedúlla“It's been well documented that Björk's fifth solo album – and first since 2001's Vespertine – is her "vocals only" album. And given Björk's penchant for” | Sarah McDonnell Read the review | 80 4/5 | 82 | 2004 |
 213The Hard Way“It's the late 1980s; this reviewer is still in nappies while somewhere in California something very special is beginning. While Dr Dre and his cronies are” | Azeem Ahmad Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 74 | 2004 |
 The Dillinger Escape PlanMiss Machine“In 2002 The Dillinger Escape Plan supported Armenian-American art-metallers System Of A Down on their UK tour. Frankly, DEP were rubbish. Any semblance of” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 79 | 2004 |
 RushFeedback“This is Rush's 30th anniversary year. That's right – when Geddy Lee and chums started their recording career The Darkness weren't out of their spandex” | not named Read the review | 60 3/5 | 60 | 2004 |
 The CureThe Cure“Having not been averse to wearing a spot of black (and purple) in the '80s and early '90s, it was not without a frisson of excitement that I turned to…” | Caroline Bansal Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 71 | 2004 |
 UnderoathThey’re Only Chasing Safety“When does a band's "evolution" in its sound become so far removed from what went before that the band really ought to change its name? How many original” | not named Read the review | 80 4/5 | 60 | 2004 |
 Beastie BoysTo the 5 Boroughs“Since Hello Nasty dropped in 1998, Beastie Boys fans have been witnessed the release of various compilations and anthologies, with no significant new” | David Welsh Read the review | 80 4/5 | 77 | 2004 |
 Velvet RevolverContraband“The Guns 'N Roses joke stopped being funny, ooh, around 1995 when it became clear that an album of new material was about as likely as a Chinese Democracy” | Vik Bansal Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 73 | 2004 |
 Alanis MorissetteSo-Called Chaos“In 1995 a hard-edged Canadian woman released an album called Jagged Little Pill which could claim to have revitalized music for the 1990s. It was” | Neil Daniels Read the review | 80 4/5 | 69 | 2004 |
 MorrisseyYou Are the Quarry“Before we begin, I suppose I should come clean and own up to being a Morrissey fan. Of course, for any other recording artist on God's holy earth this” | Andy Thompson Read the review | 50 2.5/5 | 69 | 2004 |
 D12D12 World“Eminem, Kon Artis, Kuniva, Proof and Swift – collectively known as D12 – need very little introduction. The group rose to prominence on a crest of” | Azeem Ahmad Read the review | 90 4.5/5 | 64 | 2004 |
 LostprophetsStart Something“Incubus really should copyright their sound. They sure would make a packet from these 13 tracks. Roughly translated, this means that there will be hordes” | Tom Day Read the review | 70 3.5/5 | 73 | 2004 |
 SiaColour the Small One“Australia-born Sia Kate Isobelle Furler nearly hit the big time in 2000 with the top 10 hit Taken For Granted, which mixed the beautiful strings from” | Cee Dolly Read the review | 60 3/5 | 66 | 2004 |