Is SPIN really circling the drain?

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The magazine has been especially bad in the past two years; is this finally it? (and yeah, the pun is intended for that starf*cking rag)

Spin Scratched ... The Finer Things in Life ...

SCRATCHED: Is this Spin’s last stand? The music magazine’s transformation into the fanzine of the Seventies rock-redux movement has done nothing to slow its three-year slide in ad pages, and chairman Robert Miller has apparently had enough. Vibe/Spin Ventures chief executive officer Alex Mironovich, who had been acting publisher, and Spin associate publisher Michael Zivyak both resigned under pressure Monday and Miller, who is based in Los Angeles, appears ready to get his hands dirty selling ads himself.

Miller, a former Time Inc. executive, will be joined by former Budget Travel publisher Jacob Hill, who certainly has experience doing more with less.

“This could just be a last ditch effort by management,” said a source close to the magazine. “The thinking is: ‘Let’s give them a respectable ad sales team and try to turn things around a little bit.’”

But then what? Miller is under intense pressure himself from his backers at the venture capital firm Freeman Spogli to show some sort of return on the $100 million it gave him in the mid-Nineties to build what is now Miller Publishing. He bought the company’s crown jewel, Vibe, from Time Inc. in 1996 for just $20 million, but forked over $42.5 million for Bob Guccione Jr.’s Spin a year later. He nearly had to give them up just two years after that, when Freeman Spogli forced him to put the pair on the block for around $200 million. There were no takers then, but Miller flirted with selling again in late 2000, when the future dot.com flameout Urban Box Office came calling. The potential price tag then was said to be just over $100 million. what would the pair be worth now?

While Vibe has held steady since then on the advertising front, resisting up-and-comers like The Source and XXL, Spin has slowly been crushed by the twin pincers of Rolling Stone and Dennis Publishing’s upstart Blender, which actually finished 2003 with more pages (673) than Spin (661). Keep in mind the latter finished 2000 with 1,211 pages, when editor Alan Light and publisher John Rollins were still at the helm. Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall for the sector, they left together in early 2002 to start the older listener-skewing music magazine Tracks, which launched last fall. — Greg Lindsay

source:
http://www.wwd.com/content/article.cfm?ID=%25%22%2DD%22RE%20%20%0A&xart=1&CFID=28460&CFTOKEN=88223667

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 02:34 (9 years ago) Permalink

as a charter subscriber, I'd hate to see it go.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 02:34 (9 years ago) Permalink

spin's been a very mixed bag lately, but they do have some things I like....like where an artist picks their most influential CDs....occaissionaly there is still an article I'm really glad I read...like the one of Morrissey's latino fans or the roadie one the the last issue...I hope it stays in business....

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 26 February 2004 02:47 (9 years ago) Permalink

I can't remember the last time I bought an issue of SPIN.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Thursday, 26 February 2004 02:50 (9 years ago) Permalink

Their reviews section is horrible. They used to be more harsh towards certain things. Like Matt said, there's a few things it has going for it, but it's worse than it's ever been.

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:09 (9 years ago) Permalink

I think it's time they let me take it over. I've got a great idea for a T.A.T.U. cover.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:17 (9 years ago) Permalink

I could make that magazine cool and hip with my hands tied behind my back! Shit, now I've given away my T.A.T.U. cover idea.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:22 (9 years ago) Permalink

They should make an all-T.A.T.U. special issue with Hit Parader-style posters included.

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:22 (9 years ago) Permalink

Getting paid to write = not being able to write.

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:23 (9 years ago) Permalink

hey Chris last time you and I went about, you were telling me how P*tchfork was getting ready to pimp themselves with some massive web presence. What's up with that?

SPIN's pimping of the Strokes has been totally embarrassing. I mean, does anyone at that place actually believe, as a sub-head read, that "Room On Fire" was "stunning"?

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:41 (9 years ago) Permalink

Yep, Chris. You're right. That's exactly what that means. Perhaps there should be zero standards in journalism, and those standards should be reduced even further by allowing anyone with a computer to destroy the English language in print. While we're at it, let's never pay an artist for their work since, by making a simple leap like yours, they must not be talented if they're getting paid for it. I know David Blaine is a publicity whore, so maybe we can get him to shit in a bucket for free and call it art. Since it's free and all.

― another scott, Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:46 (9 years ago) Permalink

I'd actually say the writing in SPIN is very good. It's just that the editorial direction has been abysmal--driven by the bean counters or what, I dunno, but it's been adrift for awhile.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:50 (9 years ago) Permalink

Spin has become so insular in the last two years. I think it lost itself up the ass of NYC and the White Stripes. It's more about the editors stroking their ego and pimping their presence in NYC than trying to reach an audience. The design has become restrictive and overbearing, it almost overshadows the stories. The magazine has alienated its audience. No wonder it's not doing well.

― Helen, Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:51 (9 years ago) Permalink

I actually like Chuck Klosterman, he's really the only writer in Spin who has anything remotely interesting to say (even though he's often full of shit).

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

I would give him his own sports column if I were in charge. Only minor league hockey and baseball though. And indoor soccer. And lacrosse.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:57 (9 years ago) Permalink

I think he's a good writer, too, though I agree he's full of shit sometimes. But how can you not be when writing for Spin? It just happens. It would happen at Rolling Stone, Blender, whatever. Part of the job. I just think that he suffers the same dreaded image disease they all get when thrust into the NY scene, which I think is unfortunate about so many magazines these days.

― Helen, Thursday, 26 February 2004 04:59 (9 years ago) Permalink

It is sad. They are all scared of their own shadows.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:01 (9 years ago) Permalink

I mean if you are gonna lose money anyway, why not make your magazine really good?

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:02 (9 years ago) Permalink

Does anyone have George Soro's phone number? I've got a proposition for him.(he likes russian teenagers, right?)

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:04 (9 years ago) Permalink

But what would make it good? Good in terms of reaching an audience while simultaneously pushing the boudaries created by current glossies? Or good meaning finding a niche and a genuinely passionate voice, even if it means obeying certain publishing conventions?

― Helen, Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:06 (9 years ago) Permalink

Chuckie has a page in Esquire now, where he can write about whatever he wants. He's written about basketball there (or maybe it was GQ.)

The only reason I hang onto my subscription is because I keep hoping it will get better. But it's just not.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if a non-fashion magazine has a fashion spread multiple times a year, the moral compass is long gone.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:06 (9 years ago) Permalink

Wait a sec...I know these are people who could lose their jobs, so I don't mean to sound callous. No one wants anyone to lose their jobs or livelihood.

― Helen, Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:08 (9 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, but you almost HAVE to have a fashion spread. No clothing companies will look at you for ad space until you do. It's the way of the game. Lame? Yes. Part of publishing? Unfortunatley.

― Helen, Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:09 (9 years ago) Permalink

My comment was more about Scott's "they are all scared of their own shadows" watering-down, not a grammatical or stylistic complaint.

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:22 (9 years ago) Permalink

What music magazines are good these days? I have no idea.

― Debito (Debito), Thursday, 26 February 2004 05:42 (9 years ago) Permalink

I find the idea that it's "gotten" insular in the last two years sort of mystifying, if only because the typical non-music-geek complaing about Spin is that it's ALWAYS been insular. I mean, five years ago they were writing about turntablism and sound-boys, stuff that, for better or worse, is WAY more insular than rock bands with hooks and attractive frontpeople.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Thursday, 26 February 2004 07:00 (9 years ago) Permalink

I'm not arguing insularity Andy, they're ambulance-chasing. And driving on the left.

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Thursday, 26 February 2004 07:29 (9 years ago) Permalink

What's wrong with driving on the left? And I have to say I have no problem with music magazines subsidising their music section with fashion spreads (and the resulting ads), as long as the music section is unaffected. Better that than downgrading your music section by talking about inconsequential musicians in a trite way to bring in a broader audience.

― Jedmond (Jedmond), Thursday, 26 February 2004 07:44 (9 years ago) Permalink

I can't understand Chris Ott's posts on this thread at all.

Except he doesn't like brits?

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Thursday, 26 February 2004 10:11 (9 years ago) Permalink

SPIN used to be way more New York-ish, with more of a snobby attitude, sort of this subversive nature and snarky editorial that was more SPY than Rolling Stone. I miss that aspect; as SPIN has drifted more and more towards the mainstream, it has lost its sense of identity and verve. Without cheerleading the Strokes and the White Stripes on every issue, they'd barely be hip at all. And that feature where the artist names their influencial albums was a concept blatantly lifted from Blender. The elephant in the room here is that Blender is eating SPIN alive.

I fully understand that embracing "lifestyle" brings in the big advertising dollars (fashion), but in this case it has made the magazine much less enjoyable.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 13:22 (9 years ago) Permalink

Not-as-good-as-it-used-to-be it may be, but give me Spin over Rolling Stone ANY DAY of the week. You?

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Thursday, 26 February 2004 13:34 (9 years ago) Permalink

OTM

― Baaderist (Fabfunk), Thursday, 26 February 2004 13:40 (9 years ago) Permalink

True, but you can say that about any magazine, give me O over Rolling Stone any day of the week.

― Jedmond (Jedmond), Thursday, 26 February 2004 14:02 (9 years ago) Permalink

I prefer Rolling Stone. Music coverage is equally bad in both, but Rolling Stone occasionally has interesting political features.

― Mark (MarkR), Thursday, 26 February 2004 14:39 (9 years ago) Permalink

Magazines suck.

― Jasper Patches (Dating Ikea), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:01 (9 years ago) Permalink

yeah, i agree about R.S. Rollong Stone's non-music reporting/coverage has always been its strong suit.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:02 (9 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, but seeing features on Toby Keith and DMB is just too depressing..

― Baaderist (Fabfunk), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:05 (9 years ago) Permalink

SPIN used to have some really great pieces in the back of the magazine about non-music stuff that were real eye-openers. I haven't seen any good ones lately. What irks me is how the staff has turned itself into celebrity figurines. I read the magazine thinking, "I feel too uncool to be reading this shit." And I'm a frickin writer. I imagine it's incredibly off-putting for some kid in her bedroom.

― Jeanne Fury (Jeanne Fury), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:14 (9 years ago) Permalink

Remember when Spin had like 10 features about how HIV and AIDS were not causally related? This was late 80s.

― Mark (MarkR), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:27 (9 years ago) Permalink

Last time I read Spin, Guccione Jr was still at the helm, pimping John Mellencamp. So I guess Hank Rollins and Legs McNeil don't write for 'em anymore either?

I feel old.

― doug watson (solid air), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:32 (9 years ago) Permalink

Well, they still have non-music features, like... "Friendster more addictive than crack!!!"

― Baaderist (Fabfunk), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:35 (9 years ago) Permalink

Celia Farber's AIDS coverage was overall pretty impressive, especially considering the venue.

I agree with you Jeanne that the staff thing is getting annoying; Sia Michel's Letter From the Editor has been completely cloying from minute one (complete with all the "Look at me, I'm at the cool places with the cool people pictures") and the endless pimping of staff tomes is a chore. Spitz' gossip column is unbearable. But I still like the reviews quite a bit.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:35 (9 years ago) Permalink

SPIN needs to be put out of its misery. It hasn't mattered since about 1988.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:38 (9 years ago) Permalink

I think it's been even longer than that...

― Jasper Patches (Dating Ikea), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:41 (9 years ago) Permalink

what did Sia Michel do before Spin? I had never heard of her until i saw her picture in Spin.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

She was a receptionist somewhere.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:56 (9 years ago) Permalink

Once SPIN lost Legs McNeil and John Leland it was all over (though I still like Klosterman).

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:57 (9 years ago) Permalink

man, Spin hasn't mattered since 1972 when I was reading it

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

Don, all "letter from the editor" pieces in any given magazine are like that. It's sort of the purpose. But I know what you mean. The mag feels like a big Friendster publication or something.

― Jeanne Fury (Jeanne Fury), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

really? and then she became the editor in chief of Spin? cool.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

Jeanne otm there. "Letter from the Editor" pages are almost universally cringe-worthy (really wanna vomit? Read Alan Light's one from the debut issue of TRACKS).

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 15:59 (9 years ago) Permalink

i still miss the old details. when it was just pictures of stephen saban on a couch with diane brill.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:00 (9 years ago) Permalink

and i still miss rock scene when it was just pictures of lisa robinson on the couch with joey ramone.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:01 (9 years ago) Permalink

How great would it be if Letter from the Editor *actually* portrayed what went on: "Motherfuckers in the mail room misplaced the press kit for the new Dinkie Bubble album so that fucked shit up royally. And don't get me started on motherfuckin' Hack McInkspot handing his review A WEEK LATE. Thanks, assmonger, it's not like we're on DEADLINE or anything..."

That would rule.

― Jeanne Fury (Jeanne Fury), Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:03 (9 years ago) Permalink

the offensiveness of "Letter to the Editor" is nothing compared to the "Making Out with UltraGrrl". i just want to rip that page out every month and forcibly shove it down the throat ofd the next pseudo-hipster i see.

SPIN was a godsend for me in high school (1990-1994), living out on a farm in the middle of central Illinois. sure it wasn't all that subversive or underground, but to someone raised on country and Top 40 it was a whole new world. i still pick up an issue from time to time, mostly because it's more affordable than the import prices on the decent British mags. but i'm always wondering why.

― jonviachicago, Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:05 (9 years ago) Permalink

Hack McInkspot!! Ha Ha, i've got a new nom de plume. thanks, Jeanne!

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:05 (9 years ago) Permalink

It's true that most Letters From the Editor are unbearable, but I don't remember as many celebs-with-editor pictures as the Michel years have produced...maybe the Bobby Jr. years had the same thing but I can't remember anymore.

While we're on the subject of Tracks, I can't believe how lifeless and personality-free it is.

The UltraGrrl thing is awful. I'd forgotten about that.

Gawker calls Details "The gay magazine for straight men" or something like that. Classic.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:24 (9 years ago) Permalink

Sia does seem especially intent on telegraphing her celeb-compatibility. Still, Guccionne Jr. wasn't that different.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:26 (9 years ago) Permalink

Did Tracks just steal their whole idea for a magazine from Harp?

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:52 (9 years ago) Permalink

i agree about R.S. Rollong Stone's non-music reporting/coverage has always been its strong suit.

What? You mean the non-music journalism about the NYC guy with the biggest penis in the world or people who make living room speed and eat it until their teeth fall out?

I'd call it the white-trash beat for voyeurs but not hard-hitting or strong.

― George Smith, Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:53 (9 years ago) Permalink

Remember when Spin had like 10 features about how HIV and AIDS were not causally related?

Yes, SPIN, supporter of whackos and rubbish science.

― George Smith, Thursday, 26 February 2004 16:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

Killer email ady...CompuServe is still going?

― Mark (MarkR), Thursday, 26 February 2004 17:10 (9 years ago) Permalink

>>> Remember when Spin had like 10 features about how HIV and AIDS were not causally related?

Remember when Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl were pushing this agenda, playing benefit shows for that wacko group "Alive and Well." That was insane... I wonder if they still support that cause.

That said, I think Spin is perfect. I expect nothing more. Each issue lasts me exactly one lunch break, once a month, where I look at the pretty pictures as I eat some soup.

― Ben Boyer (Ben Boyer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 17:40 (9 years ago) Permalink

it really ws better two or three years ago but its still ok

― $$, Thursday, 26 February 2004 17:42 (9 years ago) Permalink

is anything in your world as good as it was in 1988, alex? anything? if you love 1988 so much why don't you go live there

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Thursday, 26 February 2004 17:54 (9 years ago) Permalink

What's up your ass?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:32 (9 years ago) Permalink

George, they've had better stuff than the dude with the big penis in Rolling Stone! Now, come on. I mean all those killer white trash kids! Don't forget about them. They were great. when i was 16 i had a picture of ricky kasso on my bedroom wall right next to a huge piece of paper with the chemical formula for LSD on it.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:45 (9 years ago) Permalink

that sounded harsher than i meant it to, alex, but seriously you go on about how everything's gone downhill since 1988 so often!

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:48 (9 years ago) Permalink

I was speaking strictly in terms of SPIN magazine, Fritz, and it wasn't one of my usual tirades about how stuff was much better then (which isn't categorically true, by the way). SPIN, however, used to be ahead of the curve. Now it struggles to keep up with the curve, panting like an exhausted walrus.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:51 (9 years ago) Permalink

Alex is right Fritz. Except I guess I'd put it a bit later, maybe '90? I dunno, whenever Leland and Kogan and Sheffield and Eddy and Coley and McNiel and so forth stopped writing. I mean, no offense to any ILXors who contribute but the current writing just can't compete with that lineup, no fucking way.

― Broheems (diamond), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:52 (9 years ago) Permalink

i drank a lot of Meister Brau in 1988.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:53 (9 years ago) Permalink

My favorite "letter from the editor" ever was in a Details magazine from its latter "phase one" days. The editor wrote a column talking about this wonderful $3500 leather jacket he purchased, and then weeped about how he was too frightened to wear it out anywhere, lest it get damaged by rain/wind/etc. I hope it's keeping him warm in Central Park at night, haha.

― Gear! (Gear!), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:53 (9 years ago) Permalink

a lot of Blatz and Iron City too.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:54 (9 years ago) Permalink

I drank Miller that I would steal from the convenience store I worked at as a stock-boy (16, 1st ever job!) I would go carry some garbage out to the dumpster in back, except I'd carry a six pack out with me and then hide it behind the dumpster. Then after my shift was over I'd drive around back and grab the beer.

― Broheems (diamond), Thursday, 26 February 2004 18:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

Meister Brau--back when a microbrew was a microbrew. Now there's a thread--microbrews circa the 1980s (or even more fun, the 1970s when I was collecting beer cans as a kid.)

Either way, Alex is right that SPIN was way better back then. Anyone remember the Michael O'Donohue columns? That guy was a scream, the best back page they've ever had. I've got a few of those columns on my hard drive if anyone wants a repost (SPIN used to keep them at their website, back when they first came online.)

Rolling Stone used to have better non-music writers, too. William Grieder I liked even though I never agreed with much of his stuff. PJ O'Rourke is better than anyone they've had in at least five years on staff there.

The more I think about it, the more I think I've been harsh on Sia for putting her mug all over her page. Bobby Jr. was more of a publicity whore, and she's better looking. But the direction of the magazine is still shit.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:07 (9 years ago) Permalink

i need rolling stone and spin to stick around though cuz i have too much fun complaining about them. what would i have left?

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:15 (9 years ago) Permalink

fair enough. i haven't read spin in ages myself. when i do, i'm always hoping for one of those great sleazy smalltown teen crime or killer drug craze stories but i don't think they do them so much anymore.

I moved recently and actually came across some of the fabled golden age pre'88 issues in a forgotten milk crate at the back of my closet. some of it was pretty great indeed - especially an article on cookie-puss era beastie boys, but a lot of it was pretty thin. there was really LESS in it - huge empty spaces on the pages, big fonts disguising 3 paragraph long stories, fan-ziney articles about nothing and only a couple of pages of record reviews. and legs mcneil was way past his prime by that point too - if you want to get all golden age-y about stuff. he mostly wrote about how shit everything was compared to 1978!

i was into spin more later because - before vibe & the source & rappages, maybe even before Word Up! - they were the only magazine I could find covering hip hop - albeit with a pretty big NYC Def Jam Beasties-PE-Run DMC slant to it but that was fine by me at that point.

