Rating: 4/5
…
“Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will” is a record that shows Mogwai are eager to explore new territory. It’s not perfect, and some of these songs feels like B-side throwaways to me, but as always, it’s a thrill to follow them into the unknown.

Rating: 4/5
…
Back in 1993 when “Earth 2″ hit the streets, nobody would have said that Earth would end up a psychedelic country outfit, but look where we are now. “Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1″ may not be a landmark for the band, but it stands with its two predecessors as a strong statement for any artists who wish to redefine themselves. In this case, it took a suicide and drug addiction, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t another way.

Rating: 4.5/5
…
There’s a rumour that “Recitation” is Envy’s final album. If that is true, then this sadly leaves quite a bit to the listener’s imagination. They don’t reach previous peaks, though much of “Recitation” comes close. Fans of the band will undoubtedly enjoy this offering, but new listeners would be wise to check out their classic “A Dead Sinking Story” first.

Rating: 5/5 …

I drooled at the mindboggling concept of a Mogwai concert album and film. This is one of the few bands that has made me physically lose my breath; it was during an apocalyptic rendition of their classic track “Mogwai Fear Satan” in the darkened club So What! in Oslo in the late nineties. So expectations were running quite high—to say the least—when I opened the package from the record store. Would my expectations for this album be fulfilled? Oh, yes.

Rating: 4.5/5

Kayo Dot is not your typical rock/metal act. They succeed at pushing the limits of categorization completely off a cliff and if anything, you should listen to this album if you are interested in expanding your horizons without actually using an illicit substance.

If you’re looking to escape the stresses of life, this is a good place to start. The harmonies are always consonant, the guitars always sound pleasing, and the songwriting is fluid and consistent. The only thing that really bumps this down from a 4.5 to a 4 for me is the lack of creativity. They don’t go out of their way to make their own unique sound. When you get down it, though, that really doesn’t matter.