Since I posted the link to the Onion’s review of When Everything Breaks Open just a few hours ago, there has been a flurry of online activity in the form of tweets, comments, and even a little bit of mud slinging; well intentioned, perhaps, but dirty, nonetheless. I appreciate the rush to support, but there’s really no need to get angry over this review.
Patrick Kelly, the music reviewer & fellow Denverite, had this to say about his process:
When I write a review I listen to the album in question at least a couple times, making a first pass to collect my general impressions and listening through again as many times as necessary to formulate more specific thoughts on individual songs, etc. So in effect I’ve already given it another listen. It’s entirely possible the album could grow on me after time passes, but since a good portion of this business is timeliness (i.e., getting album reviews up as soon after we get the CD in the office as possible), we’re not afforded the option of spending weeks and weeks with a record before we write about it.
With that said, what I wrote in the review certainly doesn’t fall under the umbrella of “first impressions.” I can almost guarantee you that if I played the record again a year from now, I’d feel the same way. But in the end, this is one person’s opinion about something that’s highly subjective, and that’s true of all music criticism. Just the way the business works.I respect the fact that Patrick gave the album a good listen or two before forming an opinion - even if his opinion runs contrary to yours or mine. As a music journalist, that’s his privilege. An honest opinion is what his readership is looking for, and I count myself among that readership.
So, if you read the review and found yourself bursting at the seams, I urge you to let this roll of your back.
That’s my plan.
Dear Matt Morris -
You stand out to me as a highly respectable individual, which is a rarity in the music industry. Patrick Kelly seems to also have integrity in his process of music writing. This might be one of my first experiences with 2 classy guys demonstrating their classiness in the music industry. I applaud you both.
PS Matt I hope that the industry does not make you into a bitter person down the road…the industry needs role models…