I read it pretty much every issue up until the end of the grunge and the beginning of Electronica Fever in the summer of Trainspotting. I have no idea if it's good or bad anymore. Pretty much all music magazines bore me to tears now - but I think that might have as much to do with me as it does with it not being 1988 anymore ;)

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:17 (9 years ago) Permalink

I'd be sad to see SPIN go. I've been reading that magazine since I was 14 or so. It's lame often enough, but every issue has at least a couple things that are either interesting or funny, so I feel like my money's worth. It's a cheap subscription too, which is nice.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:21 (9 years ago) Permalink

I used to read Spin almost every month, but it's just so dull now I won't even pick it up to browse it at the store. It doesn't even piss me off like Rolling Stone does, it's just sitting there, boring me silly, telling me that the Strokes are really good.

― Gear! (Gear!), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:30 (9 years ago) Permalink

I find the idea that it's "gotten" insular in the last two years sort of mystifying, if only because the typical non-music-geek complaing about Spin is that it's ALWAYS been insular. I mean, five years ago they were writing about turntablism and sound-boys, stuff that, for better or worse, is WAY more insular than rock bands with hooks and attractive frontpeople.

that big sound-boy article in the year end round-up in 97 or 98 was a really great article though, and it made me feel like i wasn't the only one like that in the universe ;-)

lets not forget that they used to also have some great stories about electronic music. There was that one issue with Rage on the cover (ugh) in the mid-90s that had articles on Orbital/Underworld/Chem Brothers, a guide to underground electronic music (mentioning Spooky, Mouse on Mars, Jacob's Optical Stairway) and a list of some of america's best producers (everyone from RZA to Wink) and their best productions. Reynolds also used to write for them, and I would wager that his little sidebar on BC/CR/Maurizio is probably the only account of that music to appear in a major american magazine.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:30 (9 years ago) Permalink

I remember that issue. I think they were positioning themselves to be there when electronic music broke big in the USA and they kind of lost their way after that failed to happen.

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:43 (9 years ago) Permalink

yeah, leland/mcneil/coley/sheffield/eddy/kogan years best obv. - nick cave, sa-fire covers when rs was still 100% boomer alert, etc. i think the last gasp was 97-98 (?), hirschhorn years, tad friend, reynolds (wasn't he reviews editor briefly?), charles aaron still in, um, fine form, josh clover still hungry enough for work to not let his smugness eat him alive. i think they fucked themselves when they decided to be anti-new pop, and to cater to alt-rock resentments and prerogatives - ol skool spin loved debbie gibson, new skool dissed britney with the same lame jokes you'd hear from a sixthgrade jeanjacket. 100% alan light's fault, who then jumped ship cuz he realized he was never gonna be able to make spin as lame a mag as he wanted. ol spin has cartoon making fun of sting, new spin has editor's departing to start magazines devoted to sting.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:43 (9 years ago) Permalink

probably true fritz, and it shows how much has changed that a) they were somewhat ahead of the trend and b) they had writers that actually knew enough about the music to mention underground artists.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:48 (9 years ago) Permalink

i went on rockcritics.com today and they had a link to jane dark's blog and this is what i saw:

I had zine called sugarhigh! It came out twice, in the mid-Nineties. It also caused me to become employed (note passive
construction; it sure felt that way) by The Village Voice, which caused me to become employed by Spin, which caused me
to become a very predictable kind of boring writer and feel like a whore. Eventually I stopped; quitting is actually a
perturbing story which involves, in more and less obvious ways, a review of The Coup, backstage passes to a U2 concert,
September 11th, being threatened with a lawsuit by Sia Michel, and a shady helicopter rental in Rio. Anyway, I hope to
write some about music on this site, in a way that might be predictable and boring but not whoresque.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:49 (9 years ago) Permalink

he also has a long entry on Nate's Outkast thread. does he post here under another name? Hmmmm...

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:51 (9 years ago) Permalink

more credit to him than, though i recall him having more hustle than neil strauss when he was there so his deciding 'i'm not a ho (no mo)' reeks of american beauty (and hence reeks).

― cinniblount (James Blount), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:54 (9 years ago) Permalink

that jcjd post on nate's outkast thread was 10% good point 90% bs.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:54 (9 years ago) Permalink

shockah!

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:56 (9 years ago) Permalink

Is this guy related to ILX's resident dialectical materialist?

― Broheems (diamond), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:57 (9 years ago) Permalink

they were seperated at birth. ha ha, i kid sterling.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

no! sterl clover's name isn't really sterl clover (i think it's jean dark).

― cinniblount (James Blount), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

i thought some of jane/josh's stuff for spin was really funny. it definitely stuck out at the time cuz nothing else was very funny that's fer sure.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 26 February 2004 19:59 (9 years ago) Permalink

think the last gasp was 97-98 (?), hirschhorn years, tad friend, reynolds (wasn't he reviews editor briefly?), charles aaron still in, um, fine form, josh clover still hungry enough for work to not let his smugness eat him alive. i think they fucked themselves when they decided to be anti-new pop, and to cater to alt-rock resentments and prerogatives - ol skool spin loved debbie gibson, new skool dissed britney with the same lame jokes you'd hear from a sixthgrade jeanjacket.

Blount otm, I think this was around time I stopped reading it. I don't know if it has improved much since then, but it still makes a bit sad that it won't be around anymore because it meant a lot to me back in the day.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Thursday, 26 February 2004 20:00 (9 years ago) Permalink

although the first time i saw sterl's byline i though of josh clover, though i think sterl can write circles around him now.

the jane/josh '100 albums in 1000 words' thing seemed like spin house snarkpun style pushed to the snake eating tail absurdity. like a litmus test for their readers - 'if you can stomach this you can stomach spin'.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Thursday, 26 February 2004 20:01 (9 years ago) Permalink

Somebody please say somehting about Genius Lessons.

― Jasper Patches (Dating Ikea), Thursday, 26 February 2004 20:10 (9 years ago) Permalink

i always liked it!

― cinniblount (James Blount), Thursday, 26 February 2004 20:11 (9 years ago) Permalink

I like you blount but I fucking hated Genius Lessons. Never struck me as funny, probably because I was so enthralled by By Michael O’Donoghue.

Here's an old favorite of mine.

--------------------------
Spin magazine presents…NOT MY FAULT!
By Michael O’Donoghue

HELLO FROM HOLLYWOOD
GREETINGS FROM THE LAND OF TWICE-KISSED ASS

"The only difference between an actress and a hooker is the hooker fakes orgasm a little better."

WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT THE BRIAN BOSWORTH FILM Festival, I chanced to overhear a heated discussion about acting and the truly great performances. After listening to the usual names tossed around -Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard, Marion Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire, Laurence Olivier in Wuthering Heights, Bill Murray in Scrooged—I piped up to nominate two obscure yet electrifying performances that left me, frankly, trembling. The first was Michael Caine's work in a short promotional film for Jaws Ill. If you recall, this sequel to a sequel had only two elements left from the original Spielberg fear-jerker—the shark itself, by then revealed to be little more than a rubber duck with teeth, and Roy Schneider's wife. Presumably, the shark had eaten everyone else. However, consummate pro that he is, Caine looked directly into camera and swore that, in his opinion, Jaws III was actually better than the first one. Genius! Talk about acting!

You can have your Burton in Hamlet, your Murray in Scrooged, your De Niro, your Streep, this was the stuff of Oscars! Unfortunately, I've forgotten the specific names involved in my second example. It occurred on Entertainment Tonight with Leeza Gibbons or whomever interviewing the stars filing out of the premiere of Harlem Nights—a movie so bad it would have to be reshot to be thrown away—when, absolutely straightfaced, every one of them claimed not only to love the picture but went on to burble that Eddie Murphy had proven himself to be a fabulous actor, a talented director, and a wonderful writer. According to them, Eddie was a "triple threat." I get goose bumps just thinking about it.

Or, to put it another way, all actors are lying whores and Hollywood is the world's biggest whorehouse. Keep this in mind when they're yammering about genetically altered milk and the Haitian boat people and the Amanda Foundation and Alar in apples and freeing Tibet and saving the worms. I mean, don't you find it a touch scary that the only thing between us and the end of the oceans is Ted Denson? Think about it. And then think about this: No matter what actors say or do, no matter how many causes they champion, no matter how many ribbons they wear on their lapels, no matter how many Ramlosa bottles they recycle, no matter how quickly they volunteer to sweep up after the LA, riots, any one of them would fuck a trout farm to stay on top. You can test the depth of Hollywood with a blotter. And I'll be cornholed with a Garden-Weasel before I'll sit around and let some brain-damaged sunbunny with Gummy Bears for tits take the moral high ground with me. Or listen to some freak who makes $14 million a pic just because his cheekbones happen to slice the light in a certain way try to make me feel guilty because I'm not driving a goddamned solar car,

Here's a line I caught at Mortons recently "Alan doesn't care about what you and I care about, Alan cares about caring." Wrong. What Alan cares about is, in this order: money, drugs, his name above the title, buggering young boys, his beach house in Maui, his ranch in Ojai, his Lotus Elan, his quarter horses, his Navajo rugs, his hard-true tennis court, his retablo collection, his Patek Philippe wristwatch, about a million other things, and finally, last but least, Alan cares about caring, whatever the fuck that means!

I once heard with my own ears Mandy Patinkin stand up at a meeting of "concerned actors" and say he didn't want to be called an actor anymore. He preferred to be known as a "citizen-performer," Apparently, Mandy thinks he's living in some Greek city-state and not the big shithole I like to call "America." "On look! It's Plato, Pericles, and Mandy Patinkin, the citizen-performer. Let's all go to the marble courtyard and have a meaningful dialogue about Truth and Being." Oh, which reminds me—most of them are real stupid. Someone once wrote, I believe it was me, that "actors are like children, except dumber." How true, Mike. Take for example the dewy-eyed dimbulb I saw on Leno who, between pictures, was using the time to discover herself "as a person," As opposed to what?! Discovering herself "as a lawn chair"? Discovering herself "as a swag lamp"? Discovering herself "as a pen and pencil set"? It's a medical fact that the IQ of the average actress is lower than Dick Van Patten's sperm count.

You understand, of course, none of this applies to those immortals of the screen who gave us the really memorable performances such as Henry Fonda in The Grapes of Wrath or Bill Murray in Scrooged. I'm speaking more of fly-by-night celebrities like Maria McKee who actually said to the audience at a benefit to save the Brazilian rain forest, "Thank you for your commitment to survival." I suppose she stands on river banks and thanks the salmon for swimming upstream. Or professional hand-wringers like Whoopi. Is there a cause on the planet she hasn't hitched a ride on? I think the only one she's missed is the Committee to Provide Massive Plastic Surgery for Whoopi Goldberg because she is one ugly bitch. Her face could stop Big Ben, a sundial, and a free digital watch. If the devil really takes pretty women from the front and ugly women from the back, he'd take Whoopi by airmail. She is so ugly that—uh oh. Gotta run. Late for Bible study.

NEXT MONTH: A Brief History of Urine Retention.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 21:02 (9 years ago) Permalink

I mean, the nastiness of that guy was just amazing for a magazine that was in the business of currying favors from publicists.

― don weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 21:03 (9 years ago) Permalink

How exactly do you fuck a trout farm?

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Thursday, 26 February 2004 21:11 (9 years ago) Permalink

very carefully.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 26 February 2004 21:14 (9 years ago) Permalink

Four more Not My Fault! columns here. #4 is the best one.

― Phil Freeman (Phil Freeman), Thursday, 26 February 2004 21:45 (9 years ago) Permalink

I was just getting ready to post #4 Phil...hah! that indeed was his best moment.

― don fucking weiner, Thursday, 26 February 2004 21:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

This is a fucking MUSIC magazine!! I don't wanna read any shit that's not about music!!

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Thursday, 26 February 2004 22:35 (9 years ago) Permalink

I HEART MICHAEL O'DONOGHUE

― dean! (deangulberry), Thursday, 26 February 2004 22:39 (9 years ago) Permalink

Although the marriage/triangle now makes a lot more sense because I've noticed that corny indie fuxxx are prone to a lot more relationship melodrama and angst than other people.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Thursday, 26 February 2004 22:42 (9 years ago) Permalink

I once drew a parody of Genius Lessons and sent it in, I came home from school one day to a call from someone at Spin who wanted to publish it, but I got home too late to return the call. My brush with infamy.

I hated Genius Lessons, btw

― Blood and sparkles (bloodandsparkles), Thursday, 26 February 2004 23:23 (9 years ago) Permalink

I always thought "Genius Lessons" was shit -- and then I discovered that Sean Landers actually has somewhat of a reputation in the art world, which didn't make me like the column necessarily but sorta made me admire him. I mean, here's a guy who can rest on the laurels of exhibiting at the Whitney, but he's chosen to subject himself to hate mail from 14-year-olds in Omaha.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 27 February 2004 00:07 (9 years ago) Permalink

The Vines are now on the cover. And they gave Courtney an A-. Circle down that drain quickly, Spin.

― Sym (shmuel), Friday, 27 February 2004 00:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

the Courtney record is actually good, though that review didn't make me think it would be AT ALL

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Friday, 27 February 2004 01:41 (9 years ago) Permalink

Anyway, I don't think Spin is down the drain, just going through a.... ... cycle!

ahahahahahaha aha ahaaa hahaha aha a aha a ha. ha.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Friday, 27 February 2004 04:15 (9 years ago) Permalink

Ba-hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 27 February 2004 04:17 (9 years ago) Permalink

I would so read a thread that consisted of nothing but Sterling and Alex doing that.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 27 February 2004 04:41 (9 years ago) Permalink

SPIN was a godsend for me in high school

Me too. I think I kind of loved to hate it more than anything, at first I was intimidated 'cause it was all snotty and hip, and then when I got most of the references I was busy sneering back at them, but I kept reading it anyway. Wish I had a copy of the parody Sia Michel article written for our college radio zine, but then, only a college radio staffer would think it was clever or funny.

My favorite SPIN moment, besides the awesome cover story on Hole right when Live Through This came out, is a letters to the editor section from 93 (just found the excerpts I'd stuck on a tape case)..

On Juliana Hatfield:
"Is it because her mother is the fashion editor of the Boston Globe that we must be subjected to endless drivel about her angst-ridden and privileged upbringing? As far as her music goes - "high priestess of mind fuck"? You've got to be kidding! She wears her suburban hang-ups on her sleeve like some kind of corporate logo."

On a Breeders piece by Charles Aaron:
".. anyone who read this snot-nosed, self-obsessed band profile knew it could only have been directed at him. The real icing on the cake comes when Aaron describes the Breeders as 'acting out some postpunk version of a 40s George Cukor bitchfest" starring Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, and Spencer Tracy. Attention SPIN editors: Nobody in your audience got that reference."

― daria g (daria g), Friday, 27 February 2004 05:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

If not for Byron Coley's column in Spin, I would never have heard of Borbetomagus. For that alone, the magazine's existence is justified. But man, does that fuckstick from the Vines need a crowbar to the teeth.

― Phil Freeman (Phil Freeman), Friday, 27 February 2004 14:35 (9 years ago) Permalink

used to subscribe in the early 90s in late high school... relied on it heavily at that point. "pavement? cool, i'll have to check that out."

i think i became too cool for the magazine once i got into college. i never really came back to it once i got over hipsteritus, but it still remains a reason to go to the magazine rack at any bookstore. i usually flip through, see who is getting reviewed, in the top 20, or in the next 50 hot bands lists. if you're in spin, you've sort of made it in a way. (and that could be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective...) it's a handy way to gauge where a band is.

perhaps for that reason alone, i hope it doesn't go away.
m.

― msp, Friday, 27 February 2004 14:43 (9 years ago) Permalink

yeah, Byron turned me on to so much stuff it isn't even funny. it would be a long-ass list. he made me buy jandek records in the 80's. he even made me buy a rat at rat r record. and scratch acid i think. lots of stuff.

― scott seward (scott seward), Friday, 27 February 2004 14:45 (9 years ago) Permalink

The only two things I definitely bought because of his writing were Borbeto's Live In Allentown cassette (still have it!) and Dredd Foole & The Din's Take Off Your Skin (which really needs a CD reissue—it's still one of the most ass-whomping underground rock albums I've ever heard).

― Phil Freeman (Phil Freeman), Friday, 27 February 2004 15:31 (9 years ago) Permalink

byron coley and chuck eddy were the two people writing for spin whose tastes most resembled mine at the time.and they were the two people i most enjoyed reading.and, in fact, i still enjoy reading them almost 20 years later.

― scott seward (scott seward), Friday, 27 February 2004 15:51 (9 years ago) Permalink

all who love michael o'donoghue's writing *must* check out the amazing Mr Mike biog...

― stevie (stevie), Friday, 27 February 2004 16:37 (9 years ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...

so anyone see the new spin? if it didn't come delivered into my mailbox i would've thought it a really spot-on spin parody -- nirvana on the cover, a reissue of weezer's blue album the lede review, a dave eggers column on kings of leon, and a big death cab for cutie feature. wtf??? there is absolutely no direction there right now.

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 14:56 (9 years ago) Permalink

Cripes, how many times are they going to put that cadaver on the cover?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:42 (9 years ago) Permalink

remember, there will be media overexposure due to next months...10 years on

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:44 (9 years ago) Permalink

Ugh!

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:45 (9 years ago) Permalink

Dave Eggers and Kings Of Leon...hee hee heeeeee

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:47 (9 years ago) Permalink

haha "reissue"

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:49 (9 years ago) Permalink

WHITE PEOPLE GOTTA DIE

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:49 (9 years ago) Permalink

(it will be a blissful release)

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:50 (9 years ago) Permalink

With all the great music happening right now, the geniuses at SPIN pick something that was over ten years ago. The sad thing is that the editorial content of the article was just as stale--oh, but yes, we did get some of that coveted Strokes quotage. Does anyone at the home office venture outside the Bowery or Brooklyn, other than Klosterman?

So yes, SPIN is most certainly circling the drain.

― don weiner, Tuesday, 16 March 2004 19:01 (9 years ago) Permalink

Next month's cover: Pia Zadora

― Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 19:08 (9 years ago) Permalink

Funny you should mention her, as they once featured Joey Ramone interviewing Pia Zadora back when the magazine was still sort've fresh and irreverant. I also remember Lydia Lunch interviewing Pat Benatar...which was most amusing.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 20:04 (9 years ago) Permalink

Rolling Stone just had an interesting profile on Bob Guccione Sr. (fulfilled the sleaze quotient for the issue w/ Affleck on the cover.) Apprently he and Jr. had a falling out b/c Sr. wanted to put Pia Zadora on the cover as a favor to a friend and Jr. refused. Sr. stopped supporting Spin and they haven't spoken since.

― Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 20:11 (9 years ago) Permalink

fyi, SW will not be covering KC 10th anniv.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 20:19 (9 years ago) Permalink

Can you do a cover story on Paul Revere & The Raiders instead. They are my favorite Seattle grunge-rockers.

― scott seward (scott seward), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 20:22 (9 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

sold for $5M?

