20 December 2011
Here's how it works: The Recent Releases chart brings together critical reaction to new albums from more than 50 publications. It's updated daily. Albums qualify with 5 reviews, and drop out after 6 weeks into the longer timespan charts.
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Tracks the critics are loving: read then listen
" Church is still arguably the best thing they’ve done ... it would thaw the edges of even the coldest of hearts" music OMH
Listen on SpotifyListen on grooveshark
" The Lights cannot fail to put a smile on your face" Fake DIY
" The emotional centerpiece of the record is Backwords, a gorgeous, melancholy number. It’s a stunning, poignant track" The Line Of Best Fit
" The Lion's Roar is an epic tune ... an inspiring blend of marching drums, swirling woodwinds and heavy-handed piano chords, all reined in by the sisters’ gorgeous harmonies" Paste
" The memorable point of Something is standout track Ghost Tonight. Polachek's vocal abilities are really something to marvel at" BPM
" Standout track Logos is a deeply nostalgic elegy in which Gabriela’s percussive wizardry really shines through" AU Magazine
" Waveforms flows with typical electro flourishes and polyrhythmic beats before climaxing with a stunning multi-harmony coda" music OMH
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Debut album of modern country from Nashville singer-songwriter produced by Lambchop's Mark Nevers
7.7
The voice is a gift from the gods; the level of songwriting equally unnatural in one so young... The new Dolly? The new Loretta? Hell no. She's Caitlin Rose. And she's all the better for that Read Review
Caitlin’s peers will be hard pushed to find a more worthy competitor; brimming with the passion, dexterity and drive it’s necessary to have to rule the roost for years, nay decades Read Review
Rose’s debut long-player actually reins in her EP’s feistier extremes somewhat to deliver 10 tracks of timeless, simply adorned song-craft Read Review
Songs that beneath the surface sweetness possess an often surprising kick. Print edition only
At times Rose echoes greats like Loretta Lynn, but her lyrical sensibilities are her own. Print edition only
Caitlin Rose is the best thing to come out of Nashville in a long damn time Read Review
The country genre is used as a vehicle rather than a blueprint, making Own Side Now sound a surprisingly timely release Read Review
This Nashville-raised Rose is an impressive bloom Read Review
The first thing you’re likely to notice is the power of her soulful, languorous voice, but that would be nothing without tunes to back it up, and there’s tunes aplenty Read Review
The vulnerability in Caitlin’s voice chimes as true as the clink of a quarter in an old jukebox Read Review
Rose exceeded the expectations that her EP drummed up and delivered a beautiful and tender, youthfully energetic album that crosses the line Rose herself has been toeing so carefully between indie and country Read Review
Rose is blessed with a voice as sweet as Patti Page's or Patsy Cline's, and a songwriting talent that brings a flinty frankness to country's standard romantic fare Read Review
Her songwriting has taken a leap ... delivering a profusion (sometimes an excess) of memorable choruses and arrangements freighted with emotion Read Review
Never mind one to watch, here's one to hear. Read Review
An album that demands repeated listens - if only to soak up the full breadth of the talent invested Read Review
A likable record that splits the difference between indie rock and Americana Read Review
A missed opportunity but there's still plenty of time to get back on track. Print edition only
Caitlin Rose: Own Side Now
Sleigh Bells Reign Of Terror
Compromised by sanitised production. But these Bells still rock. Print edition only Uncut
Over-exposure might result in feelings of disorientation and a headache, but that's likely just the way Miller and Krauss want it. Print edition only Mojo
Shearwater Animal Joy
A set of Anglophile songs, bookish and gently melancholic. Print edition only Mojo
The sound of Americana meshing its cogs with the machinery of the world outside its grimed window. Print edition only Uncut
Meiburg’s voice is a thing of rare range and beauty, but it seems the band have yet to settle on the best way to maximise its formidable gifts music OMH
The Ting Tings Sounds From Nowheresville
One-hit wonders no more, White and de Martino now sound prepared for a big pop future. Print edition only Uncut
An insipid assault of dribbly, sub-Billie Piper pop sludge The Fly
Lambchop Mr M
It delivers softly and simply his often complex lyrics. Print edition only Mojo
Death is all around - but this is Lambchop, so the rough stuff comes wrapped in cinnamon. Print edition only Uncut
While Mr. M never comes close to a hoedown, it contains some of the most direct songs to have flown the Lambchop banner The Skinny
Speech Debelle Freedom Of Speech
The odd gauche moments remain, but her plaudits are not undeserved. Print edition only Uncut
From the get-go Freedom Of Speech takes on prisoners. Print edition only Mojo
Absorbing, epic, heartfelt and delicately nuanced – a marvellous album The Skinny
Anyone who wasn’t convinced by her debut is going to find far more to take issue with on Freedom of Speech BBC
Lana Del Rey Born to Die
Overall, this is a beautifully crafted, if limited, album AU Magazine
What's finding favour with bloggers & other review sites
The Roots undun
Drake Take Care
First Aid Kit The Lion's Roar
The Black Keys El Camino
Guided By Voices Let's Go Eat The Factory
Los Campesinos! Hello Sadness
Howler America Give Up
Craig Finn Clear Heart Full Eyes
The much anticipated debut from the NY singer-songwriter has divided the critics, with ratings ranging from a 10 from the Independent on Sunday to a 0 from Tiny Mix Tapes
Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past three years or so
Anais Mitchell Hadestown
Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
PJ Harvey Let England Shake
Ry Cooder Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down
Arcade Fire The Suburbs
Tom Waits Bad As Me
Janelle Monáe The ArchAndroid
Joanna Newsom Have One On Me
Gillian Welch The Harrow & The Harvest
Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion