Review Worthy: When The Press Stops Listening
Posted February 25, 2008 — in KOAR Rants
He who writes first will determine success or failure of a particular album. This has become a common complaint among promoters. Whichever publication is first to review an album will trigger a series of similar reviews, which could either bury the record, or turn it into the new ‘must download.’ This fear of the domino effect has left many promoters holding on much tighter to advances, careful to leak earliest to those who will have a favorable opinion because of past reviews, personal opinions, or a love of free t-shirts. Why does this happen? Simple- there is no integrity left in music journalism.
KOAR posted an article in June of last year discussing the breakdown between the label and press due to the volume of material and shortage of employees/respectable outlets. The problems discussed in that piece have only gotten worse. Everyone involved is still overwhelmed with material, and there are even fewer places with credibility. Add the issue of every album being a virtual roll of the dice, quality-wise, and a population of artists who are quickly losing hope, and I think it would be fair to say we are at the end. How long we wait here for a new beginning and how dark it gets is yet to be determined.
The new Black Crowes album Warpaint received a less than stellar review by writer David Peisner in March’s issue of Maxim, who wrote, “They sound pretty much like they always have.” One problem- he’s never even heard it. The label isn’t making advance copies available. If that’s not startling enough, the editor essentially responded with “We either make stuff up about you or you aren’t gonna be in our magazine.” The Crowes were pissed. As they well should be. They can now expect 30 more ‘it’s more of the same’ reviews, as more bloggers and writers plagiarize the original fake review, because that’s faster than listening to the album and forming an original thought.
This level of unprofessionalism is common these days, and writing a review without actually listening to it is a skill that many writers have down to an art form. Some choose to review other people’s reviews, and some simply project their prejudices based on their critical assessment of the band’s name, song titles, myspace/website and photo. I am sure this Black Crowes review is not the first bullshit article to make it into the magazine, and Maxim is far from the only publication willing to print fluffy fabrications. How much does this hurt the artist? Is the Black Crowes new album doomed to obscurity, coveted by only the most hardcore of existing Black Crowes fans? Will there be no single, no video, no world tour…no future, all because of one bad writer poisoning the well?
I have no idea. I haven’t heard the album. Maybe they wouldn’t have had those things even with a string of excited, positive press. Or maybe it will be the album that changes the course of modern music, despite the bad press. Perhaps you cannot stop an album from fulfilling it’s destiny. Greatness always rises to the top, right? I think that’s a romantic notion, and as a firm believer in the cosmic power of music, I’d like to believe it. However, it seems artists today have a lot of forces working against them. This industry has broken, and that doesn’t only affect the major labels. It affects every facet of the music world, from how it is distributed, to how it is promoted, to how it is performed, to how it is received by the public to, ultimately, the artists themselves.
Artists have conceded the labels. They watched radio and television eliminate themselves from the opportunities list. They gave up the money in the name of ‘freedom’. They bounce around the disorganized distribution systems, waiting to see who wins; and now press, in its transition period, has tuned out to them completely, finding plagiarism and pure fabrication preferable to listening to their music or finding out anything about them. Musicians have been quite passive in these turbulent times. Maybe the dissolution of press will be the catalyst they need to become more involved, but it will probably just be another nail in their coffin. Strap on your aprons and ready your name tags.
-Angela ‘AJ’ Jenson
Great article but there is hope. I like you think there is some major conspiracy in the biz. Then comes along a man from Ireland Glen Hansard, who beats the machine and walks away with the prize for best new song in a movie. Hope is restored. Real talent and hard work for many many years should pay off. This guy quit school at 13 and played music on the streets for years. He does have a somewhat successful band in Ireland but no real fame until now. We have a new generation of up and coming musicians that want the big money right away. Well forget it. It might take 20 years like it did for this guy. Real talent will always surface someway somehow and be rewarded.
Comment by Leslie Bennett — February 25, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
‘Real talent will always surface someway somehow and be rewarded.’
That’s good then. I can go tell everyone to keep at it for another 20 years.
