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Author Topic: Music Reviews  (Read 5230 times)
clynch
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« on: June 29, 2004, 04:50:47 PM »
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The aim of this thread is to gather information on how we write, read and use music reviews. I've been struggling, trying to put together a short review or two. For the most part I've given up reading reviews.  I find the typical review formulaic and insipid... and if it's not that then it's fucking flowery and cloying.

When I do read reviews I tend to read the reviews of albums I already like, or of bands that I follow. The album has already been listened to, and the purpose of the review--to introduce listeners to new bands--has been undermined. Reading these reviews is an attempt to confirm what I already think. I either feel satisfied that others are noticing the same things in an album, or feel like the reviewer is an idiot and that I am better than him. I don't think this is of much use.

When I come across a review for a band I have not heard, I go straight for the rating. If it is an average or low score I do not read the article. If it is a high score I tend to read the first paragraph, and then move to the last. I won't touch the guts of the article unless the reviewer impresses or hooks me in some way. But all I'm after is the critique > the overall impression. I don't care for the details, track by tracks, comparisons to other albums, that are usually in the body of the article.

Just looking for some input here. When you search out reviews what are your reading habits? What information are you after?
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A-Law
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« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2004, 02:53:26 PM »
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Interesting thread.

I tend to read reviews of bands I've heard of or to check out an album I was thinking of buying. Very rarely do I read reviews of artists I don't know, unless I notice that there's a buzz around them. Like this Nellie McKay chick. I read a bit about her, then a few positive reviews, then I bought the album.

I tend to read reviews in Paste, Blender and the Onion. That's about it. I think my tastes jive with them, so I continue to check in with them. I hear what you're saying about the generic review, which is something I am guilty of sometimes. Still, the music section of any magazine is the one I go directly to, whether it's Entertainment Weekly, or People, or even Time.

acl
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graham
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« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2004, 05:29:16 PM »
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when I'm writing I try to strike a balance between talking about the music without falling prey to the same review cliches.

but I don't want to confuse those who may be reading who haven't read many many reviews before . . .

and for the record, the first paragraph of my Local H review was totally fucked up by editing.  Like, changing the entire meaning of the paragraph. . .
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ashmatty
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« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2004, 04:51:34 AM »
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it was? that was Matt Brown's doing i think. or maybe sonja. what was it originally?

when i write reviews i just write what's on my mind and don't really think about any of this shit. i think reviewing albums is one of the few things in this life that doesn't benefit from in-depth analysis. some reviews are boring, others are cool. usually reviews should be shorter than they are, but not always. and reviews should have an equal balance of a) the reviewer's opinion, b) basic description of the music and c) facts/info about the artist. i hate reviews that strictly describe the music to me - no one is ever gonna be able to perfectly describe what something sounds like, and if i wanna know i'll listen to the album. similarly, it sucks if i finish a review and still have no idea what the record might sound like. similarly, it sucks if i finish a review and i have no idea if the reviewer liked it, hated it, or had any other strong opinions on it.

for discussion's sake, we should post reviews we like and reviews we don't like.

- Ash out
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Sonja
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« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2004, 11:24:44 AM »
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It wasn't me that edited, I don't think. For one thing, I have a real problem with editing people's sentences into sounding like something else completely.....even if it sounded like shit the first time. Also, I do more copy editing than content, so if you're pissed about me moving a comma or something, piss off Smiley

 :twisted:
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