Writing CD reviews

Before you get writing, remember to include the following information:

• Band name

• Album title

• Record label

• by YOUR NAME HERE

CD reviews are usually between 250-400 words.

Please return the CD booklet so we can scan an image of it, and the CD unless you have been told you can keep it.

Five rules to writing good CD reviews

1) Only review what you are interested in. No one cares what you think of classical music if this is the first time you are listening to it. Stick to what you know or be prepared to do some research before writing about what you don’t.

2) Snatch the reader in with unique insights and criticism to the piece you are reviewing. Be specific and support your claim. If you say, “This album sucks worse shit than high school acne,” then describe why. Is it generic, boring, or a carbon copy of the band’s last CD?

3) Use an easy writing style. A good form to follow is:

a. Insightful overall opinion of the album.

b. Brief bio and cultural merits of artist

c. Compare and contrast album to past works or other artists of similar style.

d. Specific highlights or downfalls of album. (But avoid track-by-track analysis.)

e. Sum up the bottom-line: a hit or miss?

(Note: you don’t have to follow this model. If the spirit moves you, by all means, get creative.)

4) Steer clear of writing in the first person, unless you have a witty and hilarious personal anecdote which ties you to the album, like: it propelled you to dance naked in your living room; you met the band in ’82 after being thrown from the mosh pit onto the stage; or, they were the first group you ever made out to.

5) Read! Read! Read! Don't even start your review without reading a few other CD reviews. The Martlet has plenty of back issues and Spin, Rolling Stone, A*P and Exclaim! are other great mags for resources.

Content provided by the Martlet Publishing Society, with files from CUP.

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Download latest CUPcast Advanced search We're Hiring! Contact Us Unarchived Issues Advertising Rates Box Locations Statement of Purpose Submission Guidelines Writing/Style Resources		Writing CD reviews Before you get writing, remember to include the following information: • Band name • Album title • Record label • by YOUR NAME HERE CD reviews are usually between 250-400 words. Please return the CD booklet so we can scan an image of it, and the CD unless you have been told you can keep it. Five rules to writing good CD reviews 1) Only review what you are interested in. No one cares what you think of classical music if this is the first time you are listening to it. Stick to what you know or be prepared to do some research before writing about what you don’t. 2) Snatch the reader in with unique insights and criticism to the piece you are reviewing. Be specific and support your claim. If you say, “This album sucks worse shit than high school acne,” then describe why. Is it generic, boring, or a carbon copy of the band’s last CD? 3) Use an easy writing style. A good form to follow is: a. Insightful overall opinion of the album. b. Brief bio and cultural merits of artist c. Compare and contrast album to past works or other artists of similar style. d. Specific highlights or downfalls of album. (But avoid track-by-track analysis.) e. Sum up the bottom-line: a hit or miss? (Note: you don’t have to follow this model. If the spirit moves you, by all means, get creative.) 4) Steer clear of writing in the first person, unless you have a witty and hilarious personal anecdote which ties you to the album, like: it propelled you to dance naked in your living room; you met the band in ’82 after being thrown from the mosh pit onto the stage; or, they were the first group you ever made out to. 5) Read! Read! Read! Don't even start your review without reading a few other CD reviews. The Martlet has plenty of back issues and Spin, Rolling Stone, AP and Exclaim! are other great mags for resources. Content provided by the Martlet Publishing Society, with files from CUP.*