There is no more intelligent blog in history than the music blog. Think about that: more convoluted and mystical language comes from the music fan than any other source. I’d even include literary criticism in this hypothesis. The struggle for new language and new descriptions is a battle forged from the rock-heavy days of the 50s-70s and the new life that hip-hop breathed in the 80s and 90s. Where the wise were once the holy, now everyone has an opinion. And in the din and rush of musictocracy (I promise, you will never hear that word again on this site), the music is becoming less important.
In the grand scheme of things, the “next big thing” was always a misnomer. The listeners across the world have been privy to the rapid rise and fall of bands too many times to trust the music critic any longer. The idea of a good album has gotten so farcical that “on repeat” is the highest compliment a new record can garner. “Wow, the person listened more than once? It must be good.” The bustling marketplace of music has arrived at a point that no longer sharpens the ear, but deadens sound. One listen is often enough to form the opinion of a critic and from there, the opinion of the masses is formed.
This is not to say that music is not partially to blame. Music journalism’s decline has as much to do with the increase in “important bands” than it does with lazy opinions. That laziness, however, has to be given an alternative. Maybe not the perfect solution, but at least a solution at all. Thus, 10 Listens. The intelligence of the normal music critic combined with a concentration in how music forms opinions and fits into society should form a review that is opinion-based rather than opinionated; formed rather than forming.
This hypothesis is going to be put to work in several formats over a period of weeks at a time: when our reviewers receive a record, they will be listening to it while traveling to work or on road trips, in crowds, alone, drunk, sober– they are required to give the album its full-bodied ideal without relying on the snap judgments that plague the normal review process. 10 listens, maybe more, before judgment’s ugly head rears forth. The results should be fascinating.
With that, then, I leave it to the reviewers. The dialogue is open. I hope it improves.
Wanna submit an album or give some feedback? Feel free: repetitionisfailure@gmail.com or to send an album to us: 10 Listens c/o Forsaken House 2350 31st Ave Astoria NY 11106. We will take an electronic download of your submission. Just email us the link. Otherwise comments and enjoyment are accepted in scores.