Is There Value To Negative Music Reviews?
By Martine Ehrenclou
Respected music industry analyst and critic Bob Lefsetz recently wrote an article that makes a point about the lack of negative music reviews in the media today. “This is not the sixties or the seventies where music criticism is an art form,” he said. “Now it’s all positive all the time.” He adds, “So much music criticism is passé… because reviewers no longer get free product, there are no press junkets, being flown to a gig like in the old days. Today the only thing you get is access, and if you say anything negative, anything at all, you’re shut out.” He also includes, “If I say anything negative I’ll instantly become a pariah, I’ll be inundated with hate on social media.”
Lefsetz’s article is referring to Beyoncé’s new album and how all the reviews are positive except one. He points a finger at music journalists for praising her new release and others, suggesting that they resist writing the truth because they are afraid of online bullies or fear being refused access to artists.
That’s true about being denied access and online bullying but that’s not why I choose not to write negative music reviews. I hand-pick artists who I think are outstanding and generally review their music in a positive light. I don’t believe in negative criticism or judgement of music. There’s no benefit to it. But in my opinion, there’s great benefit to featuring music that’s really good. Music discovery is a thrill and if we can help turn people on to some of it, that feels right to me. We feature music we can get behind and simply pass on music we can’t. That said, we can’t cover all of it as there’s plenty of music we just don’t see or don’t know about.
Lefsetz got me thinking, though. There were two subscribers who criticized us for not writing negative reviews. We were accused of a lack of credibility because of it. We hand-pick what we think is the best blues, rock, and roots music with some jazz and funk thrown in and review albums, performances, and singles in a positive light if we’re moved by them.
Did those subscribers’ comments give me pause? Yes. Did I think about their opinions? Yes. Did I change my stance because of them? No.
Believe it or not, I have been personally attacked for not including certain artists in my articles about blues, rock, and roots musicians. Not just by one, either. Artists have approached me privately on social media to hurl insults because I didn’t include them or didn’t review one of their albums. Their fans have hopped on the bullying train as well, pummeling our site with a slew of nasty comments.
Did I include those artists as a result of the bullying? No.
Personally, I value reviews of plumbers, electricians, air conditioning companies and the like because I want to hire a professional who has provided good service to others, not someone who has pissed everybody off. Music is entirely different. Music is subjective. We like what we like. How many albums have been slaughtered by critics only to be reviewed positively later on in a different context?
Take Aerosmith for instance. Fans and critics didn’t like their album Draw The Line (1977). However, the album was revived years later because a younger journalist heard their music in a new context. There are plenty of other examples but you get my point.
Much like art, music can be a Rorschach test. We can so easily project our own stuff onto it or hear it based on the mood we’re in. A review is one person’s opinion and their taste might not be the same as mine or yours. Plus, who knows if they woke up on the wrong side of the bed and needed an outlet for their shitty mood and the album to be reviewed was right in front of them.
Even if I were a virtuosic guitar player, I wouldn’t sling mud at another guitarist’s work if I didn’t like it. I’d rather just pass on reviewing their album, single or performance. I’ve done that. I’ve been to concerts only to realize that the band was off their game or the show was not up to their usual standards. I decided not to review. Maybe something happened before the show. Maybe one or two players were sick. Maybe a lot of things—we just don’t know.
Why put energy into negatively evaluating a performance or piece of music that might dissuade some music fans from buying or streaming it and forming their own opinions?
I’d rather cherry-pick great artists or bands to feature who I’m excited about and share them with people. That’s my bailiwick anyway, has been since I was in the 7th grade. Sharing mix tapes with friends was a thrill. Turning people on to new music is really fun. I like to think I have good taste in music and choose bands and artists to feature that stand above the rest.
Spotify and other streaming services do a pretty good job with their algorithms by recommending other bands and artists based on the music you like but there’s nothing like having a trusted friend or loved one say “Hey, listen up! This is fantastic!”
I refuse to write negative music reviews. It doesn’t feel right. It’s disrespectful to artists. Negative reviews can hurt. Some might not care but I do.
Why?
Because creating music is a gift. I don’t know where it comes from, but we all know that not everyone can do it. If great songwriting were simply a learned skill then more people would be great songwriters. Vocals can be trained but, if you don’t have a good voice to start with, no amount of training is going to get you there. That’s a gift, maybe a spiritual one. Negative music criticism feels mean-spirited, throws shade onto that gift, and contributes to the culture of meanness that seems to rule the modern world. That’s just my opinion.
I deeply respect highly talented musicians and realize that sometimes their albums don’t hit the mark. Maybe their vocals aren’t as good as their instrumentation or songs, or the reverse. They put their heart and soul into their writing, recording, and playing, though. Isn’t that what great blues, rock, and roots music is about? It makes you feel something. The person behind that music felt something too. Why take aim?
My enthusiasm for great music is genuine, not manipulated by publicists, record labels, or the artists, themselves. There’s no hype machine here. I write about music because I love it. Sometimes I’ve missed true gems because the hundreds of music pitches that arrive in a week are overwhelming and we miss stuff. Music brings me joy. Not all of it, but there’s always a new release that excites me because the music is just so damn good. I get a kick out of sharing it with others.
The straight skinny is this: we’re fans and we cover what turns us on. Some folks are going to complain no matter what we say so we might as well take our lumps for the music we believe in.
I welcome your comments below.
Great article. I totally agree with you. It has always been my way of doing things. If I don’t particularly care for a song, album or band I just pass on by.
Man i really dug this article. I’ve never even given that a thought. I think you are right to much negative stuff in this world. If its good scream it from the mountain tops.
