From magazines to music blogs
By: Jamie Williams, Assistant Diversions Editor
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Diversions
It wasn't until December of 1987, when R.E.M. appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone, that the band truly began its meteoric rise to superstardom.
Twenty years ago, that was the pinnacle, the top of the music world.
But times have changed.
The Internet is the new home of music criticism, providing anyone with an open forum for his or her ideas.
The blogosphere makes music and opinion readily available to interested readers and seekers long before major publications catch up.
And everyone is adjusting - the fans, the writers, even the bands.
R.E.M.'s newest record, Accelerate, which hits shelves Tuesday, began streaming this week on Facebook's iLike application, weeks after songs and a video appeared on various Internet music blogs.
So, in effect, everything one would need to know about the record was available about a month before the official release date and three weeks before any magazines would run a review.
Heather Browne, who operates Fuelfriends.blogspot.com, said that while the world as we have known it is certainly changing, the state of criticism is just fine.
"I think the blogs certainly represent a democratization of the music press, because anyone can start one, and the Internet really gives everyone an equal opportunity for success," Browne said.
It is that reality that represents the current climate of music publication - the rapid rise in popularity and scope of the music blog, paired with the decline in readership and relevance of traditional print magazines.
This already has produced casualties. Magazines Harp and No Depression both folded in the past month.
The (Raleigh) News & Observer music critic David Menconi had a byline in all but one issue of No Depression, starting with a profile of the iconic Raleigh alt-country band Whiskeytown in the first issue.
"I work in one failing industry covering another," Menconi said.
With the Internet providing anyone the opportunity to publish opinions, he said the traditional role of the professional critic is shifting, not disappearing.
Twenty years ago, that was the pinnacle, the top of the music world.
But times have changed.
The Internet is the new home of music criticism, providing anyone with an open forum for his or her ideas.
The blogosphere makes music and opinion readily available to interested readers and seekers long before major publications catch up.
And everyone is adjusting - the fans, the writers, even the bands.
R.E.M.'s newest record, Accelerate, which hits shelves Tuesday, began streaming this week on Facebook's iLike application, weeks after songs and a video appeared on various Internet music blogs.
So, in effect, everything one would need to know about the record was available about a month before the official release date and three weeks before any magazines would run a review.
Heather Browne, who operates Fuelfriends.blogspot.com, said that while the world as we have known it is certainly changing, the state of criticism is just fine.
"I think the blogs certainly represent a democratization of the music press, because anyone can start one, and the Internet really gives everyone an equal opportunity for success," Browne said.
It is that reality that represents the current climate of music publication - the rapid rise in popularity and scope of the music blog, paired with the decline in readership and relevance of traditional print magazines.
This already has produced casualties. Magazines Harp and No Depression both folded in the past month.
The (Raleigh) News & Observer music critic David Menconi had a byline in all but one issue of No Depression, starting with a profile of the iconic Raleigh alt-country band Whiskeytown in the first issue.
"I work in one failing industry covering another," Menconi said.
With the Internet providing anyone the opportunity to publish opinions, he said the traditional role of the professional critic is shifting, not disappearing.
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