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FUNKED UP

2117¬Montreal's foremost exponenents of Prince-inspired dirty funk are back with their new album. Critics so far are impressed, Rave Magazine seeing the album as an affirmation of the band's unique style.¬False¬

Middle of the Trail

2101¬Rootsy folkster Ray Lamontagne continues his career as a Radio 2 botherer with his new album. Critics see it as competent but hardly revolutionary, scores coming it at around 6 or 7.¬False¬

Towering achievement?

2098¬There's a very rare 10/10 from The Skinny for the rapper, pianist and producer's album, released to accompany a feature film also written and produced by the maverick Canadian. Such enthusiasm is not shared by the BBC or music OMH, who regard it as interesting but only partially successful.¬True¬
The Maximalist

Thomas White

The Maximalist

Second solo release of psych-edged indie rock from the multi-instrumentalist former member of Electric Soft Parade who also plays with Brakes, Clowns, Patrick Wolf and many others

Critics average rating

5.8

Label
Cooking Vinyl
Release date
15/03/2010
  1. 8.0 |  The Quietus

    A solo effort that should not be overlooked
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |  Uncut

    Print edition only

  3. 6.5 |  The Line Of Best Fit

    The album falters under the weight of ideas fighting their way into pleasingly coasting subtleties
    Read Review

  4. 6.0 |  Mojo

    Print edition only

  5. 6.0 |  Q

    Print edition only

  6. 5.0 |  The Music Fix

    It frames moments of brilliance around a skeleton of unjustified drama and it has all the hallmarks of a concept album except an actual concept
    Read Review

  7. 5.0 |  music OMH

    White's talent is clearly evident, but buried underneath a lack of focus and perhaps a desire to do too much
    Read Review

  8. 5.0 |  The Fly

    Frustratingly inconsistent
    Read Review

  9. 4.0 |  Drowned In Sound

    These songs come to no conclusion and fail to lock into any groove or mood the listener may care to repeat
    Read Review

  10. 4.0 |  God Is In The TV

    White seems to be trying far too hard to achieve non-conformity and possesses a will to escape comparison. His abilities are proven but this venture does him a disservice
    Read Review

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Track preview & download

Thomas White: The Maximalist

  • Download full album for just £7.99
  • 1. Introducing the Band £0.99
  • 2. Jerusalem Thorn £0.99
  • 3. The Last Blast £0.99
  • 4. Moonlight and Snow £0.99
  • 5. The Weekend £0.99
  • 6. Synapse Galaxy £0.99
  • 7. The Devil in a Trojan Horse £0.99
  • 8. Accidentally Like a Martyr £0.99
  • 9. Starry Night #4 £0.99
  • 10. A Bitter Pill £0.99
  • 11. Look At Them £0.99
  • 12. ...Lost £0.99
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Back On Top?

2114¬The Manic Street Preachers have had something of a critical rebirth with their last two albums, and that trend looks set to continue with their latest offering. The Line of Best Fit call it a "wonderful album", while The Fly reckon they "are in the form of their life". With only a few reviews in so far, it seems we could have a contender for the higher echelons of our chart.¬True¬

Pain and pleasure

2105¬Can the third of the three Mancunian electro-ish bands which featured in the BBC's Sound of 2010 list emulate the success of their counterparts, Delphic and Everything Everything? The jury's still out so far. NME is a big fan of the duo's 80s-inspired synthpop anthems, but The Guardian is far from convinced, and others find the album stylish but unremarkable. ¬True¬

Dream team?

2070¬You would imagine that one revered master of popular music working with the material of another revered master of popular music would result in something quite special. However that doesn't appear to be the case, according to many critics. Some find the album partially successful, others are seriously underwhelmed, such as The Guardian, which describes it as "horrible". ¬True¬

Mixed reactions

2106¬Very mixed views around on the fourth album from New York's prime purveyors of post-punk gloom, now back at their old label, Matador. Most critics accept they've moved on from the danceable rhythms and singalong hooks that leavened their earlier work. The reaction to what remains is very varied: some, such as Uncut, regard it is refined and elegant; others such as Spin regard the new material as dull rather than hypnotic. ¬True¬