Comment by Julian Moore — February 26, 2008 @ 2:15 am
“Musicians have been quite passive in these turbulent times.”
Hardly. We have a great disc, a great live show, and great fans. For what it’s worth, we come from a small pond, but have made a big splash. That splash has come from all of the hard work, money, and 20hr days, etc. that we put into this band. In fact, we have to work extra hard BECAUSE the machine is broken. Granted, not every band out there has the same work ethic as we do. But our hard work translates to “how do we cope with the dissolving industry?” and “we need to find new ways to hit harder.” Musicians, as a whole, have not lead any sort of metaphorical march, like angry villagers, waving torches and pitchforks, demanding that the industry change. It would be of no use. The powers-that-be couldn’t care less and we know that. They have their money, and that’s all they care about. So, we adapt and hit the ground running. We write and play music. We try to capture the masses. But signing up on every single social networking site, entering every “battle of the band” contest, new music sharing site, etc, etc, etc, etc, scraping together enough money for the next show, and saving some for studio time, responding to fans, working with streetteamers, designing merchandise, updating all of the websites (that you just signed up on…), (and less we forget)actually practicing with the band, writing new music, etc etc. is HARDLY being passive in this turbulent industry. In fact, the workload of being in a band gets larger all of the time. With that said, if I actually had a place to march to, torch and pitchfork in hand, I just might. What’s one more thing to toss on the pile? Just file that under “useless.” And who would we bitch to? Maybe an email address, an automated phone system, and/or a personal assistant that will never let us speak to the big cheese. But who is that “big cheese” that sits behind the desk, pulling the strings in the industry? That would be every senior level manager of every single label, media outlet, etc etc etc. Great. Well, that narrows the field down to about 500-600 phone calls I have to make, but something tells me that the “Hey, c’mon guys…” approach wouldn’t work. Essentially, you are pushing the responsibility of the collapse of the industry onto the musician. That’s not a fair statement, considering, we’re musicians first and business people second. The people that we’re complaining to are ALL business, and that’s their job. It needs to be fixed in the root of every single label, media outlet, etc. That’s where it will hit home and actually work. As a musician, we’re only 1 piece of the puzzle. …But just show me where I can wave my torch and pitchfork.
(sorry for the rant… I’m done.)
Comment by Scott — February 26, 2008 @ 7:48 am
Not to be jerky, but yes it may for some take 20 years. It may never happen. You better go tell them it could take 20 years then if that runs them off they are not fit for this business. Persistence is the key.. a very smart insider told me that and I believe him. Scott you are going to make it if what you wrote you live. God Bless..
Comment by Leslie Bennett — February 26, 2008 @ 9:52 am
Every word of it… thank you for the positive response, Leslie. It’s very appreciated.
Comment by Scott — February 26, 2008 @ 10:26 am
You are going to make it if you wrote what you believe?
Sorry, that’s just not how it works.
I don’t even think that Hansard is that great. I much prefer Fionn Regan for that sort of thing. But he’ll be forgotten in a week or two. He won’t have a fraction of the impact that Elliott Smith had, which was marginal at best (and Elliott was infinitely more talented)… I don’t see how there’s any hope in that. “After 20 years you’ll win an award at some silly award show that hardly anyone even watched… you’ll join the ranks of Melissa Etheridge, Three 6 Mafia, & Eminem. And some guy named Jorge Drexler. (Who?) Exactly.”
Just write whatever you want & fuck what anyone else thinks. Rich Ward never made so you probably won’t, either. The Cribs-era is over. Just do something you’re going to be proud of at the end of the day. That’s all you can do until the powers that be ride their ship to the ocean floor. When the gimmicks are gone & the flashing lights finally subside, when everyone trying to “make it” finally moves on, then the talent will rise to the top. And by “talent” I don’t mean the well produced bands or the bands who worked the hardest or who “believed every word they wrote.” I mean the guy who can stand at a microphone with an acoustic guitar & have everyone in the room hang on his every word, like Dylan @ the ‘63 Newport Folk Festival. You either have it or you don’t. And those who have it probably won’t be living like kings. And they probably won’t care.