Holyshit, they really WERE circling the drain

― don weiner (don weiner), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 19:52 (7 years ago) Permalink

Andy Pemberton new EIC?!

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 20:45 (7 years ago) Permalink

SPIN was a hero to most
But it never meant shit...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 20:48 (7 years ago) Permalink

the pemberton move is such a strange one. now we will have three blenders!

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 21:10 (7 years ago) Permalink

Whoo--is Andy Pemberton? I liked Keith Harris's review of Rehearsing My Choir. That's like the Spin I remember!

― Rip Van Winkle, Wednesday, 1 March 2006 21:28 (7 years ago) Permalink

Your loss, then.

― Zwan (miccio), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 21:33 (7 years ago) Permalink

i have really fond memories of spin in the early 90s. "sorry"

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 21:37 (7 years ago) Permalink

Also just saw that Chuck Klosterman is jumping ship ... kind of amazing he was still there, all things considered.

― Chris O., Wednesday, 1 March 2006 21:44 (7 years ago) Permalink

five million before factoring in subscriber liability: the cash price was probably closer to one (or zero) millon.

― dan (dan), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 22:04 (7 years ago) Permalink

Hell, we all should have bought it. ILM THE MAGAZINE.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 22:16 (7 years ago) Permalink

Letters (From Random Googlers) to the Editor
"Dear ILM,

"Ur criticism of 3 Dors Down was complete Bullsiht..."

― Cunga (Cunga), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 22:21 (7 years ago) Permalink

Kayne West could have a montly Q&A column!

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 22:29 (7 years ago) Permalink

Cascading style subscription cards

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 22:31 (7 years ago) Permalink

I just hope the new Spin features even more unreadable marginalia. That'll attract the kids.

In the near future every pop culture magazine will be so short and snarky it really *will* be like reading ILM the magazine.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 22:38 (7 years ago) Permalink

the black metal guys would have their own lil corner

― latebloomer: where dignity goes to die (latebloomer), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 22:42 (7 years ago) Permalink

methinks the new owners are rilly green, b/c they must not have done any due diligence. I worked for AP at blender, and he did nothing except express naked contempt for Americans and display willful ignorance towards American culture. what's more, he hated Spin— the wonky music crit tendencies of most of the people there would ensure a vomitous reaction to one of his lectures. hence the bloodbath there today and yesterday…

Spin has been in trouble for a long time, but his hiring will only hasten its demise. It was Ap's second-in-command who did all the heavy lifting. AP has no interest in the international web (or at least he didn't when I worked for him)— if he thinks he can get young uns to add Spin to their diet of MYSpace, he is sorely mistaken.

check this out this interview with Mediabistro…he didn't get it then…

Do you think that the Internet is inhibiting the sale of CDs?
People don't want this stuff for free. There are a few people in colleges and stuff who get a thrill out of downloading stuff illegally, but most people will pay 60 cents for a song they download. It's only 60 cents, and most people are more than happy to pay for it. Before record labels endorsed music licensing, people were downloading music for free because there were no other options. It was a great piece of technology. I mean iTunes is successful, and that seems to be the way things are going, record companies are finally realizing that they can be involved in websites that charge for tunes and still be financially viable. Regardless, the CD will still exist, just in reduced circumstances. It will perhaps be similar to movies. You can experience a movie in a variety of formats—at the cinema, on DVD, or VHS.

http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a991.asp

― veronica moser (veronica moser), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 23:46 (7 years ago) Permalink

it was easy money for Klosterman and he was basically either shitting out columns or getting SPIN to grant him vanity articles. Which was fine with me, actually.

I was shocked--shocked--that it went for $5M although given that it's bleeding $3M per year and the subscriber liability noted above, I had no idea things were this bad.

I don't find the Pemberton move at all unpredictable. I wouldn't want to work for him, either--thanks for chiming in Veronica, so I don't have to relay my own stories.

Who else got booted there today from the staff (other than the publisher and EIC yesterday)? I heard some names that were likely to be gone by the end of the week...

― don weiner (don weiner), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 23:53 (7 years ago) Permalink

apart from CK, its two that I know of— I don't think that i should name them.

I'm sure that he will fire most Spinvolk— I predict he will attempt to staff it with Brits, altho' I doubt the new owners will be willing to spring for multiple green cards. he'll have to staff it with Americans—if they know of his rep, they would have to be masochists or truly desperate, and there sure are a lotta people like the latter these days. the freelance pool will be almost exclusively british.

he does need a consigliere, like Blender's CM, but one who will be loyal and not say to the owners "he does nothing; I do everything, fire him." he has been a consultant since being fired from Blender, so he may very well have learned something, altho I doubt it.

― veronica moser (veronica moser), Thursday, 2 March 2006 00:08 (7 years ago) Permalink

that tiger is not going to change his stripes. no way.

I can only assume that hiring AP is a huge signifier of the short term brand strategy of the new owners. Which is sad, because that mag needs some serious babying and given the long term outlook of music glossies, investors are probably not going to have much patience watching that thing bleed cash.

Is Blender doing 12 issues a year yet?

― don weiner (don weiner), Thursday, 2 March 2006 00:19 (7 years ago) Permalink

blender's been at 12 since year two, i believe.

i can't think of anyone currently on-staff who would do well under ap. spin has definitely lost its way (really? another my chemical romance cover?) but ap is not the one to right it. yr right don about the long view. last fall they had an issue with two great travelogue pieces: simon on grime in london and caramanica on houston hip-hop. finally spin read like something other than How to Live in NYC on Drink Tickets. i really felt like that would be a good (if expensive) direction to go: the music travelogue. clearly that will not be the case.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Thursday, 2 March 2006 00:27 (7 years ago) Permalink

i would guess that they actually paid next to nothing in cash, that they overpaid, and that they do not fully understand the economics of maintaining a file of 500,000 subscribers on a magazine where the actual subscriber demand is a wee fraction of that. eventually the new york office will shut down (except for a small ad sales presence) and then it will go from 12x/year to something lower. the new owner (sf chronicle heir) probably has a lot of money so i could be wrong on the last two.

― dan (dan), Thursday, 2 March 2006 00:35 (7 years ago) Permalink

I rather like the NY-snarky-centric version of the mag, just not the one that appears fascinated with celebrity status and starfucking (hi dere Spitz.) Plus it has a somewhat serious side to it, one that seems to be a true writer's forum. Where now?

I wouldn't be so sure they overpaid or that they got had; Hartle Media are not strangers to the magazine world at all and run the Northwest sales offices for SPIN and Popular Mechanics. It's just that hiring AP is not really a vote of confidence that they are going to nurture this thing into something special over the long haul. Hiring him makes it look more like a flip getting ready to happen.

― don weiner (don weiner), Thursday, 2 March 2006 00:53 (7 years ago) Permalink

Where have you gone, Bob Guccione Jr.?

― Okeigh, Thursday, 2 March 2006 02:27 (7 years ago) Permalink

Woo woo woo?

― Okeigh, Thursday, 2 March 2006 02:27 (7 years ago) Permalink

I thought the AP quotes in this NYPost piece (reg required) were quite rich.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Thursday, 2 March 2006 14:32 (7 years ago) Permalink

i'm still utterly mind-boggled that spin sold for only $5 million bucks! i bet if everyone on ILM had donated some dough, we could've bought it ourselves and made "ILM: The Magazine"!

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 14:45 (7 years ago) Permalink

yeah, but it would have gone under in record time. what with the 30 page sugababes retrospectives and xiu xiu cover shots.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 14:52 (7 years ago) Permalink

I miss Option.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:10 (7 years ago) Permalink

i was going to do an entire contents page for a hypothetical issue of ilm the magazine but i'm not quite bored enough

― ham'ron (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:20 (7 years ago) Permalink

For sale: Once-fun cultch mag laid waist by THEE INTERNET. Asking $850,000. Will thro in 5 mil in debtz.

SOLD.

So they paid $850,000 for the right to try to recoup $5 million in standing debt. E.g. "We can make it work." There hasn't been a full ad in SPIN in over a year - everything is either a co-brand tie-in or a huge discount. And I think I saw maybe three, four ads in that span that weren't explicitly music-related. Once upon a time SPIN had ads for clothes, food and movies. My question is, why do you throw the editorial staff in the blender when it's so clear that ad sales killed the mag?

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:20 (7 years ago) Permalink

aren't they really just buying the brand? not that spin means much to that many people anymore, but it is a recognizable name and people always pay money for that. like the national lampoon.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:24 (7 years ago) Permalink

Bob Guccione Jr., 1985: "I think the world could use a younger version of Rolling Stone"

Andy Pemberton, 2006: "I think the world could use a younger version of Rolling Stone."

― ng-unit, Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:33 (7 years ago) Permalink

scott! you and me! let's buy spin!

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:34 (7 years ago) Permalink

i'm still utterly mind-boggled that spin sold for only $5 million bucks! i bet if everyone on ILM had donated some dough, we could've bought it ourselves and made "ILM: The Magazine"!

But but but I said that already upthread! (It is nice to see you agreeing with me though. ;-) )

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:35 (7 years ago) Permalink

i would mandate that all record reviews now be 3,000 words each.

and all the articles would be 6,000 word travelogues with tons of photos. scott would do the 'scott page', which he could fill with whatever he wanted, and his baby rufus would do the DJ chart every month. jess would have a drum'n'bass column, and woebot would have a ten-page full-color laminated gatefold pullout every month to fill with whatever his heart desired. i would write the "berlin page" every issue, with lots of goofy photos of 6 am clubbing action. simon r. would have a column to enthuse about his favorite early ardkore records. matos would do a cdr-go column every month. and every issue would come with a mix-CD curated by optimo, encased in an edible sleeve printed on blotter.

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:43 (7 years ago) Permalink

(Can I have a half page where I post nothing but smiley faces and "Astounding!")

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:45 (7 years ago) Permalink

oh, and mark s and jel would be the art directors! and tom ewing would have the NYLPM column.

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:46 (7 years ago) Permalink

ned, you can write record reviews for our reviews editor (who would be ian penman)

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:47 (7 years ago) Permalink

I would be more than content with that. :-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:47 (7 years ago) Permalink

I'm in, Geeta! Gosh, imagine if someone actually put out a magazine that was fun to read.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:48 (7 years ago) Permalink

I want a free jazz column.

― pdf (Phil Freeman), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:49 (7 years ago) Permalink

and in place of chuck klosterman, our star staff writer will be tim finney

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:49 (7 years ago) Permalink

:-D :-D :-D

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:50 (7 years ago) Permalink

:-/

― ,,,,,,,,, Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:51 (7 years ago) Permalink

phil can have the free jazz column. and we'll include a special limited-edition borbetomagus 7" with the first issue.

BTW phil, check yr email...

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:52 (7 years ago) Permalink

i don't know if the new spin will ever be able to top the 14 page falloutboy lay-out in this month's rolling stone.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:03 (7 years ago) Permalink

rolling stone's got nothin' on us now that hunter s. thompson's bit the dust.

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:08 (7 years ago) Permalink

scott, i want you to do a feature on the hell's angels.

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:09 (7 years ago) Permalink

k-punk would have a column called "why theory?"

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:11 (7 years ago) Permalink

Why not save $5mil and do an online, freeform, interactive magazine of sorts?

― Dave will do (dave225.3), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:11 (7 years ago) Permalink

In otherwards, ILX.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:13 (7 years ago) Permalink

"other words," ned -- don't make me sic our nonexistent copyeditors on you!

(mark s will write the style guide, with special entries for "haha," "nu-god," and "roXoR")

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:16 (7 years ago) Permalink

"Let's Buy SPIN!"

ahahahahahaha

I don't know why I find this so funny. Future Art Brut song title?

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:22 (7 years ago) Permalink

dave q will be the "taking sides" editor. in every issue, he'll take sides against himself, and then write about it. we'll explode the tyranny of binary opposition and let him take n+1 sides, where "n" is a number we'll figure out by rolling a 20-sided die.

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:25 (7 years ago) Permalink

>:(

― ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:26 (7 years ago) Permalink

"other words," ned -- don't make me sic our nonexistent copyeditors on you!

Help help!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:31 (7 years ago) Permalink

geeta don't forget Anthony's punk-pop singles round-up.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:34 (7 years ago) Permalink

why do you throw the editorial staff in the blender when it's so clear that ad sales killed the mag?

when ad sales and readership is down, people don't tend to start blaming the advertising sales force. People start looking at the product that is for sale. And that product is mostly the responsibility of the editorial staff. But if you want to make the case that the editorial staff was delivering a desired product Chris, go ahead and make that case.

oh, and Happy Birthday Ned.

― don weiner (don weiner), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:38 (7 years ago) Permalink

i think if everyone on ILX throws down a grand, we could buy spin
-- gear (speed.to.roa...), February 19th, 2006 9:41 AM.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I actually really like that idea! Good god it would be fun for the half an issue before we ran it into the ground.
-- Sterling Clover (s.clove...), February 19th, 2006 10:29 AM.

― gear (gear), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:39 (7 years ago) Permalink

x-post No one will put out a new magazine that is fun to read because everyone under the age of 20 knows that reading is no fun. They must only be fun to *look at*, leaving plenty of brain power left to concentrate on using the toilet.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:41 (7 years ago) Permalink

ill handle the advertising and/or bookeeping.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:55 (7 years ago) Permalink

the title of this thread reminds me of every Newsweek cover headline ever

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:00 (7 years ago) Permalink

oh, and Happy Birthday Ned.

Thanks!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:00 (7 years ago) Permalink

"No one will put out a new magazine that is fun to read because everyone under the age of 20 knows that reading is no fun."

Even though I'm biased, I really do think Decibel is the best music mag being made in the U.S. But genre mags don't have to play by the same rules as normal mags. they can assume that people know a little bit about the subject and don't have to spoon feed. I still think someone could do this with a music mag aimed at a general audience. write intelligently and with a sense of humor and not play dumb. i really think people would be appreciative. spin started out that way.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:05 (7 years ago) Permalink

my hero:

http://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/mudrian-albert-060228.shtml

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:08 (7 years ago) Permalink

I would say the case is made by the fact that Andy Pemberton is the replacement meant to change the product, don.

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:12 (7 years ago) Permalink

"When Andy Pemberton came to New York in 2001 to help launch Dennis Publishing’s new music mag, Blender, he says he felt that the music mags on the market were tired and arduous. He couldn’t understand how music writers could take something that he thought was “the most fun thing” and make it tedious."

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:16 (7 years ago) Permalink

cuz music writers are in charge of what gets printed, in case you didn't know.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:17 (7 years ago) Permalink

We like the post-Colonial electronica that goes boom.

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:18 (7 years ago) Permalink

this is completely confusing:

"There's a new music magazine, Tracks, which is marketed to an older listening audience. Does this magazine affect you?
It is a totally different audience; however, we do cover album reissues. Before us, no other magazines did that. We like to maintain a wider presence, but I think that it would also be a good idea to do a Mojo-like magazine in America."

Is he really saying that Blender was the first magazine to review reissues? Why would he say that?

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:26 (7 years ago) Permalink

according to their own publisher's statement, spin's newsstand price was 94 cents in second half of last year. is that right?

(second half 05 newsstand sales: rs - 129k, blender 82k, spin 52k)

― dan (dan), Thursday, 2 March 2006 17:56 (7 years ago) Permalink

Were there an ILM: The Magazine, I would want to do the Sassy-style puff pieces on famous celebrities: "Patricia Churchland...Tab or Fresca?"

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Thursday, 2 March 2006 18:51 (7 years ago) Permalink

That would be fantastic.

― My Psychic Friends Are Strangely Silent (Ex Leon), Thursday, 2 March 2006 19:20 (7 years ago) Permalink

like i said upthread, the black metal dudes would get their own corner

― latebloomer: where dignity goes to die (latebloomer), Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:29 (7 years ago) Permalink

Like, corner of the office, or corner of the magazine?

― Eppy (Eppy), Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:30 (7 years ago) Permalink

It is laughably ridiculous that you continue to ridicule black metal untrendy tr00 believers such as myself, Vas and Sami, usw, like this. As if we would want a corner of the Spin, do me a break. Should we write little pop articles for girls? What I am hearing is absurd! Let me know anyone if you would like me to YSI their new demo.

― Janne Karlsson, Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:40 (7 years ago) Permalink

but with Spin, you'd all have an outlet to pervert the minds of impressionable young readers across the country!

― latebloomer: where dignity goes to die (latebloomer), Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:43 (7 years ago) Permalink

you could review current metal albums and school the youngun's on being kult and necro and shit

― latebloomer: where dignity goes to die (latebloomer), Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:44 (7 years ago) Permalink

And you could decorate your corner however you want! Ok, within certain limits.

― Eppy (Eppy), Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:44 (7 years ago) Permalink

yeah, just prolly not animal carcasses, the other staff members might not appreciate the smell.

― latebloomer: where dignity goes to die (latebloomer), Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:47 (7 years ago) Permalink

i leve the carcass of my prey where i want, waekling

― Mr. Vas Djifrens (byzantum), Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:49 (7 years ago) Permalink

and you would not want to be decoratement on the walls of my office, i am guessing

― Mr. Vas Djifrens (byzantum), Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:51 (7 years ago) Permalink

Perhaps small pentagram on floor? OK, maybe I am sympathetic to this wish. However if people become afraid, so bad for them, for it is well across the internet known my reviews are uncompromising and pull off no punches.

― Janne Karlsson, Thursday, 2 March 2006 20:52 (7 years ago) Permalink

this is more what i am having in mind

― Mr. Vas Djifrens (byzantum), Thursday, 2 March 2006 21:09 (7 years ago) Permalink

That is the guy from Children of Boredom who make stupid faces?

― Janne Karlsson, Thursday, 2 March 2006 21:13 (7 years ago) Permalink

no, but it will be

― latebloomer: where dignity goes to die (latebloomer), Thursday, 2 March 2006 21:20 (7 years ago) Permalink

you know nothing weakling, of my victims.

― Mr. Vas Djifrens (byzantum), Thursday, 2 March 2006 21:21 (7 years ago) Permalink

time for your pills

― blunt (blunt), Thursday, 2 March 2006 21:24 (7 years ago) Permalink

more changes:

http://www.gawker.com/news/spin/what-goes-up-must-come-down-spinnin-wheel-got-to-go-round-158054.php

― mark p (Mark P), Thursday, 2 March 2006 21:24 (7 years ago) Permalink

SPIN should just reprint old issues from late 80s/early 90s in their entirety and sell those.

― dar1a g (daria g), Thursday, 2 March 2006 21:29 (7 years ago) Permalink

I'd buy that.

― Eppy (Eppy), Thursday, 2 March 2006 21:29 (7 years ago) Permalink

would it be bad to open a bottle of champagne in celebration of the -- hopefully - permanent demise of Marc Sptiz?

― juana, Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:02 (7 years ago) Permalink

Juana makes wine from the tears of Ultragrrrl.

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:20 (7 years ago) Permalink

Back to ILM Magazine, could I have a deep house review section please ? No reviews, no ratings, no BS : just a list of unfailingly fine, recently re(re)leased recordings to be bought eyes closed & ears open.

― blunt (blunt), Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:44 (7 years ago) Permalink

I think the name for the ILM Magazine should be CIRCLING THE DRAIN.