If I don’t care for a particular band or song, I pass it by. I do however, appreciate the time and energy put into that song. The band’s following who love their music.
To each, their own.
Positive reactions to what you love is a driving reinforcement to creativity in my opinion.
Enjoyed this article, Martine!
I agree with not writing negative reviews. As you said in the article, music is subjective, and everybody has their unique taste. I do appreciate in music reviews tidbits about the particular music that is being reviewed. For instance, one might say “If you like (certain artist) you will like this”. Or hints about the genre or genres that the reviewed music is like (blues, blues/rock, jazz, rock). R&BM reviews usually do this.
Awesome article! I totally agree! I write music/album/show reviews too and have been asked only once to write a review on someone’s music I truly didn’t like… but I avoided saying that. Tried to keep my opinion out while stating the facts as best I could. Just because I didn’t like it does not mean someone else won’t like it. Who am I to say something negative about any musician? Im a “reviewer” and to me that’s different from being a “critic”.
I completely agree, all art is subjective and can cause various feelings, good bad or indifferent to those who experience it. If I am not moved by something I simply move past it. Great article !!
Great article Martine!
And I agree with your stance.
Just like all the end of the year top lists everyone has a different list and order. Likes and dislikes.
I can see its not good to go out and just slam stuff. I think back in the 60’s and 70’s there was alot more of that.
of that fit in with the journalistic culture. And bands were backed buy big money. Now most artists are making it on their own or with small labels. Just because a reviewer might not like something should not lead to sabotaging an artist that may lose potential fans/ revenue by turning people off.
You make several very valid points. You are in a good situation in that you can pass over an album that doesn’t push the right buttons.
As a reviewer for a printed magazine I’m sometimes sent an album to review that I find below par or simply doesn’t appeal to be personally. In those cases I try to find the best bits to praise and gently suggest the areas an artist or band can move towards, especially if its a young or new act. I also try to appreciate what the bandcare aiming at and write with the listeners who would find that appealing in mind.
I guess the hardest thing is the case of an established artist whose latest release is expected to be reviewed on the site but is in reality disappointing.
I’ve been sent CDs to review that didn’t grab me with the first listen. Instead of reacting with a negative review, I give them a few more careful listens and do more research on the artist. That gives me some insight into the statement and presentation the artist is making. Once I have that understanding I inevitably find something I like and respect about the music. That’s what I write about.
Martine and fellow reviewers on Rock & Blues Muse, I envy your ability to be so enthusiastic about so much product in my favourite music genre. Readers are all looking to be ‘steered’ to their next favourite artist so I can see why some people would baulk when every review seems to be equally glowing. They can’t all be that good, can they? What I would say in your defence is that you are nonetheless my No.1 source in discovering new music, and without you I would perhaps never have discovered some of my most played new acts like Quinn Sullivan, Dirty Honey and Eric Johanson. What about periodically asking your readers to rate or just like/dislike the material reviewed from, say, the previous three months? I know I very much value the audience take on films in Rotten Tomatoes.
Dan,
You aren’t privy to what we do not review. Of course not all music is as good as others. We hand-pick outstanding music. And we have a ton to sift through. Really? Maybe you don’t have access to it like we do. But it’s out there. You can question the sincerity of our enthusiasm all you want. But the answers to your probing question is in the article. It’s very clear.
I’m glad you find our site so valuable. Appreciate your kind words.
Great article! I agree with you about not writing negative reviews. Better to choose to write about those bands that appeal to you. As you wrote in the article music is subjective. There are a lot of bands that I respect but don’t necessarily like to listen to. I think it’s better to ignore those groups that don’t impress and write about those that do appeal to you!
There’s an incredible shortage of venues to get your music reviewed these days…and much of what you do see out there is promo direct from the label, artist or PR firm. Thank you for doing what you do.
I really enjoyed your column. I’ve been listening to music since the mid 60’s as a grade schooler and went on to play drums in the high school band and a local rock band . I still play and I still listen. My oldest sister used to get on my case about liking Grand Funk Railroad. Lord knows the critics hated them. I didn’t care. Mel’s bass always puts a smile on my face. You like what resonates with you. I could never understand my son’s penchant for screamcore, but I didn’t criticize him for it.
Thanks for discovering the gems you expose us to. It makes for great listening !
I’m sitting on the fence on this, specifically regarding reviews of recordings. I agree that writing a negative review should be handled with caution, but doesn’t the reviewer have an obligation to the potential music purchaser? The reviewer needs to keep in mind that it’s important to let the reader know what’s on the disc in comparison to the artists’ earlier recordings, or to compare to similar artists. Are we saying that the reviewer can not say a recording is formulaic or avant-garde compared to an artists previous ouvre?
No, I’m definitely not saying to trash a recording, but I feel it’s important to help the reader make an INFORMED purchase.
I really dislike it when a reviewer who gave a complimentary review to an artists’ record in, say, 2020 now says, “Hey, that one wasn’t very good, but this new one really is.” That’s not reviewing, in my opinion.
Better unsaid the negative waves ….cast light on what seems bright,for the light will only get brighter and everyone knows a wave looks better in the sunlight,for in the darkness we all flounder and look to the depths.
Another super article that just about covers it all.A thoughtful piece.
Totally agree. I have been writing blues music reviews for almost ten years now. If I don’t like a particular album or, more commonly, the style of the blues on the recording, I just don’t write about it. There is enough negativity and downright meanness on the internet as it is. On several occasions, artists have contacted me directly and asked for my thoughts. In that case, I do offer my perspective and critique as part of a private conversation. Keep up the good work! Your website and articles are informative and entertaining.