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I wish more record reviews talked about the sound of records. The mixing, the mastering, the breath of a singer (or lack thereof). The way a quiet keyboard line adds a mournful undercurrent, surfacing to greater audibility to support a vocal line that breaks the melody.
I wish more writers wrote about what they heard through close listening. You don’t need theory or training to highlight moments and choices. You need attention and care.
In an era of easy access, I’d love more guided tours. Point out the things I should listen for when I click that easy link. Write so that I’m jealous of your ears, of what you hear and how you can convey it.
The best compliment I ever received for my writing was “your review helped me hear it through your ears.”
I love music writing that focus on the cultural context. It’s important to know where things stand and how they got there. But for reviews I want to know what the reviewer heard in the work.