― joseph cotten (joseph cotten), Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:48 (7 years ago) Permalink

Is ILM really circling the drain? (answer: yes)

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:49 (7 years ago) Permalink

We've recycled and are currently in cloud formation mode.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:57 (7 years ago) Permalink

The whole "drain" imagery has me thinking of ILM, from

― Je4nne Æ’urÂ¥ (Je4nne Fury), Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:58 (7 years ago) Permalink

Revolver sold for $4 million. Considering Revolver has no outstanding debt and actually makes money, it's basically worth more that SPIN. Wow.

― ng-unit, Wednesday, 8 March 2006 15:40 (7 years ago) Permalink

but no one here cares, b/c a.) no name crits have ever had anything to do with it, b.) its the butt-rock journal of note. However, it was sold by Harris Publications, which used to own Guitar World. Now Future Music owns GW and Rev, and Harris is divested of music titles.

― veronica moser (veronica moser), Thursday, 9 March 2006 00:40 (7 years ago) Permalink

i've always liked the issues of revolver i've read, although i don't know much abt. the bands in it.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 9 March 2006 00:43 (7 years ago) Permalink

Harris is divested of music titles.

that's pretty big news, I'd say! they had a bunch of them.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Thursday, 9 March 2006 02:43 (7 years ago) Permalink

i wish they sold metal hammer where i live. i wish they sold anything where i live. they do have revolver at the drug store, but i've never bought a copy. which is weird, cuz i'll buy anything. maybe i'll buy the one out now. (that interview with the editor over at revolver on rockcritics.com scared me from ever sending them my stuff. he said something about not liking...whatever it is i do. i can't remember the specifics.)

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 9 March 2006 02:50 (7 years ago) Permalink

"whatever it is i do"

not ME personally. just my ilk, i guess.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 9 March 2006 02:51 (7 years ago) Permalink

You have an ilk?

I want an ilk.

― Brian O'Neill (NYCNative), Thursday, 9 March 2006 07:35 (7 years ago) Permalink

i hate the rest of denis publications, but blender is good with all kinds of music, its smart about shit that sells (cf the kenny chesney feature), it cares about culture (the mars hill article), it has fun (the 848 feature) and it actually hires women and other minorities to write for it...its not a bad magazine.

― anthony easton (anthony), Thursday, 9 March 2006 08:03 (7 years ago) Permalink

the butt-rock journal of note

roffle

― m coleman (lovebug starski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 11:20 (7 years ago) Permalink

Bring back MELODY MAKER...

― Russell Dixon (Skinny), Thursday, 9 March 2006 11:22 (7 years ago) Permalink

Wait did Matos really come out pro-America's Sweetheart in this thread?

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Thursday, 9 March 2006 12:33 (7 years ago) Permalink

That rockcritics.com interview was weird, because the interviewer mentioned me by name as a contributor that made the mag interesting, or something (I forget, it's been awhile), yet it was right after that that my work for them pretty much dried up.

― pdf (Phil Freeman), Thursday, 9 March 2006 13:16 (7 years ago) Permalink

Uh I currently owe Harris thousands of dollars so I feel like they had more than just Revolver, or did they sell other ones lately?

― Eppy (Eppy), Thursday, 9 March 2006 14:50 (7 years ago) Permalink

uhh, you owe Harris $$$, Eppy? are you an advertiser, or do you work for one?

harris owned Guitar World forever, and started Revolver as an american Mojo/Q right before Blender came along. So they changed it into a slightly more canny version of Hit Parader or Circus or…Rock Sound? is that what it's called? it has made money, apparently, on the backs of white dirtbags. the editor referenced above doesn't much care for the nu-metal/screamo stuff he must cover…

I think harris still owns King, which wags referred to as "Blaxim."

― veronica moser (veronica moser), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:03 (7 years ago) Permalink

Er, sorry, it's probably worrisome that I personalized it so much, but I really mean "the company that I work for." Harris is very much on my mind these days.

― Eppy (Eppy), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:55 (7 years ago) Permalink

ILM: The Magazine needs its own thread.

― js (honestengine), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:39 (7 years ago) Permalink

I want to do a "ChartWatch" column for ILM: The Magazine (if the Good Dr. Bill doesn't beat me to it)!

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Thursday, 9 March 2006 18:27 (7 years ago) Permalink

3 weeks pass...

― don weiner (don weiner), Friday, 31 March 2006 18:17 (7 years ago) Permalink

alt.porn? Is that where they have alt.sex?

― mike h. (mike h.), Friday, 31 March 2006 18:23 (7 years ago) Permalink

Great, just what we need. Another talent-free low self-esteem girl to help us "broaden our horizons".

Goodbye Spin.

― everything, Friday, 31 March 2006 18:29 (7 years ago) Permalink

She's about as curvy as a stringbean.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 31 March 2006 23:12 (7 years ago) Permalink

Well, at least she resembles PJ Harvey a little bit.

― Jeff K (jeff k), Friday, 31 March 2006 23:30 (7 years ago) Permalink

I don't know if they're circling the drain - check out this scoop:

http://www.spin.com/reviews/magazine/2006/04/060323_gunsnroses/

― schwantz (schwantz), Friday, 31 March 2006 23:32 (7 years ago) Permalink

Wait a minute, how can that review be posted on April 1st if it's still March 31st? (wink, wink)

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Friday, 31 March 2006 23:37 (7 years ago) Permalink

what, they review Chinese Democracy but not the new My Bloody Valentine album??!? Spin has LOST IT

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 31 March 2006 23:41 (7 years ago) Permalink

lol what about the neutral milk hotel album, fellows

― gear (gear), Friday, 31 March 2006 23:42 (7 years ago) Permalink

its only slightly worse than the Smiths reunion album.

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 31 March 2006 23:43 (7 years ago) Permalink

speaking of reunions, there's mumblings of a lethargy/vertigo one-off charity festival date

― latebloomer: a power and finesse vocalist (latebloomer), Saturday, 1 April 2006 00:42 (7 years ago) Permalink

Don't forget the 'Mats! (I'd tell my troubles to that girl, but I bet she's not the real Adviser.)

― don, Saturday, 1 April 2006 01:34 (7 years ago) Permalink

Porn and sex are barely connected so I don't see how a 'porn star' could help people with sexual problems.

― Raw Patrick (Raw Patrick), Saturday, 1 April 2006 14:28 (7 years ago) Permalink

It's alt. porn. They have tattoos and flesh plugs and stuff!

― jimnaseum (jimnaseum), Saturday, 1 April 2006 14:29 (7 years ago) Permalink

i'd say Spin started going downhill once Ultragrrrl stopped writing for them.

― Wrinklepaws (Wrinklepaws), Saturday, 1 April 2006 14:56 (7 years ago) Permalink

I looked at ms Angel's website, the url of which was listed on the spin advert that don weiner presented, above. I d/l-ed & watched one of the clips. A skanky, albeit attractive young woman with a lot of tattoos is in a house with a young bearded guy who appears to be a carpenter - he has carpentry tools attached to his belt. She has bleached blonde hair with the roots showing (I like this) and too much eye makeup (not this though. Pandas =/= hott) They feel each other up a bit, then have sex. In one short sequence they are in "reverse cowgirl" position, or a minor variant thereof. She props hersef up by holding onto one of those long yellow aluminium spirit levels. They then shift to missionary position. She is wearing horrible platform shoes. Perhaps she isn't that attractive really. I notice that she is wearing a necklace withe the word "skank" on it. The guy looks a bit dorky. Then they are standing next to each other. The woman says to the man "I can't wait to put my mouth on your cock". In what I presume is an attempt at humour, the man holds up a caulk gun of the sort one would use to squirt silicone sealant around the edge of a bathtub, advises her that it is hazardous to her health, and that she should try his dick. It wasn't terrible, I guess, but I didn't think it was very good either. The woman in the clip was not the woman in the spin advert.

I am not sure how producing material of this sort qualifies ms Angel to be a sex columnist? Unless the only questions they will be fielding will be from workers in the adult industry?

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Saturday, 1 April 2006 15:09 (7 years ago) Permalink

ewww.. looks like something else is circling the drain.

― Chex Dwarf (sanskrit), Saturday, 1 April 2006 15:13 (7 years ago) Permalink

Okay, Nu-Spin is trying to jump on the alt-porn/Suicide Girls thing, I can understand the thinking there. The thing that throws me is that woman being described as "curvy." I'm hoping that's just a lazy copy writer's generic way of signifying a sexy woman, or that's really warped.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Saturday, 1 April 2006 15:17 (7 years ago) Permalink

Tut tut Pash, once you bragged of having none of that kinda stuff, now you jump at every chance to see it. I blame the (incredibly crappy) 9 Songs.

― Raw Patrick (Raw Patrick), Saturday, 1 April 2006 18:15 (7 years ago) Permalink

Spin should just merge with Fuse and call the magazine Boob Fusion. Sales would be thru the roof!

― scott seward (scott seward), Saturday, 1 April 2006 18:19 (7 years ago) Permalink

Patrick you found out my mucky secret, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club turned me into a raging perv :|

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Saturday, 1 April 2006 19:25 (7 years ago) Permalink

They should get Pashmina to do a sex advice column.

― Eppy (Eppy), Saturday, 1 April 2006 20:05 (7 years ago) Permalink

dear ms angel,

i met this girl on ilm and at first the sex was really great but now she thinks the first side of forever changes is better than the second wtf.

please help,
c/d my girlfriend

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Saturday, 1 April 2006 20:32 (7 years ago) Permalink

visible boobs = curvy these days, I think. Blame Paris Hilton and Mischa Barton, etc..

― Big Willy and the Twins (miloaukerman), Saturday, 1 April 2006 21:59 (7 years ago) Permalink

SPIN Magazine: Teaching America to not just accept upcoming global famine, but enjoy as well.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Saturday, 1 April 2006 22:06 (7 years ago) Permalink

scott, please cross over and become an editor somewheres...

― Beta (abeta), Saturday, 1 April 2006 22:38 (7 years ago) Permalink

Pashmina's description is hilarious but I suspect the actual videos leave a lot to be desired.

― more alt.humor, less alt.porn (mike h.), Sunday, 2 April 2006 01:49 (7 years ago) Permalink

That Chinese Democracy review is great. I love Klosterman's music writing. Jon Dolan's Katrina piece was my favorite thing in there for years.

Both of them are out of the new Spin, though, or so I hear...

― Pete Scholtes (Pete Scholtes), Sunday, 2 April 2006 02:08 (7 years ago) Permalink

there are exactly two folks from the edit staff left…i would imagine that their hatred for the new EIC is fairly volcanic…

― veronica moser (veronica moser), Sunday, 2 April 2006 14:18 (7 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

the new, fully Pemberton-ized Spin is out. look at in the store, and marvel at how laughably similar it is to Blender.

― veronica moser (veronica moser), Monday, 8 May 2006 00:50 (7 years ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...

It finally arrived at my house and honestly, I simply cannot believe it is this bad.

The sectional breakdown, so you never have to waste your money on this:

COVER: Dismal layout/design, pathetically cloying typeface, a thudding dumbing-down that simply could not have been imagined. Gag on this: "America's 101 Wildest Parties!" At least the new tagline is mediocre; it could have been outright bad.

MASTHEAD: Pemberton's name makes me anxious. Having Charles Aaron as music editor makes me feel like I'm 40.

FOB - SPIN OUT: awful, 2nd-rate VICE photo gag featuring the absolute worst NYC nightlife has to offer. I don't want to know these people, let alone read about them or hear their response to the inane question of "If you were a musical instrument, what kind of musical instrument would you be?" Seriously, who the fuck wrote this?

FOB - Editor's letter: Embarassingly unfunny. Predictably poorly written. Wow.

FOB - "The Download 20": ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

FOB - "Barometer": worst lead-off FOB article in a music mag, like, ever. This is how you introduce "music for life"? The second article is actualyl even LESS FUCKING RELEVANT; why is there an article on French rioters?

FOB - "The Joy of Text": this appears to be an unclever idea for a column...Ariane Marder (WTF?) interviews people by text messaging.

FOB - More "Barometer" featuring one of those really, really interesting updates on Pete Doherty. Somebody wake up the fucking editor there and tell them that there are at least 10,000 junkies more interesting than this guy, and probably several hundred who sell more records.'

FOB - "SPIN Looks": This is another VICE-ly stab at relevance where they take a picture of some fame-seeker in New York and then ask a bunch of fashion related questions. Not only dumb, but poorly executed. Several pages later, we have "My Brilliant Career", which is sort of the same thing except they have some editorial assistant's friend who doesn't even work in the music business playing "ten questions." Oh, and then to show how much Pemberton doesn't get it, he repeats the "SPIN Looks" sidebar a couple of pages later with someone who is even more uninteresting than the first.

FOB - "The Brain" : In yet another idea repurposed from Blender, Charles Aaron "answers your ticklish questions" about music. What's with everyone in the mag with even a partial column getting their picture by the header. I'm a fan of Aaron but dude seriously looks like he's got a physics class to teach. Nearby "The Brain" we have one of those advertorials called "SPIN Genius Thing", which tells us how great the $350 Pentax camera is.

FOB - "Send Me An Angel": Here we have the slut column. Words fail me.

Interview - LL COOL J: He was the coolest rapper when I was in high school. In 1986. The "buying guide" sidebar is handy, if pretty much ubiquitous (thanks to Pemberton's alma mater.)

Summer Concert Preview - Kind of better than I thought it might be, but it's nothing new to the magazine.

Feature - Kelis: Is she really going to be hot this year or yet another one-hit wonder?

Feature - "Welcome To Ghost Town": thousands of words on...Chernobyl?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Have these people lost their fucking minds?????????

Feature - Eddie Vedder: a decent Q&A, although since he's hitting all the major mags it's sort of seems...dated already. Hopefully they've got a Nirvana interview to run next month as a follow-up.

Feature - Parker Posey's picture scrapbook: kind of a good idea, although Posey seems like one of those celebs that only New Yorkers are in love with. That, and I kept wondering where the pics of Ryan Adams were.

Feature - Jack White and his backing band: Is this guy blowing someone at SPIN? Because they are on his jock like white on rice.

Reviews - now called "In & Out": The thing that happens when you slice reviews down to 100 or so words is that you pretty much make them stylishly indistinguishable. In other words, there's no need for bylines since every writer sounds exactly the same. Or, in this case, every review reads like it was lifted from Blender. The section is totally without personality. Same with the video reviews. Congrats, SPIN. You've really cooked this goose well.

BOB - "SPIN Out": Distressingly titled, but simply the absolute worst waste of copy space I've ever seen in a glossy. Ever. Worse than any events listing in any alterna-weekly. And as if listing over a hundred bar nights in a ploy to raise ad revenues wasn't bad enough, SPIN brings back the dingbat known as Ultragrrl as a feature events writer. There are SIX FULL PAGES OF THIS WITH NO ADS TO BREAK ANYTHING UP. It's worthless, unimaginative, and ugly in a way that I am stunned any graphic designer could tolerate.

BOB - "Navigator": Cribbed from CMJ Monthly, this is a city guide. CMJ did this much better. Terribly ugly to look at, so bad that you will never read one entry.

Backpage - "25 Questions For Bill Maher": The biggest question of course is, "Who gives a shit about Bill Maher?"

Admittedly, I had low expectations but this issue floored me. The design alone is so pathetic, so lifeless. The editorial direction has absolutely no focus and the execution is what I might expect from Parade magazine; I'd credit part of this to a new editor but there is no promise anywhere. Blender is ten times better than this.

― don weiner (don weiner), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 00:59 (7 years ago) Permalink

I finally finished reading this. It didn't get better with perusal.

― don weiner (don weiner), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 23:07 (7 years ago) Permalink

You're only making me want to buy a copy, if only to marvel at the trainwreck of it all.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 23:11 (7 years ago) Permalink

I looked at it in the Birmingham, Alabama airport yesterday and I was a bit shocked at how short reviews are now in print media. Were they always that short? They must be under a lot of pressure.

― Drew Daniel (Drew Daniel), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 23:29 (7 years ago) Permalink

Blender's reviews have way more character than the blurbs running in Spin now

― Thomas Tallis (Tommy), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 00:19 (6 years ago) Permalink

"Navigator": Cribbed from CMJ Monthly, this is a city guide. CMJ did this much better. Terribly ugly to look at, so bad that you will never read one entry.

These things were such a fucking pain in the ass to put together! They can have them!

― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 00:47 (6 years ago) Permalink

"The Joy of Text": this appears to be an unclever idea for a column...Ariane Marder (WTF?) interviews people by text messaging.

Also, I don't know who this person is, but that's a totally fucking genius idea for an front-of-book feature.

― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 00:49 (6 years ago) Permalink

i couldn't really believe how much it looks like blender when i was flipping through it in borders this weekend. even the fonts!

― goonie goonie moony juney purple spoonie killa noonie (dubplatestyle), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 00:49 (6 years ago) Permalink

http://gawker.com/news/media/weekend-pinkslipping-andy-pemberton-keith-blanchard-022004.php

Look under UPDATE

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Thursday, 1 June 2006 17:46 (6 years ago) Permalink

RETRACT. That's an older post about Blender. Duh.

http://www.gawker.com/news/spin/andy-pemberton-nearly-sacked-again-177681.php is the one I meant to post.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Thursday, 1 June 2006 17:48 (6 years ago) Permalink

I don't know how anyone could look at that abortion from last month and thought he'd earned his paycheck.

― don weiner (don weiner), Friday, 2 June 2006 00:36 (6 years ago) Permalink

this pleases me very much…

― veronica moser (veronica moser), Friday, 2 June 2006 01:39 (6 years ago) Permalink

haha conversation from last weekend: "what happened to Spin and everything... I mean it just confirms that every magazine will eventually become Playboy"

response: "BUT PLAYBOY IS GOOD!!!!!!"

― Tracey Hand (tracerhand), Friday, 2 June 2006 01:47 (6 years ago) Permalink

hmm…from WWD…

SPINNING HIS WHEELS: Did Andy Pemberton get stuck in the revolving door? WWD reported Thursday that Pemberton, editor in chief of Spin since February, was expected to depart the title shortly, and by Thursday evening two media news Web sites were claiming his exit was a fait accompli after Pemberton sent an e-mail to Spin staffers letting them know where he could be reached. But Pemberton, reached on his cell, said there had been no change in his status. “I certainly haven’t left Spin,” he said, claiming the e-mail was merely intended to let underlings know he’d be spending today at the beach. OK, then — did he expect he’d still be at the magazine next week? “All I can say is as of now I’m still at Spin."

― veronica moser (veronica moser), Friday, 2 June 2006 12:55 (6 years ago) Permalink

3 weeks pass...

Ding dong the witch is dead.

― don weiner (don weiner), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:09 (6 years ago) Permalink

"finally"

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:12 (6 years ago) Permalink

that was four days ago! i demand new drain-circling news

― marc h. (marc h.), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:13 (6 years ago) Permalink

I can't remember the last time I bought an issue of SPIN.

I can. It was a deep red cover with a picture of Flea jumping in the air with a flourescent green mohawk in the "Mother's Milk" era. I was in 9th grade and, actually, my girlfriend gave it to me. So, I guess I didn't even buy it.

