How to Write a Great Album Review

In this article you will learn exactly how to write a great review of a music album. The information comes from my experience as a reviewer for a free online publication in years past.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An album to review - depending on who you are writing the review for, you might pick a classic album or a new album.
• Some paper or your computer and something to write with
• Some time to listen to the album.
• A thesaurus

1. Listen to the album all the way through. This might be tough, especially if you think upon first impression that the album is unbearably awful. Listen anyway. It's very difficult to write a good review of something you have never heard.

2. Jot down your first few thoughts about each song. Which ones catch you? What lyrics grab your attention? Write them down. Lyric samples are very good in reviews.

3. Re-listen to the album a couple of times. Continue to jot down things you notice about the music. How does the album sound as a whole? Is it complete and do all the pieces fit? Is there "filler" material that might have been added just to fill time?

4. Write the first draft of your review. Write from your guy feelings about the music. Use your notes to guide you. It might help to listen to the album again as you write. If you love it, your emotion will come out all the more during the writing process if the music is front and center in your mind.

5. Proof read your review and see if the words you use accurately explain how you feel about the quality of the album. Try not to use words that are over used in describing any particular genre of music and make use of your thesaurus.

6. Spell check your article and deliver it to the intended party.

Tips & Warnings

• Know your target demographic.
• Be creative with language but keep your writing understandable for your target audience.
• If the album is strong, make sure you say so without making it sound as if you're being paid to say it's wonderful. Be real and honest.
• If you hate the album, state why very plainly. Don't take cheap shots at the artist. The music is their creation just as the review is yours.
• Be careful not to come off as a music snob. If you do, you will not build credit with people as someone who identifies with them and their tastes. This would also depend on the audience.

Resources

• One Other Guy's Tips

[lynnsher]

on 10/27/2009 I love the picture you have posted!