go for a system without scores, simply because it might take some of the ridiculous obsession away them that some folk have. Not to mention that they encourage lazy, unfocussed writing. Why write something concise and informative when most people are just going to look at a number?

Websites like Pitchfork giving .1 increments is freakin' grotesque. Cokemachineglow's score-average calculations and charts: unbelievable. Is that .1 really a meaningful indicator of quality, or is it maybejustyouthink something for internet mifflers to quibble over?

They're not even useful for things like end of year lists: they should be the product of discussion, not an excel formula.

We'll never get rid of scores; but man, it'd be nice to see less of them, particularly on/in the sites/mags that brand themselves as top of their field.

I think if so many records get 6-8 out of 10
then mebbe the decimals oughta be looked at
although I do realise that room does have an elephant in it

I know you don't review records on the whole if you think they are awful and undeserving, which is absolutely healthy

(and
review sections that turn out endless bad reviews, I am thinking of Q here and then give amazing reviews to obviously awful records for advertising bungs, are just boring to read, ad pointless)

which explains the lack of < 6/10 reviews, apart from the 4s.

and you need to hold back the 10s and keep them for special, natch

but that means that 6,7, and 8 tend to account for so many of the reviews.

Those digits are overworked, they look tired; 8 needs a holiday, it's looking a bit flaccid. 8 gives you guys a lot, at least you could do something for it in return?
Pack it off to a health farm, toughen it up, it might come back as a 9

9 seems underused so perhaps 9 could be given something to do, at least while 8 is away

thus as a regular reader I must conclude

6 = good band disappointing record

7 = good bits and bad bits

8 = pretty good, you wont't be disappointed, records are expensive, we get that but y'know, get this, if you like that type of thing

9 = typo, you meant 8

10 = really pushing the envelope and succeeding

dis/cuss

much love

tbm

is worthless, end up with too many 3s.

Though I'll agree that stars look nice.

It would probably be a fairer system if they did.

I know plenty of people who would not score stuff I like highly.

But I can draw a distinction between something I personally love and that I would score maybe 8-9/10, and something that should score 8-9/10 if reviewed by somebody who does not love the genre.

I actually think switches albums is pretty good, I'd score it highly 8/10 maybe, but I can see how it is not everybodies cup of tea, so if i was reviewing it "preofessionally", I'd score it lower.
Where as, I would challenge anybody not to rate funeral highly.