― Avid Spin Reader (Uri Frendimein), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:16 (6 years ago) Permalink

Pemberton ! OUT

Chuck Eddy IN ?

Is Chuck the only person that can save SPIN?

What about this as a "dream team" CHUCK & GEETA as a new management editor duo at Spin ?

Chuck ensuring METAL/ Rock coverage, GEETA ensuring the best ELECTRONIC coverage

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:17 (6 years ago) Permalink

I would love to see that happen, assuming/hoping Chuck and Geeta would also love to see that happen.

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:19 (6 years ago) Permalink

The Martian scripts need better output formatting.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:21 (6 years ago) Permalink

they should fire ultragrrl and then dedicate a column monthly to speculating if she'll became bloated or skeletal.

― Werner Herzog Netflix Quine (ex machina), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:22 (6 years ago) Permalink

I was really quite shocked when I saw the new issue, with Beyoncé and "The 25 hottest stars under 25!" on the cover. I mean, is this YM? Teen People? (Answer: no. YM and Teen People have higher editorial standards.)

― Thomas Inskeep (submeat), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:23 (6 years ago) Permalink

Doug Brod, Spin's executive editor, is the acting editor in chief.

Pemberton Exits Spin
http://tinyurl.com/lybuz
"A replacement has not yet been named."

Well it's time to pitch a new strategy / concept for SPIN?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:24 (6 years ago) Permalink

Since I love Chuck and Geeta, I wouldn't wish on them the burden of trying to conjure up new flesh for Spin's bleached white skeleton.

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Monday, 26 June 2006 15:25 (6 years ago) Permalink

i got the new issue at an airport recently, and was shocked to see beyonce on the cover. but what was MORE shocking were that those punks "the misshapes" were hawking eastport bags and the bitch of the crew was number 23 "coolest people under 25 thingy" they were doing

WTF?

their coolest parties section and last night parties picture seciton is really just plain awful

― kevin barking (arghargh), Monday, 26 June 2006 16:18 (6 years ago) Permalink

4 years pass...

Spin (online, I hope) conflates Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein:

CORIN TUCKER
Dates: October 7-29
Price:$16
Opening Acts: Golden Bears, Hungry Ghost
Why You Should Go: SPIN named Sleater-Kinney's 1997 release Dig Me Out one of the 125 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years—and it's not like all that talent just evaporated since the trio went on hiatus in 2006. The Portland, OR-based singer-guitarist—who has been moonlighting as an actor (she starred alongside the Shins' James Mercer in 2009's Some Days Are Better Than Others), comedienne (she performs with SNL's Fred Armisen as ThunderAnt), and blogger (for NPR's Monitor Mix)—will debut songs off her debut solo album, 1,000 Years (out October 5), which she has called her "middle-aged mom record." Yeah... if by "mom" you mean one of music's fiercest feminists and guitar goddesses who happens to have two kids.

http://www.spin.com/gallery/preview-25-best-fall-tours?page=15#main

― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 1 September 2010 19:38 (2 years ago) Permalink

chicks, man

― maura, Wednesday, 1 September 2010 20:07 (2 years ago) Permalink

that clause has been taken out btw

― maura, Wednesday, 1 September 2010 20:12 (2 years ago) Permalink

lol

― markers, Wednesday, 1 September 2010 20:26 (2 years ago) Permalink

In the old days it would have been in print, and Kathleen Hanna would have set fire to a copy on stage. I miss the old days.

― dlp9001, Wednesday, 1 September 2010 23:07 (2 years ago) Permalink

In the old days there's no way it would have made it to print, because five editors would have looked it over before it reached the printers.

― slow a cat sample down 800 percent (Matos W.K.), Wednesday, 1 September 2010 23:09 (2 years ago) Permalink

in the old days they would have gone 'wtf is a blogger?' and waited way too long to establish any kind of web presence by which point it was too late and some schmuck in chicago could run circles around them.

― balls, Thursday, 2 September 2010 01:32 (2 years ago) Permalink

Oh no, according to google the Bikini Kill/Magazine Burning thing has vanished from history completely. How sad.

― dlp9001, Thursday, 2 September 2010 02:43 (2 years ago) Permalink

I want to say March 5, 2002. Stupid internet.

― dlp9001, Thursday, 2 September 2010 02:46 (2 years ago) Permalink

I mean 1992. Duh.

― dlp9001, Thursday, 2 September 2010 02:47 (2 years ago) Permalink

Touche!

― slow a cat sample down 800 percent (Matos W.K.), Thursday, 2 September 2010 04:34 (2 years ago) Permalink

I hate these reviews where the writer presumes the audience is some fifty year old ignoramus. Like some fat suburban guy is going to get off his butt to see Corin Tucker.

I have nothing against feminism but this preview tells me nothing about the music. I don't go to a show to get a political lecture.

― i just like barbecue rib, whatever (u s steel), Thursday, 2 September 2010 07:15 (2 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/spin-magazine-going-bimonthly-135459

― markers, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 18:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

Yeah, I quit buying this a long time ago, but recently subscribed to it via my Nook because of a deal for 50 cents an issue. But, tbh, after the awful Skrillex cover this week, its not even worth the 13 seconds to download anymore.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

this could be cool

― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'm not sure if SPIN will ever have much if any presence on the web tho

― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

"if any"? They do have a fairly frequently updated site now, but its a nightmare because of all the damn click-through listicle shit.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

SPIN has done a horrible job preserving its history. You gotta go to Google Books to read an old story.

― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

sorry, i didn't mean "presence" as in, like, they literally have a web site that is updated. i mean in terms of hits and/or people going "i read this thing on spin.com today..."

― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh yeah, thats totally otm

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

'will ever'? i mean i dont read spin & havent ever really but i dont see what's stopping them from having a web presence

― dangobro (D-40), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

like, just hire ppl that draw traffic. there's no big trick to it

― dangobro (D-40), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

I've never written for Spin, and I can't even remember the last time I read it (10 years ago, maybe?) but this is bad news for a lot of writer friends of mine

― geeta, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

i just started writing for them so i'm sure they'll fold any day now

― the-dream in the witch house (difficult listening hour), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

(that's what happened to blender)

― the-dream in the witch house (difficult listening hour), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

Ha, yeah--I wrote some reviews for Blender, a while back, and forgot to invoice so I could get paid. Then they folded, so I never did get paid for them.

― geeta, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

where are the taxpayer bailouts for print music mags

― the-dream in the witch house (difficult listening hour), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

http://www.theonion.com/articles/failing-us-economy-no-reason-at-all-to-stop-invest,21251/

― dangobro (D-40), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 20:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

like, just hire ppl that draw traffic. there's no big trick to it

― dangobro (D-40), Wednesday, October 5, 2011 3:38 PM (58 minutes ago) Bookmark

lol -- carles already works for grantland

― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 20:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

the idea of having 'the right traffic-attracting writers' to keep a mag/site afloat is kind of laughable tbh

― nəverDirty (some dude), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 21:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah it is -- it was mostly about getting there first, and SPIN.com did not get there first or second or third or fourth or fifth etc IMO

― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 21:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

??? im not talking about people attracting readers by name recognition (although the Atlantic has proved that is a viable model at some level) but hiring people who ... know how to draw traffic. I mean, there are websites that do this. You don't have to 'be there first'!

― dangobro (D-40), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

obviously who's writing and what they're writing about is important, but i kinda feel like a site has to do a bunch of other things right in order for that writing to actually generate traffic, and Spin pretty much did all of those things wrong, so the quality of the writing barely enters into it

― nəverDirty (some dude), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

i mean sure, you can do something like firing the whole idolator staff and hiring some SEO robots, but i'm not sure if that's what SPIN is aiming for w/ their website

altho maybe it is idk -- if so, good luck to them

― yung huma (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

its not an either/or thing

― dangobro (D-40), Thursday, 6 October 2011 01:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

1000TimesYes 11:39am via Web As of today, I'm the new Senior Editor at @SPINmagazine. Big shit poppin, little shit stoppin: bit.ly/oaEFMc
2 retweets

― tylerw, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 17:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

ILX FEATURES NOW

― the tax avocado (DJP), Tuesday, 11 October 2011 17:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

congrats! now give me work haha

― geeta, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 17:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

beatles features now

― rustic italian flatbread, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 17:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

beatles features now

― rustic italian flatbread, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 17:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

Caryn Ganz will replace online editor Mark Bautz, who is leaving the company.
Ganz, who has worked at Rollingstone.com and Yahoo, is joined by two other new hires, senior editor Christopher Weingarten and associate editor David Bevan. They’ll work on print and online, supporting Spin’s digital emphasis, said editorial director Charles Aaron.
“With the magazine going bimonthly,” Aaron said, “the website has to be of the same caliber and depth of the magazine. I think we’ve struggled with that in the past

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/spin-replaces-online-editor-135710

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 18:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

Charles Aaron's still there? Wow!

― da croupier, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 18:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

He's been writing for them since at least 1994.

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 18:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

congrats chris! i'm sure spin won't be circling the drain as long as our boy is drowning the competition

― some dude, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

Whiny, you're in charge of ladling soup at the ILX Rock Critics homeless shelter.

― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

congrats whiney! \(^o^)/ \(^o^)/

― markers, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol @ al

― The boyboy young jess (D-40), Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

congrats whiney! \(^o^)/ \(^o^)/

― markers, Tuesday, October 11, 2011 2:42 PM Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

lol @ al

― The boyboy young jess (D-40), Tuesday, October 11, 2011 2:45 PM Bookmark

― turfin' bird (The Reverend), Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

is there gonna be a regular Whiney rant feature?

― sarahel, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

its called ilm

― Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 22:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

In the next SPIN: "Who The Fuck Are These 'Beatles,' Anyway?"

― Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan M. (Phil D.), Tuesday, 11 October 2011 22:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

there needs to be a DR WHINEY PHD CULTURAL STUDY in each issue

― sarahel, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 22:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

congrats 2 the big whinester

― the 500 gats of bartholomew thuggins (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Tuesday, 11 October 2011 22:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

may u live 2 see the dawn

― da croupier, Tuesday, 11 October 2011 22:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

there needs to be a DR WHINEY PHD CULTURAL STUDY in each issue

^^^

― pathos of the unwarranted encore (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Tuesday, 11 October 2011 22:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

grats whiney

― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Tuesday, 11 October 2011 22:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

Congratulations Whiney.

― Science, you guys. Science. (DL), Wednesday, 12 October 2011 11:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

Thanks guys :D

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 17:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

I looked upthread and totally forgot to say congrats

CONGRATS

― the tax avocado (DJP), Wednesday, 12 October 2011 17:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

Break a leg!

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 17:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

Can you afford to move out to the suburbs now?

― rustic italian flatbread, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 18:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

whoa congrats dude!

― wrestlingisreal420 (crüt), Wednesday, 12 October 2011 21:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

congrats whiney! i will totally start asking my local news agents why they dont have spin now

― Ravaging Rick Rude (a hoy hoy), Wednesday, 12 October 2011 21:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

also believe that yes we need dr whiney phd in each issue

― Ravaging Rick Rude (a hoy hoy), Wednesday, 12 October 2011 21:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

I dont have time to post on ILX anymore u_u

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 23:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

congratulations!

― estela, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 23:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

i know estela's post probably wasn't a mean zing but it's really really funny to read it that way

― some dude, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 23:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

spin succeeds where ilx mods failed

― Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 23:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

my initial intention was pure but then the resultant ambiguity pleased me.

― estela, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 23:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

congrats & fare thee well WGW

― Lars and the Lulu Girl (NickB), Wednesday, 12 October 2011 23:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

markers needs to post that youtube

― Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 23:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

congrats chris! i'm sure spin won't be circling the drain as long as our boy is drowning the competition

― some dude, Tuesday, October 11, 2011 11:40 AM (Yesterday)

looooooool

― ⚓ (gr8080), Thursday, 13 October 2011 00:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

2 months pass...

just got a call about my spin subscription offering me a rebate for a resubscription "since they have been losing readers, because of the internet"

― we bought a zoo in a hopeless place (some dude), Friday, 6 January 2012 21:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

killer marketing campaign angle there

― The Silent Extreme (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 6 January 2012 21:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

Spin Van Winkle.

― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 6 January 2012 21:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

Winkly G. Spingarten

― I certainly wouldn't have, but hey. (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 6 January 2012 21:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

last time i had a subscription to Spin i was in high school, ultragrrrl, klosterman, andy greenwald, sia michel were the crew.

― Mordy, Friday, 6 January 2012 21:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

can we make whiney write a column as 'ultracrrrmudgeon'?

― we bought a zoo in a hopeless place (some dude), Friday, 6 January 2012 22:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

last time i had a subscription to Spin i was in high school, ultragrrrl, klosterman, andy greenwald, sia michel were the crew.

― Mordy, Friday, January 6, 2012 10:57 PM (6 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

^^ reads like my kind of mag. Although Saecco, Vanzetti, Passantino and Winegarten sounds even better.

― I certainly wouldn't have, but hey. (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 6 January 2012 22:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

SPIN's been mailed to my mom's house for free since prolly 3 years ago. No one knows why.

― billstevejim, Monday, 9 January 2012 18:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

My mom's house has been getting Complex for similarly mysterious reasons for about the same amount of time. Are these magazines related?

Sometimes my mom visits my house and shows up with a paper bag, and that's when I know that I'm getting a stack of these:

― beachville, Monday, 9 January 2012 18:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

― beachville, Monday, 9 January 2012 18:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

^^ reads like my kind of mag. Although Saecco, Vanzetti, Passantino and Winegarten sounds even better.

― I certainly wouldn't have, but hey. (Le Bateau Ivre), Friday, 6 January 2012 22:05 (3 days ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

wait has whiney hired dom?

― unattractive on the g side (a hoy hoy), Monday, 9 January 2012 18:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

hee hee, i got complex in the mail for free for about four years. i think it's stopped now. but i always wanted to tell my postman: "i don't really read this mag, seriously! don't judge!"

― tylerw, Monday, 9 January 2012 18:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

a friend of mine gets three free subscriptions of time out ny

― lag∞n, Monday, 9 January 2012 18:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

complex smells gross

― sarahel, Monday, 9 January 2012 18:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

zooey d smells gross

― billstevejim, Monday, 9 January 2012 19:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

you have a free subscription to zooey d?

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Monday, 9 January 2012 19:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'll forward it to your address

― billstevejim, Monday, 9 January 2012 19:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

zooey's last breath, circling the drain

― buzza, Monday, 9 January 2012 19:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

Is Ultragrrrl doing anything of note these days?

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Monday, 9 January 2012 19:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

complex's content exists almost entirely online. the magazine itself usually seems to have pretty bare bones content

― somebody call the brinks truck (D-40), Monday, 9 January 2012 21:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

everything seems bare about it judging by the covers

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Monday, 9 January 2012 22:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

do you think when they are blocking out the cover design for guy magazines they have placeholders that are just like [SOMETHING PENILE]

― quick brown fox triangle (schlump), Monday, 9 January 2012 22:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

are even the eyes actually Katy Perry's in that "Katy Perry" photo?

― Θ ̨Θƪ (sic), Monday, 9 January 2012 22:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

Who's looking at her eyes?

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 10 January 2012 00:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

ultragrrrl is doing those crappy VH1 countdown/best-of shows last I checked

― Blah Sabbath (Drugs A. Money), Tuesday, 10 January 2012 00:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

last heard about her when she was getting joan of arced on village voice's cover

― omar little, Tuesday, 10 January 2012 01:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

rip 2006

― markers, Tuesday, 10 January 2012 01:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

I see Whiney has put his foot down

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 18:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

― 40 yoevoo (Eazy), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 18:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

Magazines Killed The Twitter Star

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 18:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

As long as it's an augmentation rather than a replacement, then yeah, I don't see what's wrong with that. Though I like incredibly negative reviews as well as incredibly positive ones.

― emil.y, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

140 words? That's a novel. These guys do it in almost half the number of words.

― Jazzbo, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

Um, tweets are 140 *characters*, not words.

― emil.y, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

"character" is a word, emil.y, get it together.

― some dude, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

Ah, a mere Tweet. My bad.

― Jazzbo, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

It is an agumentation, they say they will still do 20 long form reviews a month on the website, but that seems like a hugely reduced number from what their print mag was hitting per month before they went to bimonthly. I don't know, I love Whiney and I enjoyed his original project and I know this is inevitable, but I find this turn depressing as fuck. I like to read well thought-out longform criticism. I also know that will still exist other places, just disappointed that this is a step in the wrong direction.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

i guess i have no idea what anyone here means by "longform" but spin certainly wasn't publishing any long form criticism in its magazine

― tyga mother (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

Well, thats true, but still.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

I just pulled the "longform" quote from Whiney's release. Problem is that I don't see many people to be as creative and clever with tweet reviews as Whiney was.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

honestly i think that pulling out 20 of the most important records a month for "longform review" treatment (that is a lot of records, btw) while just lumping everything else into a grab bag of bite sized blurbs makes as much sense as one 500 word review and twenty 80 word blurbs

― tyga mother (J0rdan S.), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

Like I said, it was inevitable, but I'd still rather read those 80 word blurbs than 140 characters. Minor point, but keep in mind these 140 characters will need to convey artist and title, those 80 word blurbs were at least free of that limitation.

I know I'm getting old man yells at clouds here, but I really hate this massive rush to abbreviate our exposure to culture.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

Love that line about "under-covered genres" like hip-hop, metal and chart pop.

― 誤訳侮辱, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

BY SPIN was i think the implication there

― some dude, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 19:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

But, lets also remember that cokemachineglow proves that longer reviews are by no means inherently better.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 20:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol

― some dude, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 20:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

It just makes it feel like Spin in running on fumes in the ideas department. Like, that's the best thing you could come up with? An idea that's already been done, was fun for five minutes in 2009, but is well past its sell-by date at this point?

― Position Position, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 20:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

you don't spend a lot of time around here do you

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 20:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

It will give Whiney more time to complain about hipsters on ilx.

― Nicole, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 20:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

Makes me feel like Position Position was running on fumes in the criticism department.

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

Fart fumes.

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol

― Sh1pley Gohard (D-40), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

anything that makes people mention/talk about/think about spin magazine can only be a good thing. at this late date.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

I didn't know whiney even had a job tbh

― locally sourced stabbage (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

if it were possible to discuss this decision without Whiney getting super-aggro, it's an interesting and "important" decision with much to say about it, but lol at anybody who thinks Whiney didn't go into this with an "oh boy, lemme scrap with some people about this, I love to argue" attitude

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 23:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

I have the impression Whiney does everything with that attitude - ordering coffee, picking out socks, changing the channel on the TV

― locally sourced stabbage (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 January 2012 23:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

it's an interesting and "important" decision with much to say about it

i will be very surprised if anyone is thinking about this feed by 01/13.

(bc the mayans will have destroyed the world)

― Mordy, Wednesday, 11 January 2012 23:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

this is a weird/sad concession to the fact that cultural discourse has become largely truncated and economically worthless... is that what's interesting about it?

― locally sourced stabbage (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

isnt the trade-off that there will now be actual long-form criticism in spin? (am i reading this right?) seems like a net positive

― Sh1pley Gohard (D-40), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

its sort of a switcheroo, people think that they're taking a step towards twitter but really they're taking a step towards critical essays

― Sh1pley Gohard (D-40), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

Bring back Joshua Clover!

