Vocal venom lacking charm.

Harlem may have named their second album Hippies not only because they like to go against the grain, or because they sound like 60s rock, but because they appear to be having the time of their lives with not a care in the world.

Sydney's young psychedelic foursome Cassette Kids have been picked to tour with Lily Allen, the Tings Tings and New Young Pony Club, so it's no surprise they follow the same formula of very catchy, danceable pop.

This is the follow-up to the Oxford hip-shakers and knee-jerkers' accomplished but sometimes hard-going debut, Antidotes, from 2008.

By Jack Johnson's standards his fifth album begins wildly. The catchy intro to opening song and first single You And Your Heart is a slightly dissonant, almost raw, guitar strum.

Crowded House's latest addition to their career comeback is more successful than its predecessor

How do you craft a chart-topping pop album these days? The short, and easiest answer is, don't bother.