<< 2) 5 star scale - I think it would help. Sure, everything's generic,
especially this year. But I think the majority of readers know the
reviewers' tastes well enough, to have something right there instead of
having to read the whole dang review... if someone gave every record 5
stars, then you'd take it with a grain of salt. Or at least, I think
twang fans are that smart. >>
Speaking as a writer, I tend to dislike rating systems. It seems it's the
ultimate dumbing down, as they ultimately discourage people from reading in
afvor of a quick scan. Why not eliminate the text altogether and just have a
huge list of albums and ratings? Also, as Jim C. noted, ratings systems are
severely flawed. Systems with 1-5 choices tend to end up as a three and 1-10s
tend to be 6-8. I remember when allstarmang.com first launched and we were all
doing reviews. The editor had to ask all of us to try and reconsider giving
every album a seven. But it just seemed a natural. Six, it seemed, was a bit
too unkind for a decent effort and eight too lavish.
So what's the point?
And while I have you, I just gotta wonder what's bugging Chad about this year
in music? I think it's ridiculous to delare it mediocre or generic or what
have you, especially 40 days into it. All I know is, I'm *thrilled* about
several releases that have come my way already. At least one, the new
Sparklehorse, I've already penciled in for several years worth of enjoyment.
Point is, there's waaay too much music out there to ever claim the artform is
devoid of something fresh and engaging. Sometimes you just have to look harder
than usual, or just expand your horizons.
Back to the grind.
Neal Weiss
np - Westerberg's new one
