Poor Album Review in Uncut Music Magazine

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Uncut have given TWGMTR 5 out of 10. I wont quote the entire review, but 'schmaltz' and 'auto-tune' are mentioned, and a lyric mentioning 'good vibrations' is described as 'cringe-inducing'. They say that 'even Brian's melancholy appears manufactured'. They also say that the title track is the best song on the album, which doesnt bode well for those of us who think it's not very good...

(Before anyone comments, yes I realise reviews are subjective, and I'm waiting to hear the album myself before passing judgement).

[Lowbacca]

Tons of Beach Boys studio LPs received bad or mediocre reviews upon release. It's part of the "game".  

Apart from that I'd be astonished to read exclusively good reviews about the new LP. It's a reunion album by an aging (/aged) rock group, there's bound to be some "meh.."-reviews.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Tons of Beach Boys studio LPs received bad or mediocre reviews upon release. It's part of the "game". 

Apart from that I'd be astonished to read exclusively good reviews about the new LP. It's a rreunion album by a aging (/aged) rock group, there's bound to be some "meh.."-reviews.

Exactly. As i said, i'm not passing judgement, merely quoting the review as i quoted the (very good) single review in NME.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Meh, so what? I've already said that this album is not for reviewers, anyone who could enjoy it for what it is shouldn't care what a stupid magazine says

[buddhahat]

'auto-tune' are mentioned,

Hate to say I told you so, Wirestone!
 

[Shady]

Good, it's a magazine nobody cares about

[Disney Boy (1985)]

It is prefable for the new album to recieve good reviews rather than bad, and i don't believe we all wouldn't like to see that. The concerts have been getting great notices, it'd be very nice if the album did likewise. Yeah i love the Beach Boys no matter what anyone else thinks of 'em - but that doesn't mean that i just don't care whether their new album gets a good reception or not.

[guitarfool2002]

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture."   - Martin Mull

"Listen, writing about music is like talking about fucking. Who wants to talk about it? But you know, maybe some people do want to talk about it."   - John Lennon

"Rock critics like Elvis Costello because rock critics look like Elvis Costello"  - David Lee Roth

"Rock critics love Van Halen and hate me because rock critics look like me but want to party with David Lee Roth."  - Elvis Costello


So this chap doesn't like the album, who cares?

[monicker]

So, who was it that said they'd be surprised if even one reviewer brought up Autotune in their review?

Also,
magazine that gives favorable review to product you like = good magazine, me like, they cool, they is valid, important, yay
magazine that gives unfavorable review to product you like = bad magazine, me hate, they stoopid, meaningless, boo

[Runaways]

So, who was it that said they'd be surprised if even one reviewer brought up Autotune in their review?

Also,
magazine that gives favorable review to product you like = good magazine, me like, they cool, they is valid, important, yay
magazine that gives unfavorable review to product you like = bad magazine, me hate, they stoopid, meaningless, boo

pretty much.  One of the early tweets about the album came from an uncut writer who was unfavorable in his tweet.  so this isn't surprising

[buddhahat]

Good, it's a magazine nobody cares about

well we didn't feel that way when they gave The Smile Sessions a glowing review.

C'mon, can't we just accept that maybe this isn't Pet Sounds mk 2 but something more along the lines of MIU or KTSA i.e. critically going to take a hammering but with a lot to love for the die hards?

[Landlocked]

Good, it's a magazine nobody cares about

well we didn't feel that way when they gave The Smile Sessions a glowing review.

C'mon, can't we just accept that maybe this isn't Pet Sounds mk 2 but something more along the lines of MIU or KTSA i.e. critically going to take a hammering but with a lot to love for the die hards?

I can totally accept that! I mean, if they lambasted the use of pitch correction and cringed at the cheesy planting of previous song titles into lyrics, like "good vibrations," I can't say I disagree with them. But I'll still buy the album, and hopefully, love it anyway.

[Runaways]

i wonder if they listened to FTTBA and thought it was autotune

[guitarfool2002]

If you like it, that's all that matters. Right?

These reviewers who get an advance copy...some of them have an ego-complex thing happening where they want their word to be taken as the standing opinion on the album, and they feel that way most likely because no one who is a regular fan owns the album at this point and no one can challenge that reviewer's opinion using the actual songs as the deciding factor. The reviewer holds all the cards, what they say is what you can think because you don't have it in your hands to judge otherwise until it is released.

I said all this in the other thread, I have yet to see the worth or the value of advance reviews in too many cases. I hope opinions are not shaped or swayed either way by them, because it's just too much faith to be placed in one writer's opinion without actually being able to hear it for ourselves.

I'm not saying this guy or any of the writers lavishly praising the upcoming BB's album are right or wrong, but it's not a level playing field until we can hear the album, and until then it's tough to take any of their opinions seriously. When the album is out and I have it, I can go back and read the reviews. Until then, I read them but they are ultimately disposable.

[Doo Dah]

Gotta hear the dang thing before I'm ready to throw Uncut under the bus.

