This legendary album, the centrepiece of the so-called "Doom Trilogy", has waited nearly 30 years to be issued on CD, such has been its author's reputed disenchantment with it. Over that time, On The Beach has become a sort of Holy Grail to Neil Young CD buyers, its continuing unavailability adding to a notoriety which began with the first round of reviews the album received in summer 1974. Early reaction to On The Beach was almost entirely negative and it was only after a certain amount of hindsight had set in that it was accorded any respect, let alone admiration.

The Great American Sacred Cow treads water with turgid set

Swan song from Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy's post-punk trailblazers. Includes five add-ons

Part-new album, part-remix project from post-rock supergroup

Ungainly gothic masterpiece marks partial return to classic rock

The Wachowski brothers' kick-ass cyber-noir sequel bows to mainstream demands but still delivers

Engrossing parable of how the young Hitler's 'artistic' ideas went askew

Ice-cold thriller with a downhome feel from the Coen brothers

Neat odd-couple comedy ruined by abysmal ending

Gritty Southern rebel off-loads her emotional freight in a brilliantly paced set