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February 22, 2008
Maxim reviews new Black Crowes without hearing it
Back in November of 2006, in a review of Asobi Seksu's Denver show, I wrote the following:
I have always suspected critics' most detrimental reviews are written ahead of music actually reaching their ears. While I have no way of proving this theory, and I would eagerly accept suggestions that debunk me, I believe that a measurable percentage of critics consistently practice the type of reprehensible journalism my conspiracy rich imagination allows me to concoct. One would really have to try hard to get caught writing a review for a Rolling Stones concert that they didn't attend. Sprinkle in the obligatory walking dead mentions, adjective synonyms for awe at Jagger's still swaying hips and Reynolds-wrap it with a longing to witness the band 30 years ago and voila! Ready for print.
Hey guess what Maxim magazine just did?!
Of course, we always prefer to (sic) hearing music, but sometimes there are big albums that we don’t want to ignore that aren’t available to hear, which is what happened with the Crowes. It’s either an educated guess preview or no coverage at all, so in this case we chose the former.’”
One reason why this is not important: the journalistic integrity of Maxim is not exactly rubbing elbows with the upper echelons of literary giants.
One reason why this is important: Using a relevance scale similar to mother nature's food chain, legitimate magazine writers for magazines occupy a higher slot of influence than music bloggers. Naturally within the magazine caste exists its own separate hierarchy depending on the reputation of each publication, but surely due to immense reach and cultural penetration, even the sleaziest magazine gets more eyeballs than the best music blog. So while it's easy to write off a lazy, stupid decision by a "journalist" at Maxim, truth is it does matter. (via)
Posted by Merry Swankster at February 22, 2008 07:41 PM
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Comments
Why would anyone force themselves to listen to a Black Crowes records? You know going-in the record will be crap (all of them are you know). If we made detainees listen to the Black Crowes there would be a human rights investigation.
Posted by: crappassmusic.com at February 24, 2008 11:46 AM
I just wanted to take a sec to thank Kate Hudson for posting.
Posted by: Yonah at February 24, 2008 10:25 PM
Make no mistake: The Black Crowes are bad.....REALLY bad. Always have been. Would you listen to one of their CDs all the way through? Of course not, that is silly....and Maxim was getting paid to listen (the only way I'd do it). If someone wants to give me 500 bucks I'd listen all the way, but less than that? No way. The Black Crowes are worse than Garth Brooks.
Posted by: Black Crowes Suck at February 29, 2008 11:50 AM
Agreed.
Posted by: Jeff K at February 29, 2008 12:14 PM
What does that comment even mean? They got paid to listen to something? What? Talk about completely missing the point.
Posted by: Sebastian at February 29, 2008 02:09 PM
C'mon, that's not fair. A lot of the bands we cover here aren't better than Garth Brooks. B, double-E, double-R, U, N? Genius!
Posted by: Randall Monty at February 29, 2008 03:16 PM
I just thought it meant that the Black Crowes were bad.
Posted by: Jeff K at February 29, 2008 06:16 PM