I'll say this; from what we've already heard via clips, it's obviously a delicate balancing act between the sun/fun cliche stuff and the melancholy introspective stuff. True fans that have been along for the whole ride will likely take this into consideration and judge the album charitably, whereas outta the loop journos will likely pounce on the obvious and carve away.

If I were to guess, I'd say that RS will be somewhat positive, Mojo will be quite positive, and your other hipster journals will no doubt go in guns blazin'. Just a guess.

[buddhahat]

Gotta hear the dang thing before I'm ready to throw Uncut under the bus.

I'll say this; from what we've already heard via clips, it's obviously a delicate balancing act between the sun/fun cliche stuff and the melancholy introspective stuff. True fans that have been along for the whole ride will likely take this into consideration and judge the album charitably, whereas outta the loop journos will likely pounce on the obvious and carve away.

If I were to guess, I'd say that RS will be somewhat positive, Mojo will be quite positive, and your other hipster journals will no doubt go in guns blazin'. Just a guess.

It's difficult to say with Mojo. Generally they're pretty favourable towards BW's solo output, but they gave the Gershwin album a pretty harsh review, so don't hold your breath.

Anyone expecting a 90+ from Pitchfork is in for a shock though, I'll agree with you there!

[pixletwin]

I like Uncut. So the reviewer has an opinion. Who cares?

[Runaways]

Gotta hear the dang thing before I'm ready to throw Uncut under the bus.

I'll say this; from what we've already heard via clips, it's obviously a delicate balancing act between the sun/fun cliche stuff and the melancholy introspective stuff. True fans that have been along for the whole ride will likely take this into consideration and judge the album charitably, whereas outta the loop journos will likely pounce on the obvious and carve away.

If I were to guess, I'd say that RS will be somewhat positive, Mojo will be quite positive, and your other hipster journals will no doubt go in guns blazin'. Just a guess.

It's difficult to say with Mojo. Generally they're pretty favourable towards BW's solo output, but they gave the Gershwin album a pretty harsh review, so don't hold your breath.

Anyone expecting a 90+ from Pitchfork is in for a shock though, I'll agree with you there!

we should have a prediction for pitchfork.  4.8-5.4?

[bcdam]

Is there a link to said review, or is it in print?

[Wirestone]

'auto-tune' are mentioned,

Hate to say I told you so, Wirestone!
 

Indeed. So you did.

I'd be interested in seeing the wording, though. There is a difference between an offhand mention, in the context of an overall slick production, and the kind of lengthy condemnations that appear here. Overall, I've just never seen rock critics talk much about pitch correction -- for good or ill.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Honestly, who cares, not everyone has to love it hahaha

[buddhahat]

'auto-tune' are mentioned,

Hate to say I told you so, Wirestone!
 

Indeed. So you did.

I'd be interested in seeing the wording, though. There is a difference between an offhand mention, in the context of an overall slick production, and the kind of lengthy condemnations that appear here. Overall, I've just never seen rock critics talk much about pitch correction -- for good or ill.

I think the use of autotune on a BB record is significant though. What a rare opportunity to get five of the original voices together and see what time has done to that blend! On songs about the aging process too - surely that requires a bit of authenticity and honesty? Not the audio equivalent of botox injections.

Perhaps the voices sound a bit shakey here and there? Then use a bit of subtle pitch correction to tighten everything up a little. But with this excessive treatment they have sucked the soul and the identity out of the harmonies. I don't often get worked up about production issues on these albums (who cares if a synth replaces a tack piano?!) but this vocal processing is something else. This is why I'm sure more reviewers will zero in on it, which is a shame because there are some great songs here, that could have really flowered given a more natural sound a la TLOS and BWRG. The problem is .... They f*cked with the formula!

[Zach95]

Pitchfork gave TLOS a 7.8. I'm guessing this will get somewhere around there, plus or minus a few tenths.

[buddhahat]

Pitchfork gave TLOS a 7.8. I'm guessing this will get somewhere around there, plus or minus a few tenths.

I think as an artistic statement, TLOS is a much stronger album, so I really doubt Pitchfork will give this such a high score.

[The Shift]

So, who was it that said they'd be surprised if even one reviewer brought up Autotune in their review?

Also,
magazine that gives favorable review to product you like = good magazine, me like, they cool, they is valid, important, yay
magazine that gives unfavorable review to product you like = bad magazine, me hate, they stoopid, meaningless, boo

pretty much.  One of the early tweets about the album came from an uncut writer who was unfavorable in his tweet.  so this isn't surprising

Uncut's a fine mag, much prefer it to Mojo these days as the latter has gone all contemporary and covers a lot more late '70s/'80s-onward stuff, like what kids like. They've not been big on the BBs for a long while; editor Allan Jones is however a big Neil Young fan, probably why Americana is the album of the month in the same issue.

Incidentally there's also a live review of one of the 50th anniversary shows in the same issue.  So while the reviews might not be the most favourable, it' a BB's heavy issue.