Comment by Jon Cole — February 26, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
I love Your Vegas. Thanks for the tip!
Comment by brain — February 26, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
“Scott you are going to make it if what you wrote you live.”
She said “live”, not ‘believe’.. That changes the entire meaning of the sentence.
Comment by Scott — February 26, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
It doesn’t really change what my response was. In a perfect world people would live what they believe. And they would write what they believe. But whatever.
If you work hard, even for 20 years, no one owes you anything. Music is different than pumping gas in that you can’t really choose it, you have to be chosen. I don’t care how many social networks you join, how many flyers you post, whatever. It’s possible to work the system & milk mediocrity for all it’s worth, but the system is crashing. (Thank god.)
Start a revolution, be the next Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix or Nirvana. And THEN whine about how tough things are. If you’re just some derivative radio rock band, you’re not going to get any sympathy from me. If you NEED radio or if you NEED some label, then your motivations are commercial & that’s what’s taking the ship down to begin with.
Comment by Jon Cole — February 26, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Nothing is wrong with wanting to be the biggest rock band in the world. Perception is Reality. In fact, all the legends including Led Zeppelin, Guns n Roses, Metallica, RHCP, were not happy with local or regional success.
Being in a national band brings commercial success.
Comment by koar — February 26, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Have you seen Metallica lately? They have no idea who they are anymore. It’s really pathetic. Working with Bob Rock absolutely ruined them. But that’s the system that’s sinking.
But these are all sounds that were incredibly unique. Appetite For Destruction is the last great record recorded entirely to tape, Zeppelin blew everyone around out of the water, & RHCP have always existed in their own little world… John Frusciante can’t even drive a car. You think he was out their pounding away at myspace? He plays guitar & it’s all he can do. Success came to him.
When you’re great, success often comes to you. None of those bands started out as a run-of-the-mill radio rock band.
Comment by Jon Cole — February 26, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
I also think it’s important to note that there’s a size you reach in any industry where your focus moves from whatever passion your project was birthed out of to maintaining yourself. Maxim is obviously there & then some. I feel like the music industry jumped the shark sometime in the 90’s. But it’s inevitable… size, money, revenue, expectations… the passion & the art get squeezed out at a certain point. Outside interests must be satisfied, whether it’s the WMG stock holders or Maxim’s advertisers or whatever.
Sometimes the establishment to die for something new to be born. And then the cycle starts all over. I thought the rise of blogs was a really big thing, but so many of them sold out, too. There are still great blogs. But I’m still waiting for another 1967.
Comment by Jon Cole — February 26, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
When a band is great - success comes, no doubt! Its the greatness prevails idea as discussed in the above article.
I couldn’t agree with you more about blogs selling out. Blogs are just interested in traffic - whatever that means. Blogs just talk about headline news and what is popular.
We post news to educate the music buying public and artists. Sometimes its headline news, sometimes it’s not. More importantly, we post emerging artists considering most other blogs don’t know the difference between good, great, and bad.
We are waiting for a revolution too..its about time!
Comment by koar — February 26, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
I can’t believe how stereotypical these kinds of conversations are becoming on the internet
Instead of breaking away, us musician just dig ourselves in deeper
I’m starting to feel sorry for the record companies ever having to put up with us in the first place
Comment by Julian Moore — February 26, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Jon,
I have read alot of your commentary and you really seem to have incredible insight in the industry. I don’t know anything about you, maybe you are a musician, maybe you owned a record company. Maybe that I why you speak with such authority, but one thing I disagree with is your summary of Glen Hansard. He is as powerful as Dylan. His songs cut through. Now he might not have the fame Dylan had but not many do. That history is still being written. Going to make it doesn’t mean you’ll be rich or famous. No one is promised that. But having a certain level of success on some level is a good thing especially if you are doing something you love. That’s all I m going to say about that. One more thing. I saw the Crib’s on late night TV. I thought this is the worst band I have ever seen who do they know, and who did they pay off.
Comment by Leslie Bennett — February 27, 2008 @ 7:40 am