Whats all this?
April 24th, 2008
Apparently, we’re meant to have some kind of integrity and our reviews legitimacy. Its not okay to review albums on the basis of a quick skip through the tracks and a look over the press release: WTF?
As the only album I’ve reviewed, for this publication, I listened to over and over again before I knew I was doing the review I can’t really comment directly, but I know damn rightly when I first get an album I can pretty much get it enough to report it fairly accurately. Yes there are grower albums, which are often the most rewarding eventually, but if you’re listening to an album professionally then you ought to be able to get it done soon. If it sounds like horror, then you write that down and skip on…
Or rather not. If you’re doing it, then its your job. We’re meant to be professional about it. Listen through it, a couple of times. I’m sure we’ll all get a good enough ear that we can hear the opening note, divine the rest of the song instantly and probably have the review written mentally before you’ve pealed the plastic off. But not yet. Well not me, anyway.
I can’t believe the Guardian thought there was a debate here.
Andrew Booth is an intercontinental dandy. He is co-writing his first novel Jackdaw Fool.
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This is why I try to avoid doing reviews. There have been far to many times when my own prejudices and musical ignorance got in the way of appreciating an innovative artist or break out album. No way can you judge a record in one or two listens, never mind 30 seconds. Steven Wells is an admitted hack.
How can you slate something you haven’t finished listening to? What if the second half is incredible? Even if the first half is terrible, you’re going to look like a fool for missing the best Side B of the decade.
In seriousness though, even questioning this is reflecting badly on the Guardian. Everyone skips tracks on iPods, but a print review isn’t like a “first impressions” thing you throw together. Or I didn’t think it was.
As for Maxim, anyone who bases their opinions on the review section of that deserves to miss out on the Black Crowes’ undoubtedly fantastic new album.