critical ratings downgrade

See Me, Hear Me, Cut Me, Shear Me

Posted by tonyola

Nov 072011

The recent post about the critical downgrading of concept albums has been an interesting read, hasn’t it? One album that was proposed for a downward revision was The Who‘s Tommy. Now, stalwart RTHer machinery stated that record only has two (2) good cuts. I’m not about to go that far, but there is undeniably some filler. Perhaps it might be possible to cut Tommy down from a double album to a single. I’m personally somewhat skeptical about that since it would probably torpedo the storyline as well as leaving out some good music. However, some of you folks might have ideas on what should be trimmed to make Tommy a really strong single album, running somewhere in the 40- to 45-minute range. So get out your scissors and razor blades and have at it! What would you snip? The full track list follows…after the jump!

Critical Ratings Downgrade: Concept Albums (1966-1972)

Posted by cliff sovinsanity

Nov 062011

The challenge is rather simple. Which critically acclaimed album is overvalued and therefore in need of a rating downgrade? I ask for only 1 album per Townsperson. In this case it will be for late ’60s, early 70s “concept” albums. I use the term “concept” loosely here. A good starting point is somewhere around S.F. Sorrow or Freak Out!, all the way through to Ziggy Stardust give or take a couple years. Perhaps you may want to take on either Arthur, Ogden’s Nut Flake Gone, Forever Changes, or Sgt Pepper . For this exercise you are free to use AllMusic.com, any Rolling Stone Album Guide, or whatever resource material in your library as long as it rates albums.

No easy targets. It would be too simple to pick on some band or artist that you don’t care for personally. The challenge is to pick an artist/band you actually tolerate.

Critical Ratings Downgrade

Posted by cliff sovinsanity

Aug 242011

The concept is rather simple. Which critically acclaimed album is overvalued and therefore in need of a rating downgrade? I ask for only 1 album per Townsperson. In this case it will be for ’70s rock. I plan to roll out other genres and variation in the future, such as ’80s College, Dylan, etc. For this exercise you are free to use AllMusic.com, Rolling Stone Album Guide, Trouser Press Record Guide, or whatever resource material in your library as long as it rates albums up to 5 stars.

No easy targets. It would be too simple to pick on some band or artist that you don’t care for personally. Given the chance I could bore you all with personal dissection of why Steely Dan’s 5-star rating of Countdown to Ecstasy at AllMusic.com is jazz noodling nonsense. Too easy. The challenge is to pick an artist/band you actually tolerate.