If you ever spend any time flicking through forums and other discussion sites, you may have noticed that reviewers get a hard time. You might even give us a hard time. The accusations of reviewers and journalists being 'lazy' are easy to make, and I have to concede there are a lot of bad and lazy writers out there. But then, it's not an easy job. With the best will in the world, any given language contains only a finite range of words, and however broad one's vocabulary, it's impossible to imagine that the scope for describing music is limitless. And does anyone really want a Morley-esque pseudo-intellectual tract by way of a review for every album, or do they simply want to know what it sounds like and if it's any good?
I thought as much. Moreover, while it's easy to criticise the journalists who criticise the bands, have some sympathy for us having to endure endless hours sifting through crap, dull albums so listeners don't have to. yes, it's all part of the servicve.
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So while 'Sellout' is lifted by a dash of brass and 'Knock on Wood' takes its lead from Bruce Springsteen (and every MOR AOR rocker who's tried to emulate him), the majority of 'Life Underwater' is bland beyond belief. It's painfully insipid and uninspired. In short 'Life Underwater' is every bit as wet as the title suggests.
Halsted on MySpace
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