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Allan Raible's Take on the New Music Worth a Listen.
Allan Raible writes about music and the music industry. He is based in New York.
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Magazine Reviews CD Without Listening to It
February 26, 2008 3:08 PM
News has hit that Maxim magazine has published a review for the Black Crowes’ new album “Warpaint” without actually hearing the album. Hmmmm. The band was upset to find this out since apparently they didn’t send out promotional copies of the album. They posted this on their site. LINK Maxim apologized, but is the damage done?
Of course, Maxim isn’t exactly a dense read. It’s best known as a showcase for partially-clothed models and frat boy humor. Nevertheless, any title or website's readers should safely assume that reviews are actually reviews. Taking a critical look at an artist's content should entail a familiarization with said content.
Consider the possible ramifications of a reviewer taking an “educated guess.” A bad review could harm a career; a good review could cause a sales-spurt for a sub-par record. When the reviewer - reader relationship works well, the reader uses the criticism to inform his purchasing choices.
And as a music reviewer (one who listens to everything he reviews, I might add), I’m thinking this could also undermine the work of good rock journalists .
What do you think?
February 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (31)
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Figures.Hey Chris Robinson-send me a copy,i am a huge fan& i will write a reveiw for free.Maxim isn't read in my house anyway,will wait for TS to rveiw it.Trust them more anyway.
Posted by: lauras_webproject | Feb 26, 2008 8:56:19 PM
oops-RS(Rolling Stone)sry about that
Posted by: lauras_webproject | Feb 26, 2008 8:57:00 PM
Gee, does this mean that Maxim is no longer the high-quality publication I have come to expect? Guess I'll just have to get my news from the remaining respectable periodicals -- Stuff and Barely 18.
Posted by: Curt | Feb 26, 2008 9:08:39 PM
Ever heard Frank Zappa's definition of rock journalism?
People who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read.
Posted by: Sam Swank | Feb 26, 2008 10:22:46 PM
It's just the literary version of lip-synching, and it only fills up the space between ads and skanks, so get over it.
Posted by: kbbpll | Feb 26, 2008 11:20:49 PM
Lady Luck shines for the Black Crowes.
Now more than ever folks will be curious about the albums contents.
And at Maxim's expense and reputation !
Posted by: Orilla | Feb 27, 2008 3:39:44 AM
Lady Luck shines for the Black Crowes.
Now more than ever folks will be curious about the albums contents.
And at Maxim's expense and reputation !
Posted by: Orilla | Feb 27, 2008 3:39:48 AM
Hey this article is just the usual trash from one of the usual suspects. I can't believe you're still trying to make a living pushing the words out like this.
Oh wait a second, I've got some time. I'm going to actually read your article before I comment. Be back later.
ta-ta.
Posted by: IReviewForALiving | Feb 27, 2008 4:16:40 AM
Here's their "apology." It's ok to review an album without hearing it - just not give it a star rating.
To our readers:
It is Maxim's editorial policy to assign star ratings only to those albums that have been heard in their entirety. Unfortunately, that policy was not followed in the March 2008 issue of our magazine and we apologize to our readers.
James Kaminsky
Editorial Director, Maxim
Posted by: Neo Politicus | Feb 27, 2008 6:41:43 AM
Most new music isn't worth listening to anyways. We've had a president that hasn't read or listened to any facts for the last 8 yrs....is there any diffence?? Oh yeah one might effect the number of cd's sold and the other has ruined a country..My bad.
Posted by: Terri508 | Feb 27, 2008 7:13:52 AM
"is there any difference?" ha ha very stupid correlation, terri...I'm pretty liberal, but I still don't think the country's been "ruined" lol I know, I know...you have no food on the table, right? Sell your computer and pick up some rice a roni, then...and do you know why there's no good music? Becuase people are comfortable...you need real pain and suffering to create some deep sh*t...
Posted by: Jazz | Feb 28, 2008 1:38:27 PM
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