― polyphonic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

I wish magazines had much larger reviews sections. More music is made than ever and I'd quite like to read about some of it. I hate the NME style of a couple of reviews over 2 pages with most of the page taken up by a photo.

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

wait the NME is still being printed

― locally sourced stabbage (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

yup

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

i guess selling 20,000 copies a week will still make more money than being the uk's answer to pitchfork

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

its sort of a switcheroo, people think that they're taking a step towards twitter but really they're taking a step towards critical essays

if that were true, it would be a decision of remarkable courage, but here's what looks to be the case; first

Thankfully, this new plan also means no more overwrought 80-word blurbs on middling, nobody-cares bands where a grade of "6" or a "7" ultimately translates to "Hey, this exists; and it doesn't totally blow!"

this is otm. Review space in Spin and elsewhere is now so trimmed, and the per-review word count so short, that there's really no point in the reviews at all. Like, no point. They're only there because music magazines, historically, have had record reviews. But this (emphasis added):

We will still be posting about 20 longform reviews a month on SPIN.com. The very best records of the year will be given special consideration and placement, notated by the tag "SPIN Essentials." You can read our first Essential review, a celebration of Guided By Voices' triumphant return, Let's Go Eat The Factory, written by SPIN magazine's editor-in-chief Steve Kandell.

links to a 700-word piece, only "long form" by the most easily-distracted reader. I mean - the decision is half-right; there's no point in running 100-word reviews. Anything under 500 words is kind of a joke, in terms of actually offering critical insight; I'm more likely to buy and read Spin if it doesn't have a "here's where the reviews go, these aren't really reviews though" section. Tweets are fun to read & are a great exercise in concision, but the idea that they're of actual critical value (or that, since the object of criticism can be easily heard by the reader, the function of criticism is somehow diminished) is dubious, to put it mildly.

But more than anything, and this I think is healthy and good, this seems like a decision by the new editor to do something restoring a little vitality to the magazine. The actual idea, I think, is full of holes, and the editor couldn't really defend it without resorting to a lot of questionable assumptions - about readers, about how things got to where they are, about what might be done about that. But as a gesture, it indicates a willingness to think big, to get attention, which like...I don't like that you gotta do things that get attention, it makes me sad, but you do, and so you should at least do things that get attention that open up some discussion because that's a net good. So, good decision, stupid rationale, kinda, is my take

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

To me it sounds like 1500 opportunities per year to drive traffic to the website and that's about it.

― polyphonic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

My friend's band recently got a 6 or a 7 in Spin and was super thrilled about it. I doubt he would've been as pumped to add a tweet to his press kit.

― polyphonic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

No, polyphonic, I think you're wrong about that; I think the editor has passionate opinions about music coverage, I don't think we have any evidence that his general curmudgeonliness is actually cynicism.

x-post

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

I think actually that tweets attributable to Spin will be just as good as # ratings from the magazine as far as the press kit goes. And honestly as a guy who has hated numerical ratings systems since he was a kid I'd be pretty happy to see them dispensed with by @SPINreviews.

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't think we have any evidence that his general curmudgeonliness is actually cynicism.

I definitely don't think Whiney is cynical about the music he cares about, and I'm sure lots of bands that wouldn't normally be highlighted by Spin will appear for the first time via the tweets, but I don't think Twitter reviews are very effective. I didn't care for Whiney's 1000 or @Discographies or any similar projects. Might as well just link to a YouTube at that point.

― polyphonic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

eh numbers are the only thing that make one sentence reviews a 'viable form of criticism'

― iatee, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

I would prefer the SF Chronicle rating system tbh

― polyphonic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't know - I thought 1000timesyes occasionally achieved a sort of condensed ideal. (I totally love @discographies.) The first several @SPINreviews are up, though, and the shortcomings are pretty immediately clear - a lot of things (Ladysmith Black Mambazo, for example) can't really be usefully reviewed without first placing them in a context. Sure: readers can Google to get the context, but the critical value of the tweet review is nil. Plus, most businesses want favorites & retweets bad, so the probable tendency will be toward zingy lines and colorful similes. This, like I need to say it, is neither a service to music nor criticism.

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

isnt the trade-off that there will now be actual long-form criticism in spin? (am i reading this right?) seems like a net positive
― Sh1pley Gohard (D-40), Wednesday, January 11, 2012 7:09 PM (41 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

^^^^^^

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO/And Friends: Two disks of South African a cappella suggest you CAN have too many friends, e.g., Josh Groban. #RG#6

good zing, but needs a simile. #PP#5

― polyphonic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

can i somehow add this twitter to my rss feed? only possible way i'll actually read it

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

soon

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

is this a cost cutting measure in the long-term?

― iatee, Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

good zing, but needs a simile. #PP#5

I don't know, I dislike that one on so many grounds. "This is South African a cappella lol who doesn't hate Josh Groban" - you sort of want to know: what else does the writer know about African music? About the group? as I say, given the state of Spin reviews in recent years, it's not much of a loss, but that particular tweet sort of suggests that the feed's platonic ideal of reviewing is handing somebody a record in a genre about which he knows nothing and asking him to say something clever. Which is like...why bother at all, you know? It's a drag; it's like an attempt at the last line of a good Xgau dismissal without the important groundwork that goes into that last line

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

esp since no one is going to listen to that album for the groban song. paul simon, tho!

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

(The thing about the long-form claim is: this is where that claim is made:

Obviously, we wouldn't want to do this to the complete exclusion of longform music criticism, a viable and under-appreciated medium in any year. We will still be posting about 20 longform reviews a month on SPIN.com.

The pretty clear implication of the one sentence following on the next is "longform criticism will now be on the website" - you'd have to detain & torture the paragraph to make it read otherwise - and as I say, the link demonstrating this is to a 700-word review of GBV, which isn't really "longform" - until 2001 free weekly reviews pushed 750 words routinely.)

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

Richard Gehr has been writing about african music forever, dude

Also, I hate to tell you this, but it's not 2001 anymore

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

Like the Village Voice doesn't even run record reviews of any size any more, so I think having a budget for what is becoming an outdated medium is pretty swell.

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

Also, I hate to tell you this, but it's not 2001 anymore

^^^exactly why there's no point attempting to discuss this in a room where Whiney's present

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

dude, you're being snarky too!

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

you said "until 2001 free weekly reviews pushed 750 words routinely" and I'm just saying, yes, the climate has changed and we're trying to bring some of this back in what little way we can

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

by helping destroy it?

― iatee, Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

dude, you're being snarky too!

I'm not, really - I'm trying to discuss what I feel is an important decision, and an interesting one, as I said from the outset; prior to that post, which amounts to a throwing-up of the hands on my part, I'd been posting rather long thoughts airing out what I think's in play. I can dig that in your shoes you're probably already very defensive here, but I also know from having posted on the same board as you for what ten years that there is no way you're going to be able to have a discussion about this without zinging constantly, and when there's something actually interesting to be discussed, either the participants have to agree to talk like grownups or there's no point in having the discussion at all. That this preference for/love of snark & drama informs your stylistic preferences here rather more than high concerns about what the age calls for, what's "pertinent," etc, seems self-evident to me, but again, that'd require some unpacking

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

The only point of the 2001 reference was that what constitutes a long form piece didn't change just because publications no longer allot decent space to reviews. 1000 words isn't "long form" - 1500 would really be the absolute minimum in my mind, and that's really being generous. A long piece takes up ten or more printed pages. The goalposts really haven't moved in that respect.

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

Some of them are going to be 1500

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

I think it will really depend on what the 20 long reviews per month actually are. I'd be thrilled to read a 1500-word review by Richard Gehr on African music in Spin, but I worry that what will actually happen is that the stuff that doesn't drive advertising will largely be left to Twitter, and no amount of expertise that Richard has can be conveyed there, as the LBM tweet shows quite clearly.

― polyphonic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

Yeah man look - I get what you're up against, in many ways editing a music magazine is like being a politician: you elect to settle for doing what good you can, maybe get people to think about things that are important to you & that you think are in some way important to have out there in the general discourse. And while the opening salvo talks about the last days of the music industry, it's no secret that magazines have suffered a similar fate as recording artists have, and getting people to buy magazine, like getting people to buy records, at all is a fucking chore - if it weren't for airport newsstands a magazine-lover like me would be pretty fucked. I think this is a pretty ballsy choice to make, and I'm keenly interested in how the magazine reads in the absence of reviews; I'm into finding out about that. But as I say, I think a lot of the rationale expressed is kinda bogus & involves some uninterrogated assumptions about the causes of shortened review sections (which we all know was "either we allot more space for ads or we're dead" industry-wide), etc

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

I mean obviously if we had zillions of dollars in a flush advertising climate we're run pages of reviews out the ass; but even if we did it would sort of feel like a vanity project to some extent just because I think THE RECORD REVIEW means something totally different now than it did in 1976 or 1996 or even 2006. I remember in the 90s when people would talk about record reviews (Anthony and I remember SPIN's lead review on Timbaland's first record very fondly) and honestly the last time someone talked to me about a record review due to what was WRITTEN in it and not the crazy/unlikely/grand score attached was when J0rdan went in on Mac Mille. I think by narrowing the field of reviews, I'm HOPING that people will spend more time with them instead of just glancing at the score and moving on.

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

the 80-word reviews were always especially unsatisfying to me so i'm cool with the idea of just going to the extreme in both directions at once

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

otm

― da croupier, Thursday, 12 January 2012 02:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

I can actually fathom buying spin at the airport again if the review section isn't just a blender barrage.

― da croupier, Thursday, 12 January 2012 02:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

that said shouldn't there be an author-key in the twitter description or at least a link to it?

― da croupier, Thursday, 12 January 2012 02:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

workinonit

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 02:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

the 80-word reviews were always especially unsatisfying to me so i'm cool with the idea of just going to the extreme in both directions at once

― some dude, Wednesday, January 11, 2012 7:33 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

otm

― da croupier, Wednesday, January 11, 2012 8:01 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

bingo

― Sh1pley Gohard (D-40), Thursday, 12 January 2012 03:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

basically

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 03:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

this is a good conversation

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 12 January 2012 04:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

http://necktomace.tumblr.com/post/15715900419/sit-down-spin

― sisilafami, Thursday, 12 January 2012 11:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

That dude--most ppl criticizing it actually--seems to be missing the fact that were still doing long reviews. Even one on the OMG CLOUD NOTHINGS RECORD HE'S LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW (so plugged in, guy)

I will cop to burying that fact in the story tho...

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 13:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

May or may not be of interest that the big quote at the start of that tumblr is from a ranty Everett True blog post:

http://www.collapseboard.com/everett-true/why-music-criticism-still-matters-so-go-fuck-yourselves-spin-magazine/

― Rapper rejoins fat man's co-op (NickB), Thursday, 12 January 2012 13:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

Yeah, I had some words with him about that. Def LOLs at Everett True calling anyone a "tarnished brand."

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 13:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

And then he’d have to find some real work , writing scripts for Family Guy say

he knows you too well

― tumblr white's secret kool-aid drinker (DJ Mencap), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

Of course, none of this matters to Chris, up there in his ivory tower.

― da croupier, Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol what

― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

an ivory tower constructed thanks to the royalties from the Public Enemy book?

― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

criticising someone for writing to make. a. name. for. themselves = irony explosion

― Jamie_ATP, Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

EVERETT TRUE criticising someone for writing to make. a. name. for. themselves

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

someone was definitely on. their. period.

― a$ap rizzley (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

lmfaoooooo @ a$ap rizzley

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

it is kind of s tarnished brand. or maybe that's not the best way to describe it. but that doesn't mean that someone couldn't make it better. should change the name to Spin 2.0. Spin XXXXtreme!

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

Def LOLs at Everett True calling anyone a "tarnished brand."

just sorta gotta point out that this sort of "you're one to talk!" line is transparently a way of not responding to the actual content of the post - I mean the kind of elephant in the room here is don't we assume there've got a be several in-house reasons for this decision that it wouldn't be cricket* to talk about in public? however I gotta say when E.T. puts "so fuck you Spin magazine" in the title of the post it kinda doesn't help matters, that's red meat for the Whineys on the block

*I chose this over "kosher" & several others especially for you man so recognize the love

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

and again we are all talking about spin. so there you go. its a step in the right direction.

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

What is funny to me about the Everett Truie thing is that quite a lot of the reviews in Careless Talk Costs Lives looked just like this:

― Rapper rejoins fat man's co-op (NickB), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

Not going to count the characters there but, um...

― Rapper rejoins fat man's co-op (NickB), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

when was the last time someone here actually bought a physical copy of the magazine? i honestly can't remember the last time i did.

feel bad cuz i always forget that chuck has stuff in it every month! but i forget about it in general. don't even see it anywhere to buy.

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

missed opportunities in short reviews about albums called 'haiku'

― quick brown fox triangle (schlump), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

aero where did you find that high horse

― da croupier, Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

just like walkabouts
country noir only stripped back
songdog co uk

― quick brown fox triangle (schlump), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

i bought a subscription a couple years ago, brought the most recent issue to work w/ me today to read. i posted about my annoying call about resubscribing upthread, though, i'm gonna try to just find it at newsstands in the future.

― a$ap rizzley (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

What is funny to me about the Everett Truie thing is that quite a lot of the reviews in Careless Talk Costs Lives looked just like this:

yeah lol I wrote for them a couple times and the word counts on the reviews were ridiculous - but they had bigger reviews every few pages - pretty ahead of the curve on just the thing he's complaining about

when was the last time someone here actually bought a physical copy of the magazine? i honestly can't remember the last time i did.

to be 100% real it was when they did an aerosmith story

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

i really thought that 9/10 review of Nine Lives was just payback for the interview tbh

― a$ap rizzley (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol getting an interview w/aerosmith is not exactly the impossible dream

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

For all the posturing and bloviating and incorrect sky-is-falling doomsaying that I've seen regarding this move, I'm most curious about two things: 1, how the Spin "authority" will translate to Twitter; and 2, how the Twitter reviews are going to be a self-sustaining business, since from my understanding the reviewers are being compensated. Ads/sponsored tweets? Syndication (and if so, to whom, and why would those syndicatees pick it up)?

― maura, Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

my guess there's just going to be a chunk of budget dedicated to it as a loss leader or part of the mag's general 'be more web savvy' game plan?

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

Not to be all "I worked for Nick Denton and might be a bit traumatized about it still," but loss leaders and web-savviness generally do not go hand-in-hand on balance sheets.

― maura, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

well Gawker is the king of 'there is a direct relationship between how much a piece of writing profits us and how much we pay the writer for it,' wouldn't what i'm describing, if accurate, be the opposite of that?

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

I'm guessing the tweets will form the content for some sort of album review online database and as well as the advertising revenue from that, maybe you could licence that stuff out like a bite-size AMG?

― Rapper rejoins fat man's co-op (NickB), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

^^ not a bad idea if they haven't thought of it already tbh

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

But doesn't that go back to the idea of authority?

― maura, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't know, the idea of where people get their news now is just something I've been puzzling out in my head a lot lately. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if say BuzzFeed (ugh) started a music section (although I get tripped up trying to figure out if they'd ever think it worth their time-slash-money)... would it have a lot of authority/influence? Already the sort of LOL-culture bullshit from the music world that it passes around has a lot more staying power outside the obsessive bubble than even, like, Kreayshawn and her memetic ilk.

― maura, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

I had an offer to get a year of Spin for like $5 but I didn't and I feel kind of bad, because... Whiney and stuff

― mh, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

denying whiney a five dollar footlong, shame on you

― tyga mother (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

haha

― pug waffle (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

for better or worse i do think that brands that have been around since the print media days (spin, xxl, rolling stone, etc.) still have more 'authority' tied up in their names than a lot of places that get way more hits these days, i don't think getting a 8/10 on @spinreviews instead of in the pages of Spin will really stop people from putting that in their press package or referencing it as a signifier of an album's success/acclaim

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

tbf, I think Whiney probably gets less than a nickel per new subscription

― mh, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

But what does that mean outside of the world of people who get one-sheets? Things have become a lot more Darwinistic in this respect, much moreso over the past 18 months I'd say.

― maura, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

But what does that mean outside of the world of people who get one-sheets?

it was never really as important as bands thought it was, though in the early 90s a good Spin superlative could literally open doors that were otherwise shut - I namedropped our first Spin mention to a southern California booker 94 after he'd just told me "no openings for a month" and bingo suddenly a space opened up

people more connected now, you could have three consecutive 10/10s from anyplace and the person being asked to book you would still just look at what your actual draw is on data readily available to him & base his offer on that, not on "these guys must be big & I just haven't heard of them"

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

aerosmith otm, although lately i've been thinking about whether in some ways media/online buzz is becoming MORE important for at least some kinds of artists just because a lot of times people can be a pretty big deal (or at least seem so) w/o having impressive sales figures or even have a single record available through any kind of retailer. like do those acts just book one show, sell it out, and then use those figures to book a whole tour, or are they totally just basing their whole existence off of what sites they've been mentioned on?

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

i think the immediacy would work in an artist's favor. they can re-tweet a positive spin tweet and the whole world will be tweeting about it. it makes sense.

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

Underrated aerosmith spin stories I have bought

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

Hey here's a daft idea for what to do with these tweets (maybe someone already does something like this anyhow, i dunno): having a smartphone app that could read the barcode on the back of CDs and bring up the relevant review. If you were in a record store or somewhere, you probably wouldn't want to read something that was more than 140 characters long anyway.

― Rapper rejoins fat man's co-op (NickB), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

mr. tyler how does it feel to be on the cover of one of spin's infamous 'hiv denier' issues

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

nickb's making me think of that classic jaymc post about the dorks he saw in a record store picking up CDs and recite from memory what their pitchfork rating was

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

WR that issue

― quick brown fox triangle (schlump), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

man SPIN was obsessed with Getting The Facts Straight About AIDS wasn't it

― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

xp that was why I was screaming, I was like "no you guys that's poor science wtf" and the photographer kept spinning out the conspiracy theories and I was like "no no no aaaaaauuuuuughhhh" and then they snapped the pic

true story

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

nickb's making me think of that classic jaymc post about the dorks he saw in a record store picking up CDs and recite from memory what their pitchfork rating was

it is also dumb because who buys CDs anyway right?

― Rapper rejoins fat man's co-op (NickB), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

nickb's making me think of that classic jaymc post about the dorks he saw in a record store picking up CDs and recite from memory what their pitchfork rating was

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:43 (30 seconds ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

p sure these were pfork writers trying to get as close as they could to the "author in a bookstore" moment

― quick brown fox triangle (schlump), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

pretty sure CD stores don't exist anymore???

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

there is one across the street from me! it sucks!

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

Well, online

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

i did buy two CDs there a month ago though. despite my distaste for the place.

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

Really, if they're going to have reviews that short they might as well try to sell the content to a company like Amazon, emusic, or spotify to show in extended album info or in genre/new music roundups.

― mh, Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

that classic jaymc post about the dorks he saw in a record store picking up CDs and recite from memory what their pitchfork rating was

I have no memory of this! Are you sure it was me?

