A Case Against the Numeric Music Review

Seeing, hearing vinyl records bring back so much good remembers of my childhood.

I really enjoy good music reviews and history behind music of Troubadours in Midevil Europe and History of Cajun music.

I’ve always looked at the reviews in 2 ways. One is an informative piece about the style, instrumentation, writing, performance and recording quality. Something to make me want to check out an artist I’ve not heard (so easy to do now). The second is to dive deep into an artist I already know. I know people who hate U2 with a passion, while I think they are amazing. I like to see an honest OPINION of a new release. No numerical or star count will bring a hater suddenly to a new U2 album. We live in a beautiful time when you simply pick up your phone to test drive new music, so I think critics could spend their time more wisely just pointing people in that direction.

As a member of the FM rock radio community in the 70’s and 80’s and who also did some music journalism, the approach for me was not to “tell” the reader an album was good or bad but to give an honest assessment on the song writing, musicianship, and production. This is what it sounds like and you (the music consumer)
can make the decision on whether it’s good or bad. I often approached a review that if I can’t say anything good or maintain neutrality, I won’t review it.
I always sided with the artist or band understanding the blood and sweat that goes into recording a new project. Then to have a writer in a few paragraphs rip it to shreds. I never believed in the numeric system. It’s just not fair to both the artist and music fan.
Music is an art form that can only be determined good or bad by the one who consumes it. Music journalism can only provide insight into the journey that brings it to the ears of the music fan.

Thank You for ROCKIN A REALLY
COOLEST publication!!..