News of the interesting type

So magazines do album reviews. Most notably Rolling Stone focuses all on music and does reviews as well. But have you ever wondered how they review an album before it comes out to everyone else. I know I always have.

Here is usually how it works. Typically record companies send out demo records for reviewers before the album is released so the band and album can get press coverage. They do this in the hope that the record will sell more records.

Well, this process is now on display. Mainly because Maxim magazine recently used questionable methods in reviewing the upcoming Black Crowes album.

(Yes the Black Crowes that are mainly famous because their front man was previously married to this lovely lady)

Apparently Maxim reviewed the entire yet to be released album (giving it a disappointing two and a half circles) by only listening to the one song posted on the band’s website. The Black Crowes had not released a demo album for reviewers to hear and were obviously not happy with the magazine’s imagination of what their album will be like.

The apology by Maxim via cnn. The subsequent rejection of the apology via Stereogum.

Later this week: spotlight on the Recording Industry Association of America.

Should be fun.