― Bon Ivoj (jaymc), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah maybe it was someone else? thought it was you though, this was probably well over 5 years ago

― something may go drown tonight but it ain't gonna be jobs Weingarten (some dude), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

i have more than one friend who does that. parent-out-with-teenager level of public embarrassment.

― occupy the A train (difficult listening hour), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

Reviews custom printed on coffee mugs, underpants, t-shirts

― Rapper rejoins fat man's co-op (NickB), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

More long form music crit is good, hooray.

The success of 1000TimesYes year of tweet criticisms was rooted in the fun/preposterousness of it, tho, tiny take-downs and tiny celebrations etc. Whiney's one voice. I don't think it will translate to an ecumenical context.

I don't know, the idea of where people get their news now is just something I've been puzzling out in my head a lot lately.

Me too

― gord downer (Ówen P.), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

Facebook probably

― da croupier, Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

This guy, that guy and this girl posted about Coachella.

― da croupier, Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'm facebook friends with lots of people i have written about, and this is a new development for me. i don't know if its a good thing or a bad thing. they seem nice...

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

i mean i don't really worry about journalistic LINES being crossed or whatever, i'm no journalist, but it still seems weird.

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah in a weird way the whole web 2.0 'everyone is accessible' thing puts you face to virtual face with the people you're writing about way more often now. it's helpful if you like doing interviews and stuff, doesn't seem to be a problem too often if you don't.

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

this was probably well over 5 years ago

Oh well, then I suppose it's possible.

― Bon Ivoj (jaymc), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh man I had that Steven Tyler issue - in the HIV/AIDS community that story ref'd on the cover is infamous (and not in a good way)

― locally sourced stabbage (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

sorry I see some dude's already made that point carry on

― locally sourced stabbage (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

was dave grohl in that issue?

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

nah spin was about 10 years ahead of the nate mendel curve on that one

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'm facebook friends with lots of people i have written about, and this is a new development for me. i don't know if its a good thing or a bad thing. they seem nice...

In terms of jazz at least, it's helped me out tremendously - I don't have to try and remember who someone's publicist is when I want an interview, I can just message them and see if they're interested. (Jazz musicians very rarely turn down interview requests, btw.)

― 誤訳侮辱, Thursday, 12 January 2012 17:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah, the people i've written about are in the noise/weird/whatever camp, and most of them are happy to get a mention anywhere. and are genuinely appreciative of kind words. i just don't want to ever censor myself anywhere cuz so and so is friends with this label or that guy...that kind of thing. i've never had to worry about that at all, cuz i never go anywhere and don't know anybody. but now my, uh, circle has expanded.

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 17:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

http://twitter.com/#!/1000TimesYes/status/157527382905978881

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 18:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

the ivory tower quip obv stupid, but dude makes some salient points imho best of which is that music criticism as consumer guide has been a bankrupt idea for a long time.

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 18:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

xpost loooool

― markers, Thursday, 12 January 2012 18:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah it'd be hard to imagine, say, a publication branding their favorite records as the "best new music" and consumers rushing en masse to check out those records (xpost)

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 18:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

i don't think it's necessarily fiscally bankrupt. i think it's intellectually bankrupt. has criticism ever been quite as explicitly linked to purchasing product as music crit?

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 18:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

I was gonna say, I've heard from more than one record store owner about how they immediately double their stock whenever a Pfork drops a BnM.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Thursday, 12 January 2012 18:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

::shrugs:: a big part of music writing will ALWAYS be "here is something new that you may not have heard yet, and here is why it is or isn't worth hearing." for better or worse i don't know if there's any getting away from that.

xpost

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 18:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

that's the dominant paradigm of music writing in 2012 but it's not the only kind of music criticism that is done and it's far from the only kind of criticism that is done. like he mentions in his post - you don't read art criticism to decide what art to buy. sometimes you read book reviews to decide what books to buy but often you read the review bc you want to get a survey of the field, or a discussion of the book's themes and you never even intend to buy the book. not to mention all the critical writing about books that you can only really read after you've read the book. film criticism often takes popular form as consumer guide, but that's dying off too and tons of film crit still survives. etc

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

so it's the dominant paradigm AND a bankrupt idea. got it.

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

r u just snarking now? i don't see the contradiction. lots of intellectually bankrupt shit is dominant paradigm.

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

i can't even tell if you disagree with me or what your argument is.

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

we're in the same boat, then!

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

"has criticism ever been quite as explicitly linked to purchasing product as music crit?"

uh, film crit? book crit? theatre crit? food crit?

― scott seward, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

except not is my point

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

i dunno i guess i thought by "bankrupt idea" you meant that it isn't still being practiced by many many people or is trending downward at the moment.

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

I was gonna say, I've heard from more than one record store owner about how they immediately double their stock whenever a Pfork drops a BnM.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0,

but not metal albums, eh? ;)

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

that's the dominant paradigm of music writing in 2012 but it's not the only kind of music criticism that is done and it's far from the only kind of criticism that is done.

It is the only music criticism worth reading

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

i disagree. i wish there was more music crit like this:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/09/15/030915fa_fact_baum

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

so you would never read something about an older record you are already familiar with that is unconcerned with good/bad verdicts? (xpost)

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

Well, criticism about old stuff I haven't yet heard is also worth reading; generally speaking, if I have heard something and made up my mind on what I think of it, a critic's opinion is not going to change my mind.

lol xposts

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

Criticism, by its very nature, is about good/bad verdicts btw

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

A music critic could easily change my opinion of something I've heard if she points out something I didn't notice about it.

― polyphonic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

u say btw so matter-of-factly but i think most critics would contest that description of what they do xp

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

That's why there are so many terrible critics out there!

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'm thinking primarily literary critics here

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

there's actually a whole interesting history of the words "critique/criticize" and how they've apparently over time developed a connotation of qualitative good/bad (especially negative) judgments, whereas before it meant more neutrally analysis or commentary than evaluation

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

― Mordy, Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

Criticism, by its very nature, is about good/bad verdicts btw

couldn't disagree more - criticism is about ways of thinking about art/literature/music - sorting through one's responses - the "verdict" is always the least interesting part afaic

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

Critique of Pure Reason
by Immanuel Kant

Pure Reason is pretty good, a distinct improvement on last year's Impure Reason. Reliability is obviously much higher and the usage value is off the charts. I expect to be using Pure Reason for many years to come. 9.2

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

Criticism, by its very nature, is about good/bad verdicts btw

is this for real

― Euler, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

hahaha aerosmith plz start that twitter

― iatee, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

The verdict is always there, though. Something has to drive the analysis otherwise you are looking at aimless, directionless meandering with no thesis.

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

I dunno; I read the NY Review of Books & I'm not looking for a "good/bad verdict", I'm looking to learn what the book's like; what're its topics, its way of doing what it does (I'm thinking most of nonfiction but the same's mostly true for fiction too). I'll decide "good/bad" on my own.

― Euler, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

hahaha aerosmith plz start that twitter

v. tempted

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

or not, actually; I rarely read the full books being reviewed there; I just like reading the crit tbh

btw Bandwagonesque 4eva (to keep w/ the thread's topic)

― Euler, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

it's possible to have a thesis besides "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" iirc

― some dude, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

post one and I will show you how it can be reduced to "thumbs up"/"thumbs down"

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

Something has to drive the analysis otherwise you are looking at aimless, directionless meandering with no thesis.

lol I am saying this in a friendly way so don't take it wrong but a critical theory class would drive you completely bonkers. the whole point of critical theory is to table verdicts in favor of competing truth-claims & seeing how they work together, what the assumptions that go into them are, etc. what drives the analysis is sort of quasi-scientific: an interest in the workings of things, which are assumed/shown to be very complicated and capable of sustaining multiple readings. However, it is also the case that reading this stuff one picks & prods to figure out whether the author (sorry, "author") is harboring some verdict to which he/she doesn't cop

I had more to say here but I could actually hear the sound of you scratching at your eyeballs to make it stop + it made me feel bad

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

Agreed re Twitter request.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

Aerosmith OTM here. I was going to say, DJP, nobody is saying that criticism doesn't often reduce to a good/bad verdict, what they (and I) say is that it doesn't have to be that way, and there are numerous field where in fact the good/bad duality is almost non-existent.

― emil.y, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

*fields

― emil.y, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

whenever someone claims a "reduction" or that X "reduces" to Y, I'm suspicious & recommend the same.

― Euler, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

I can attest that writing reviews is more fun than student discussions in lit theory courses.

― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

setting the bar high there

― pandemic, Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

whenever someone claims a "reduction" or that X "reduces" to Y, I'm suspicious & recommend the same.

I feel it's fair to remind the thread here that Euler "does" philosophy and is required by the terms of his contract to suspect all claims of reduction

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

I studied computer science; reduction is the foundation of everything.

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

that seems a rather reductive claim to me - Euler, back me up here

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 12 January 2012 20:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

i agree w aero too

― Sh1pley Gohard (D-40), Thursday, 12 January 2012 22:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

i wouldnt have said anything except that rarely happens

― Sh1pley Gohard (D-40), Thursday, 12 January 2012 22:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

how many box sets of his tweet reviews did Whiney sell, besides the one to Markers?

― Θ ̨Θƪ (sic), Friday, 13 January 2012 01:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

iirc he sold all of them

― lost ai weiwei (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 13 January 2012 01:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

proof that print media can be saved by tweviews, then

― Θ ̨Θƪ (sic), Friday, 13 January 2012 02:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

fuck, I missed the alley oop due to spending half the day driving across Midwestern tundra

Good grief it's cold, I have been reduced to shivers

― Euler, Friday, 13 January 2012 03:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

important h1pster puppy info within: http://blog.omusicawards.com/2012/01/spin-reviews/

― David Blohard (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 13 January 2012 16:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

way to work around my "no mentions of h1pster puppies" filter that I spent hours coding

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, 13 January 2012 16:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

dudes, whiney deserves a raise, people on my facebook talking about spin! in 2012!

― scott seward, Friday, 13 January 2012 16:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

antipodean counterclockwise unSpinning out the drain

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Friday, 13 January 2012 16:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney can u post your handbook on how to write twitter reviews?

― the 500 gats of bartholomew thuggins (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 13 January 2012 16:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

1. find some music that you hate

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, 13 January 2012 16:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

2. cut a hole in the box

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Friday, 13 January 2012 17:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol this is exactly the sort of thread direction that our whiney haaaaaaaates

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, 13 January 2012 17:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

3. three three for my heartache

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, 13 January 2012 17:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

4. I can give you more

― the 500 gats of bartholomew thuggins (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 13 January 2012 17:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

5. #neversellnocrackwhereyourestat

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Friday, 13 January 2012 17:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

i hope to see a "thom yorkie" joke in this new column

― pat methamphetamine (diamonddave85), Friday, 13 January 2012 17:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

and all english bands albums done in a mockney style mentioning blood sausage

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Friday, 13 January 2012 17:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

Oh right http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_Sausage_%28band%29

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 13 January 2012 17:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney's theme song

― scott seward, Friday, 13 January 2012 17:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

its whiney's world, the rest of us just live in it!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2012/01/13/145107490/are-140-character-reviews-the-future-of-music-criticism

― scott seward, Friday, 13 January 2012 17:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

good call to drop the reviewer name and score hashtags, that shit was superfluous/ugly

― Beezow Doo Doo Zopittybop-Bop Bop (forksclovetofu), Friday, 13 January 2012 17:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

Ann's thing is so good

― David Blohard (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 13 January 2012 18:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

― am0n, Friday, 13 January 2012 19:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

perpetual lolz

― pat methamphetamine (diamonddave85), Friday, 13 January 2012 19:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

― pat methamphetamine (diamonddave85), Friday, 13 January 2012 21:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

hey weingarten, somebody told me to tell you, you're killing it, bro

― some dude, Friday, 13 January 2012 21:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

knowledge, i mean

― some dude, Friday, 13 January 2012 21:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

dudes, whiney deserves a raise, people on my facebook talking about spin! in 2012!

Yes, an old high-school friend posted the news on my Wall yesterday!

― Bon Ivoj (jaymc), Friday, 13 January 2012 21:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

six months from now: whiney instates a new "full issue reviews only" policy

― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Friday, 13 January 2012 21:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah but will more people buy Spin because of it? Or is it all about online clicks now?

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Friday, 13 January 2012 21:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

maybe whiney could attest otherwise but i think most magazines are trying to think about how to survive beyond the quickly ending 'paper circulation era' and these changes are all about that

― Jean-Luc Gohard (some dude), Friday, 13 January 2012 21:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

like maybe they'd like to keep readership of the physical magazine from dropping more quickly to make the transition easier and more gradual, but nobody can possibly expect the number of sales/subscribers to ever go up again

― Jean-Luc Gohard (some dude), Friday, 13 January 2012 21:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

I will always prefer print mags myself but if everyone does go online eventually I really hope it's not in a half-arsed way like nme.com.
Mags like Spin,Rolling Stone,NME etc have a fantastic archive of old reviews and articles that I all hope end up online, and if they do that along with the same amount of reviews Pitchfork puts up each day, then they could have the best sites on the internet. No doubt if that were to happen they would want some silly amount of subscription money though :(

― Jimmy Riddle Orchestra (Armand Schaubroeck Ratfucker), Friday, 13 January 2012 21:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

isn't the full Spin archive on Google Books? or was that only for a minute

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, 13 January 2012 22:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

It's still there. Yesterday I was nosing around the 1998 issue with Natalie Imbruglia on the cover.

― Bon Ivoj (jaymc), Friday, 13 January 2012 23:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

its the gift that keeps on giving:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/01/12/spin_magazine_to_review_albums_on_twitter_is_this_the_death_of_music_criticism_.html

― scott seward, Saturday, 14 January 2012 16:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

"but such responses can largely be blamed on Spin senior editor and avowed troll Christopher Weingarten."

― scott seward, Saturday, 14 January 2012 16:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

hi forrest wickman, didn't know you read ilx

― Jean-Luc Gohard (some dude), Saturday, 14 January 2012 16:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

"Weingarten aims to be the watchdog of music criticdom, but his fierce contrarianism and bullshit-calling seem better suited for a freelancer or a voice on Twitter than a senior editor writing on the behalf of a major magazine"

trololo

― I certainly wouldn't have, but hey. (Le Bateau Ivre), Saturday, 14 January 2012 17:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

wow, that slate piece COMPLETELY misses the point

― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Saturday, 14 January 2012 18:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

you can just post that every day and reliably be right more often than wrong

― occupy mobb deep (some dude), Saturday, 14 January 2012 18:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't do display names but I hope somebody takes "you got us again, Weingarten!" while it's still hot

― iatee, Saturday, 14 January 2012 19:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

like maybe they'd like to keep readership of the physical magazine from dropping more quickly to make the transition easier and more gradual, but nobody can possibly expect the number of sales/subscribers to ever go up again
― Jean-Luc Gohard (some dude), Friday, January 13, 2012 4:40 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

i have to say the look/feel/attitude of new bimonthly print edition is pretty fucking #swag and unique, and, i'm not nastradamus or anything, but I'd like to believe that we could ultimately improve our sub base with it

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 14 January 2012 19:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

was having this discussion with robin today and we both determined we'd be willing to buy an issue to see what it looks like
but after that if i'm not on a comp sub i'm gonna be MIGHTY BUTTHURT

― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Saturday, 14 January 2012 20:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

two year sub is like 15 bones u cheapskate

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 14 January 2012 20:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

When does Issue #1 of the WGW Era hit newsstands?

― lost ai weiwei (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 14 January 2012 20:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

god whiney don't u know PAYING FOR THINGS is for people NOT IN THE INDUSTRY no wonder slate hates u

― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Saturday, 14 January 2012 20:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol @ the WGW era

the first bimonthly ish hits stands in late Feb

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 14 January 2012 20:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

i wish music mags would publish essays instead of reviews

― im an aerosmith tchotchke (Lamp), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

otm

― I Love Pedantry (D-40), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

or that 'reviews' were less consumer guide oriented at any rate

― I Love Pedantry (D-40), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

Maybe pick up the next issue of spin #justsayin

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

haha i will, if only as a show of support for team_ilx, but 500 words isnt really an essay. i mean i dont know how broad an interest there is in like nyrb style essays about the peaking lights remix album or rick ross mixtape but i think longer essays that are freer range than simply 'talk about this album' or 100x better than 'record reviews' & s.thing i would pay money for on the reg

― im an aerosmith tchotchke (Lamp), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

like i think my platonic ideal of music mag writing is alex ross' stuff for the new yorker, where hes given space to put a single artist in context or flesh out a personal take on avant-rock thats more than just an infograph or w/e

― im an aerosmith tchotchke (Lamp), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

i wish music mags would publish essays instead of reviews

Here you go. Hope you like out-jazz and/or underground metal.

― 誤訳侮辱, Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

I dont know if I can say too much atm lampy, but what were gonna be doing in the mag is gonna be diff than the online reviews

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

musicians are going to review their own albums

― Neanderthal, Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

aren't there plenty of places online where that can/does happen lamp? like the problem is in monetizing longform essays not in distributing them. the new yorker/nyrb can bank on their brand for longer than most places but in the long-term that's all they are. xp

― iatee, Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

i watched your speech posted upthread, and i feel that i was with you up until the last few minutes. i mean, i am not a fan of fleet foxes, but your criticism boils down to some lazy slag at young white people or something. lol indie. which i actually can totally relate, to, but the way that you're communicating that complaint is sorta lazy imo.

i remember your review of salem, which i thought was properly devastating.

could you do that in a twitter format? no fucking way. or could you sell me on some artist that you think is worthy of my time in that small a space? i think that you're underestimating the voice of the critic. the individual voice. i mean, read back on old ilm threads. people are all like "yeah, christgau (and granted he was pithy in his own way, but...) meltzer, bangs, etc."... the question of WHY people pay attention to music criticism is too complex to be summed up in an ilx post, much less a 140-character tweet. i feel like you're giving in. if you like music, engaging with it, engaging with people who are similarly enthusiastic or not even so, and writing about it, then why compromise? as i see it, you're giving in to the economic aspects, as you perceive that to be at this time. ffs, twitter might not exist in six months' time. why patronize something unless you fundamentally believe in it?

but then i've never understood twitter from the get-go. /grandpa

― dell (del), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

i think lamp is looking for good longform essays

― sarahel, Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

i was trying to address whiney.

― dell (del), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

@iatee im sure there are! but how many of them are any good blah blah blah every cultural products in the digital age debate ever (mood: livejournal)

i mean the problems with monetizing longform criticism and i guess implicitly the lack of demand for same is that it does make distribution difficult? i kindof cant really parse your post tbh but if i get yr drift is that publications as physical objects are doomed? i guess i can agree with that, or least s.thing like a national music mag. i publish a quarterly zine that loses small amounts of money for fun but ive 'sold out' of my last few issues, so demand for this stuff as a niche product will probably 'always' exist...

― im an aerosmith tchotchke (Lamp), Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

i want to read a lamp zine! pretty sure my entire household would appreciate.

