We live in a world where seemingly everything is at our fingertips. Music lovers have access to pretty much any song that has ever been recorded, and any artist is able to record some tracks, put them online and hope to make it big. As great as this sounds, there are numerous issues. The music industry is at risk, and reviewers may well be the unlikely saviours.
If we go back in time, let’s say 40 years, music, particularly metal, was entering a golden age. Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast was released and metalheads around the world had been deafened by the Ace of Spades. Without the internet, the only way these bands gained exposure was through relentless touring, positive reviews and hoping for some rare airtime on the radio or an even rarer appearance on television.
The point is, these bands rose to fame because they were the best. These days, the music industry is saturated with releases from a seemingly endless production line. Some people may say that the more music there is the better, but in reality, all it means is that you’re going to have to put up with a lot of subpar music forcing its way into your Spotify playlist.
Reviewers benefit both the artist and listener
Reviewers are now the gatekeepers. Sure, we can’t stop music from being released, but we can sift through the vast quantities of releases and tell you if it’s worth your while, as we’ve been doing for years here at moshville.co.uk.
It’s not just in the music industry we see the value of review sites. How many times have you looked up some reviews on IMDB to work out if a film is worth watching? Exactly. Another, less obvious area where review sites are cropping up is in the online casino industry. This is now such a saturated market that sites like casinos.co.za provides the service of combing through the plethora of online casinos across different regions and specific countries and reviewing them for their promotions, customer service, security, and even how long it takes them to payout. Review sites help you find the right fit for you, in any industry.
Most people will agree that it’s harder than ever to forge a successful career in music, and many incredibly talented artists can miss out on their big break through sheer bad luck. Music reviewers make an impact by attending concerts and publishing an article that could be the catalyst for that particular band. As we handpick the best artists for you to sample, we are also providing exposure to bands that they may not otherwise get and we’re ensuring they get the credit they deserve.
Artists can improve by paying attention to reviews
Believe it or not, review sites don’t just aid the consumer. They help an artist become more self-aware. Musicians often take notice of reviews because they can help them improve the quality of the work they release. Reviewers act as a voice for the masses and hold artists to . Reviews can be seen as a letter to the artist, on behalf of fans, suggesting how they can better their product. Of course, reviews are opinions at the end of the day, but taking notice of negative ones and being able to use that to improve as a musician really separates the wheat from the chaff.
One person who certainly doesn’t take kindly to criticism, as per theguardian.com is American singer, Lizzo. After the release of her third album ‘Cuz I love you’, she tweeted “People who review albums and don’t make music themselves should be unemployed”. This is a perfect example of someone who isn’t receptive to . She’s right in the sense that not all reviewers make music, but the majority of people who consume music don’t either. If someone doesn’t understand musical theory, for example, does this mean they don’t have the right to form an opinion?
That being said, there are certain reviewers who tear down an artist’s work for the sake of it and claim it’s bad, without ing their case. Any reviewer worth their salt won’t point out negatives without saying why. Of course, it’s important to be honest and express an opinion, but how is a reader supposed to accept a review as authoritative or an artist interpret it as without any reason.
Professional critics are just as important to the industry as the artists themselves, offering a fresh perspective for artists and listeners. After all, we share the same goal of wanting to hear and experience the best music.
Images sources from Pexels
