I know this isn’t exactly an original concept (news websites to other blogs use MBM to cover elections, Apple Announcements, Premership matches etc.), but THIS iteration of MBM will be used to review album and EP releases.
Why use MBM to review an album? Simple. Since albums are dying off (see iTunes, digital downloads, the last 10 years) as a format for releasing music I think it’s right to get a bit critical of the format. An MBM style of reviewing suits album releases very well, in that my (perhaps others) reviews will be streams of consciousness, quite like the way an album should flow etc. Hopefully it will be complementary, though it will probably have few/some/many terrible moments.
The self imposing rules of MBM Reviews.
- The listening posted will always be the first ever listening of the album, from beginning to end. (I may have heard the singles, a remix, in a bar etc. but never the whole album). The reason is important, to have common ground of first listen between albums reviewed. If you want, return after a while and do a 10th listen review of the album again.
- A short paragraph of summaries and reflection shall footnote every review. This is for any overall comment on the album, as a whole, which wouldn’t be expressed in the context of MBM. Keep it short and sweet.
- Additional information (geotagging where the album was listened to, photos of the place, weather, etc. May be added at the descretion of the reviewer). Albums are very personal things, and this should be encouraged. Make it as personal as you like. It could be a nice way to find a nook for album listening to co-exist with other music/audio consumption.
If anyone else wants to try this out, then go ahead. I’d ask that you just let me know how you get on, send a link on twitter @colmhewson , or suggest adding something to those 3 rules to go by. I’d like to think of it as a framework. It is, admittedly, slightly biased and personal, but change what you will. It’s just an idea.
