Matt Charlton

HoodOutside Closer(Domino)Coming off the icy tones of Cold House, it’s surprising how warm of a record Hood has made now. Not to say that the band has pushed all of their trademark wallowing in a pit of lo-fi sadness sound to the side—they’ve just surrounded it with plusher production. This change is also aided by […]

Mark GardenerThese Beautiful GhostsUfoThe former frontman of Ride, Mark Gardener is now regarded as a kind of fallen hero. The band created a wealth of influential music on its first two records before dry-heaving up two more and falling apart in the process. Still, its music has developed a lasting fan base among people who […]

Dizzee RascalShowtime (XL)Seeing that prior attempts at street culture have included Westlife and Bradley from S Club 7, it’s amazing that two of the most exciting voices in modern hip-hop come from England. While The Streets has had more success with an indie-rock crowd, Dizzee Rascal has fallen in with the actual hip-hop community. On […]

We Are ScientistsWith Love and Squalor(EMI/Virgin)It’s never going to be said that With Love and Squalor was a pivotal point in any movement. We Are Scientists’ sound is an ultra-hip patchwork of well-placed tips of the hat which, on the whole, create a charming overview of the current state of indie-rock. While this leaves them […]

Thievery CorporationThe Cosmic Game (Esi)Thievery Corporation has taken their spacey dub sound even further on The Cosmic Game. With the help of several guest vocalists, the duo has merged aggressive and subtle elements into a downbeat groove that holds the album’s core. The most apparent of these ventures is the inclusion of Wayne Coyne on […]

FeistLet it Die(Arts and Crafts)On her solo debut, Leslie Feist creates the ultimate indie kid makeout album (Air’s Talkie Walkie well considered). With her vibrant voice ringing out over sparsely arranged tracks, things flow in a simple but accomplished manner. Though most of the album is covers, it is her own “Mushaboom” that’s the real […]

Justin TimberlakeFutureSex/LoveSounds (Sony/BMG)This album isn’t about the final step in Justin Timberlake’s move away from his boy-band past. It’s not about a pop idol returning to reclaim his throne. It’s not a statement of sexual liberation or a collection of smartly written songs. FutureSex/LoveSounds is about nothing more than hormones and killer grooves, and that’s […]

The Mars VoltaFrances the Mute(Universal)There are bad albums, but not many have voyaged into the pretentious regions of superfluous fodder that make up Frances the Mute. The Mars Volta have gone beyond disappointing fans to giving them a cold, hard slap in the nuts. Want a hook? Try and find it amidst what feels like […]