Proof Of Concept: Record Reviews With More Than Just Words

So, this may be a stupid idea – and I’m really happy to be told that it is – but I’ve been bored stupid by record reviews for the last few years now. The debate isn’t new, but the fact that the largest source of record reviews available is via web-based blogs that at best contain words and a link to a usually-PR-supplied mp3, is – given the age we live in – pretty spectacular in its dullness.

So, since everyone can get everything from anywhere now, why not make reviews a bit more interesting to look at? Why not build in more data interesting stuff about those records? Why not – essentially – make them better?

Inspired by a (probably unintentional) bit of encouragement from someone clearly talented who I’ve never actually met on Twitter, I lashed up a review of a record (in this case Frightened Rabbit’s glorious Midnight Organ Fight) to illustrate what I’d like to see / what I’d like to do with record reviews. I’ve not included a whole bunch of stuff that I think I’d also like to see – links to videos, more on the band etc – but it should illustrate the point.

This sort of thing is a chunk more work than just bashing out a few hundred words, but isn’t beyond most people from a technology perspective – hell, if I can do it, anyone else can. I think though, as a reader, I’d really appreciate the extra effort, especially from bloggers just doing it for the love of it.So many people are quite obviously into the music blogging caper for the benefit of their own egos – or for the free stuff – that I think putting some extra effort into the presentation would be an easy win to show authority and enthusiasm, a little sparkle in an otherwise grey and pretty much cookie-cutter world of reviews.

So, the big version of the review-o-graphic, the LP-a-gram, whatever, is here – have a look and then abuse me on twitter, telling me I’m an arrogant twat with no design skills and should stay in my box rather than telling all the talented bloggers out there how they should take care of their business.