SomeMusic is More Accurate
A 'Black Mirror' scenario turned reality. Their reviews are painful to read. Whether they be positive or negative, they are unbelievably self-important, smug and nonchalant all at once. Even the chief editor, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, writes reviews this way.
Albums that don't fit the expectations of critics, like 'Huang Chung' by Wang Chung, are torn to shreds because of flaws smaller than a blood cell. Sure, the US supports free speech, but these journalists use it to gain an advantage over musicians, by taking authority over their own life stories. If you're Mount Eerie who lost his wife (no disrespect, of course), they will give a perfect score. If you're suffering any other way, they can rate whatever they want. Music is subjective, but the critics treat their reviews like the best thing since sliced bread.
Negative reviews are never helpful, only shooing away potential listeners and encouraging hard-working musicians to quit. The Angry Video Game Nerd is known for being aggressive too, but he's actually entertaining and informative while doing so. AllMusic writers are like 'Squid Game' guards, punishing those who struggle and carrying on like nothing happened. They even talk about their guidelines in a similar way, saying something like, "We rate our albums based on what the musical act has put out."
Not to mention, the site's ads are potentially dangerous, with one user I've read about getting a virus from just clicking on one. AllMusic is a corrupted mess in a world of independent minds.
6 July 2024
Unprompted review