― sarahel, Saturday, 14 January 2012 21:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

i don't know where you can buy these, but they look interesting. it's semi-academic. but i would buy one.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpms.2011.23.issue-2/issuetoc

― scott seward, Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

ya that's my general take, magazine biz not significantly different than newspaper biz in the long-term, maybe in a slightly better place cause a magazine can be uh, tableticized pretty well and there are lots of established brands that people are more attached to than their local paper. but in the long-term

a. there is an enormous quantity of free magazine-esque longform stuff out there online. also lots of great magazines haven't gated their online stuff.
b. paper magazines can be like vinyl records - not 'useless' but not mainstream. sometimes an expensive niche object like your zine. but not the normal form of distribution for longform prose. are they even today? idk what the numbers are or how you'd compare # of magazine articles read in America to # of long blog posts read.

― iatee, Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

i only know about it cuzza the EMP connection:

http://iaspm-us.net/journal-of-popular-music-studies/

― scott seward, Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

i always wish that the oxford american music issue thing was a semi-monthly thing. would subscribe.

― scott seward, Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

i will buy spin when i see it though. i think chris can make it cooler/better. it used to be cool a long time ago. it could be cool again. spin needs a firebrand. a matt taibbi. embrace the #occupy. its been so long since it was relevant to...anything at all. when i would see 2000's era spins i got that schizo who the hell is our audience vibe. grasping at straws. but the wrong straws.

― scott seward, Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

is there any major magazine that's more relevant today than it was 10 years ago?

― iatee, Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

playboy (via lohan)

― congratulations (n/a), Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

some mags hold their own. i actually think rolling stone is better than it was 10 years ago. i'm glad people got the blender-isms out of their system. hated that magazine.

― scott seward, Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

blender also the worst misuse of talent in history. glad some people got paid for a while, but other than that...

― scott seward, Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

your criticism boils down to some lazy slag at young white people or something. lol indie. which i actually can totally relate, to, but the way that you're communicating that complaint is sorta lazy imo.

the amount of skin whiney has in this particular game is kinda his most pronounced weakness & is why "editor" seems like a weird job for him to seek imo

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Saturday, 14 January 2012 22:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

skin?

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 14 January 2012 23:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

think he meant 'thin' skin

― Neanderthal, Saturday, 14 January 2012 23:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

we've been over this - most people don't spend half their lives actively engaging the music/culture they hate and getting wound up about it, but it's kind of a big part of your character as a critic - which is kind of good in a critic, some quixotic windmill to be tilting against (death to false metal) but in an editor is like...look man. I can't stand Fleet Foxes. I know them to be swell dudes personally but that music just ughs me out. But if I'm the editor of a non-niche music mag, then Fleet Foxes sell enough records & fill big enough rooms that they merit the cover stories they tend to get, but it's difficult for me to imagine you seeing things that way, because again a big big part of what you do as a critic is to stand vociferously against stuff you don't like. skin in the game = you have bands & styles whose success you actively oppose

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Saturday, 14 January 2012 23:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

Skin in the game like stake in gambling

― the 500 gats of bartholomew thuggins (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Saturday, 14 January 2012 23:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

Wait did Whiney make Spin bimonthly or has it been for a bit?

― lost ai weiwei (Stevie D(eux)), Sunday, 15 January 2012 00:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

There's a difference between having strong/passionate critical opinions and being perceptive enough to know what stories people are interested in reading Anyone who's not a mental 8-year-old should be able to balance the two.

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 15 January 2012 00:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

Stevie, I hate to break the news but I'm not running Spin

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 15 January 2012 00:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

dude you're a one-man war against half the shit Spin generally covers. you can, ahem, "spin" that as "strong critical opinons" but you actively pine daily for the total demise of a lot of the stuff you're now called to be impartial about. anybody who's not emotionally stunted should be able to hear this criticism without hurling insults.

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Sunday, 15 January 2012 00:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

It wouldn't be the first time a body with idiosyncratic tastes and a chip on their shoulder was senior editor of a music magazine
Also there's a lot of judgement here for an issue that isn't out yet

― gord downer (Ówen P.), Sunday, 15 January 2012 01:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

I just subscribed to Spin for a year for the first time in like .... a decade? First magazine I've ever subscribed to on my iPad. So these long reviews better be good or Whiney owes me. :)

― polyphonic, Sunday, 15 January 2012 01:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney, can you get those staples to shine like they used to? those dull staples really take my enjoyment out of the magazine

― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Sunday, 15 January 2012 01:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

btw i am subbing as well

― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Sunday, 15 January 2012 01:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

anybody who's not emotionally stunted should be able to hear this criticism without hurling insults.
--unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned)

I'll hurl my fist into your shitty face

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 15 January 2012 03:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

― occupy mobb deep (some dude), Sunday, 15 January 2012 03:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

― markers, Sunday, 15 January 2012 04:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Sunday, 15 January 2012 04:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

how are you going to reattach yr fist post-hurling

I assume you need it to shake at witch house blogs

― Bam! Orgasm explosion in your facehole. (DJP), Sunday, 15 January 2012 04:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

i dunno. i think an editorial stance that involves strong stands of 'dislike' at something isn't necessarily a bad one? in this nichified universe, aren't there more than enough popular groups that can driver readerships that he COULD in fact ignore the fleet foxes? and fleet foxes fans will just read pitchfork

― I Love Pedantry (D-40), Sunday, 15 January 2012 09:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

wax poetics is a good mag

― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Sunday, 15 January 2012 09:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

I pay money for it

― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Sunday, 15 January 2012 09:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

no, I agree 100% deej! I'm just saying like I'm not exactly a big Skrillex fan. But I think he was a great cover choice since his off-hipster-radar rise to dominance is like a thousand times more interesting a story than "Guy from Girls picks up a guitar, makes another album"

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Sunday, 15 January 2012 09:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

I'm just saying like I'm not exactly a big Skrillex fan.

SUB CANCELED

― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Sunday, 15 January 2012 14:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

But Korn featuring Skrillex, thats a different story.

― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Sunday, 15 January 2012 14:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

But, I mean that's kind of aero's point, isn't it? like you couldn't even answer him without slagging off a successful trendy hipster band...

― incredible shrinking man on euphonium (Drugs A. Money), Sunday, 15 January 2012 15:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

people who work at magazines don't do it alone and know it's not their personal blog so i dunno why people are acting like one guy being MAYBE slightly more opinionated than the average very opinionated music critic is gonna rock the boat

― occupy mobb deep (some dude), Sunday, 15 January 2012 15:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

what scares us is I THINK we hear...violence

― Neanderthal, Sunday, 15 January 2012 16:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

one guy being MAYBE slightly more opinionated than the average very opinionated music critic

lol whiney hates practically everything

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Sunday, 15 January 2012 16:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

only likes public enemy, cee-lo and the beatles iirc

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Sunday, 15 January 2012 16:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

See you cold lampin round town with Penny lane, and i'm like, fuck youuuuuuuu

― Neanderthal, Sunday, 15 January 2012 16:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

took a moment but lol

― gord downer (Ówen P.), Sunday, 15 January 2012 17:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney g. murdoch

― Lamp, Sunday, 15 January 2012 18:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

it was something like in the SEVENTH issue i got from my subscription that i started getting pestered with "please re-subscribe now!" mailers. i should've cataloged them as the tone of warning changed with each consecutive one.

it went from "heads up" to "your running low!" to "your gonna miss out on some sweet stuff!" to a really weirdly condescending tone that was like spin was disappointed in me and could get on without me, thanks.

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Sunday, 15 January 2012 19:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

all magazines do that.

― this is funny u bitter dork (forksclovetofu), Monday, 16 January 2012 17:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

this is like when ppl were complaining about obama calling them asking for campaign donations

― tyga mother (J0rdan S.), Monday, 16 January 2012 19:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

wasn't the pestering that got me, it was how increasingly urgent their memos were up until the ultimatum with that last one that it doesn't even matter anyways, i'm missing out on some great stuff - peace

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Monday, 16 January 2012 19:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

it was like the memos just gave up on me, like they were only sending that last one b/c it was obligatory. i lol'd

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Monday, 16 January 2012 19:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

I just have to point this out (saw the link from 1000timesyes).

http://www.fastcocreate.com/1679377/longform-critics-offer-shortform-responses-to-spinreviews

As for longform, these reviews will fall into three different categories. First, there are the new Spin Essentials, which will focus on the kinds of albums that the entire staff jams out to in the office all month (The first of these is up already--an epic review of the reunited Guided by Voices by editor in chief, Steve Kandell).

Under 700 words is "epic" for this guy, apparently.

― da croupier, Monday, 16 January 2012 19:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

which will focus on the kinds of albums that the entire staff jams out to in the office all month

imaging them blasting a new album on a big boombox and all the staff sliding across the floor in risky business style socks + wearing shades + playing air guitar

― Mordy, Monday, 16 January 2012 20:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

imagining*

― Mordy, Monday, 16 January 2012 20:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

spin reviews are really complex and sort of fascinating. they're no longer than 3 sentences, and you can never tell what the hell the critic has to say about them.

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Monday, 16 January 2012 21:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

they should really do something about that, huh

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 16 January 2012 21:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

can someone summarize this thread for me in 140 characters or less? i can't read all of this

― geeta, Monday, 16 January 2012 21:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

no new spin twitter reviews today?

― Mordy, Monday, 16 January 2012 21:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

holiday dogg

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 16 January 2012 21:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

spinster puppies

― sarahel, Monday, 16 January 2012 21:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

i have a tweet (xp)

― blood jessica shirt (some dude), Monday, 16 January 2012 21:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

is forks really circling the mod drain

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 16 January 2012 22:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol

― blood jessica shirt (some dude), Monday, 16 January 2012 22:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

forks needs to add my new login to 77

― sarahel, Monday, 16 January 2012 22:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

banks, schools, government + spin magazine taking a holiday today

― Mordy, Monday, 16 January 2012 22:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

ignore me. i had to work + feeling bitter

― Mordy, Monday, 16 January 2012 22:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

i had the zing all cued up too :/

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 16 January 2012 22:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

"perhaps YOUUU are the one who should be taking a holiday! am i right?"

― I Love Pedantry (D-40), Tuesday, 17 January 2012 11:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

<em>Under 700 words is "epic" for this guy, apparently.</em>

It's Fast Company. They specialize in taking any claims made by companies and blowing them up into Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons.

#journalism

― maura, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 14:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

BALLOONS

― somebody sh1pley the brinks truck (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 17 January 2012 14:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

ooooooooooooooooons

― maura, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 15:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

http://www.spin.com/articles/welcome-spins-new-world

― markers, Monday, 27 February 2012 16:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

The magazine now is, undeniably, a more substantial, higher-quality product overall. It grew from 9” x 10.75” to 9.5” x 12”. The March/April issue is more than a half-pound heavier than the January/February issue — 304 percent heftier. We upgraded the cover from thin glossy paper to a thick matte-finish stock; inside, the paper stock is a mix of glossy and uncoated.

― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Monday, 27 February 2012 16:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

Jessie J was a v bold choice for cover star

― DNRIYHM NATION 1814 (some dude), Monday, 27 February 2012 16:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

really hope they do change the whole mag's look. i bought one a month ago cuzza this thread and it was pretty much unreadable in that 90's kinda way. or maxim kinda way. actually worse than maxim. i dunno, it just looked terrible. 400 different tiny little things on every page. 90's spins looked terrible too though.

― scott seward, Monday, 27 February 2012 17:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

I just think it's funny that they're so excited about how their new, modern product is HEAVIER and BIGGER.

― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Monday, 27 February 2012 17:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

saw the new issue on Sunday. kinda feels like Vogue now or something.

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 27 February 2012 17:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

they were rilly rilly thin. i like fat.

― scott seward, Monday, 27 February 2012 17:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

it def looks better imho. otoh seems like 2/3rds of it is ads (hence the Vogue impression)

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 27 February 2012 17:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

xpost

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Monday, 27 February 2012 17:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

― Averroes's Search Engine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 27 February 2012 17:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

Whiney I saw you on TV yesterday. that was weird.

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 27 February 2012 18:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

was he on America's Funniest Flubs, Blunders, And Boners? i love that show.

― scott seward, Monday, 27 February 2012 18:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

it was either BET's tribute to Heavy D or VH1's Behind the Music on Rick James I forget... either way *respecknuckles.gif*

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 27 February 2012 18:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

#diddlydiddlydiddlydiddlydiddlydeeeee

― little clouds of citrus spritz as i peel (forksclovetofu), Monday, 27 February 2012 18:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

East Coast, West Coast... (xpost)

― Averroes's Search Engine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 27 February 2012 18:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

would like to think i'm responsible for this whole thing considering i told the tele-resubbers that the magazine was pathetically thin

$6/month isn't so bad, but there's better alternatives for the bi-monthly format (Under the Radar, Filter...)

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Monday, 27 February 2012 22:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

the Frank Ocean article was good

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 27 February 2012 22:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

i think the one thing i'll miss is "this month's hottest" or whatever that page was. got a lot of good things off that, if it didn't rile me up that 80% of the page was some phoney mashup graphic of all the artists

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Monday, 27 February 2012 22:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

6/month isn't so bad, but there's better alternatives for the bi-monthly format (Under the Radar, Filter...)
― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Monday, February 27, 2012 5:02 PM (8 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Monday, 27 February 2012 22:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

I'll prob buy the issue just to support cuz I think what they're going is great BUT I wish they'd write about shit I actually care about I mean... Sleigh Bells? Eugh...... kind of seems like the same old shit in terms of who they're actually covering, now they're just writing more words about it but like, who wants more words about Sleigh Bells?

― Peace (peaceful) (The Brainwasher), Monday, 27 February 2012 22:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

― little clouds of citrus spritz as i peel (forksclovetofu), Monday, 27 February 2012 22:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'm just saying.

― Peace (peaceful) (The Brainwasher), Monday, 27 February 2012 22:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

BW you should pitch to whiney 4 real

― D-40, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 05:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

flipped through this shit in an airport magazine rack today, it looks good

― flopson, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 06:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

good enough to flip through

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 06:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

one for the sticker

― little clouds of citrus spritz as i peel (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 14:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

I have been anticipating this for a while and may even bike several blocks out of my way to go pick up a copy!

― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 14:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney: OK, filter isn't so great aside from it's ~aesthetic~ but Under the Radar warranted a subscription for me just based on how many *words* each issue has. spin devotes, or devoted (haven't checked the new issues yet), 75% of it's space to bands posing and posturing and generally trying to broadcast their -vibe-.

the big takeover is also another good bi-monthly but i really hate the dude's writing and his affinity for putting an exclamation point behind sentences that never, ever deserved them

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 18:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

Guys where do I buy spin?

― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 18:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

airports, barnes & noble

― da croupier, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 18:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

you cant "buy" spin

― max, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 18:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

spin is a FEELING

― max, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 18:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

spin is a CULTURE

― max, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 18:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

spin is a HAMHOCK IN YOUR CORNFLAKES

― Averroes's Search Engine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 18:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

brb, gonna push our editors to work harder to make what little writing we have as good as under the radar

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 18:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

alright, i just subscribed
http://www.amazon.com/SPIN/dp/B00005N7SU
don't fuck this up man

― little clouds of citrus spritz as i peel (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars all right by me !!!, March 24, 2008
By
Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE)
This review is from: SPIN (Magazine)
I like Spin magazine. Sure, it has a lot of ads and they primarily cover newer trends in music. There's not a lot for people who like classic pop vocals here! However, I always like to keep my head tuned in for new artists and the evolution of music; and so for me Spin magazine serves the purpose well. Moreover, the quality of the paper, images and text is great; and the binding is well manufactured, too.

Spin has articles on great new music and hot developments in the music industry. For example, the current issue focuses on R.E.M. and their "resurrection." I love it! They also have smaller articles with pictures of other newcomers to the music scene.

In addition, look for interesting articles like "who earns what" and "the honor roll" of new gadgets like t-shirts and wireless earphones that are rather informative about what's "hip and happening" today. It could be construed as tabloid gossip; but to me it's a great reprieve from heavy duty thinking!

Overall, Spin magazine is a fine choice for those of us who want the latest news and trends from the music industry. The writing isn't exactly Shakespearian; but you didn't buy this to read Shakespeare! The articles are actually rather well written and the humor is OK by me. I recommend this magazine for fans of modern music and people who enjoy updates about their favorite artists and bands.

― little clouds of citrus spritz as i peel (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

actually I do buy Spin to read Shakespeare.

get on that Whiney

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

Robbie?

― Averroes's Search Engine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

you guys should really push the #spin hashtag

― D-40, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

maybe whiney should get it tatted

― D-40, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

that review was way too long

― Your Favorite Album in the Cutout Bin, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

did this thread title invent hashtags?

― A Little Princess btw (s1ocki), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't think that was the original title

― Number None, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

well then what happened

― A Little Princess btw (s1ocki), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

@spinreviews

― Number None, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

Revisionist history is the best history

― little clouds of citrus spritz as i peel (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

sometimes the original author didn't know what they really wanted the title of a thread to be, that's why we have mods, to decide what thread titles should actually be

― iatee, Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

Mostly well put iatee.
I'll clean it up in edit though, don't worry.

― little clouds of citrus spritz as i peel (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

i really like the new issue -- i have a couple critical thoughts about it too but i dunno if whiney would take it as mean or goon thread drama-ish to air them on the thread

― DNRIYHM NATION 1814 (some dude), Wednesday, 29 February 2012 01:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

he can take it. you know you wanna.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 01:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

From the "Get SPIN" page:

SPIN magazine's new, upsized format and premium quality paper stock place the emphasis swuarely on the core elements of the title over it's 26-year history, long-form features, criticism, and photography. Published siz times a year, each issue focuses on a broad theme that speaks to the people, scenes, and culture surrounding music.

Will you please hire me as an online copy editor?

― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 29 February 2012 04:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

Siz Issues Of SPUN Per Year.

― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 04:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

Whiney is it too soon for me to pitch you again?

― Raymond Cummings, Wednesday, 29 February 2012 04:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

not if you call him Whitney

― little clouds of citrus spritz as i peel (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 29 February 2012 05:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

i really like the new issue -- i have a couple critical thoughts about it too but i dunno if whiney would take it as mean or goon thread drama-ish to air them on the thread
― DNRIYHM NATION 1814 (some dude), Tuesday, February 28, 2012 8:25 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

if you also find some positive things to say, i'm sure this would be fine.

SPIN magazine's new, upsized format and premium quality paper stock place the emphasis swuarely on the core elements of the title over it's 26-year history, long-form features, criticism, and photography. Published siz times a year, each issue focuses on a broad theme that speaks to the people, scenes, and culture surrounding music.
Will you please hire me as an online copy editor?
― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, February 28, 2012 11:27 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Hahaha, well, I'm hoping that's all gonna be fixed in the next 24 hours...

Whiney is it too soon for me to pitch you again?
― Raymond Cummings, Tuesday, February 28, 2012 11:36 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Just flagged this post... ;)

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 29 February 2012 05:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

matte finish on a mag that's been glossy since issue #1? fucking bold choice I gotta say. I'd worry about airport buyers not feeling matte stock but who knows really. I'll be buying this to show support but I want to extract a blood oath here that when SPIN does a metal article it won't be Metal From Williamsburg? Amazing! like all the other non-metal coverage of metal at present

― unlistenable in philly (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Wednesday, 29 February 2012 11:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

Serious question: are you guys still doing those nifty iTunes mixtape things where you give us a code to download a bunch of songs to our devices for free?

― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 29 February 2012 15:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

forgive me whiney for i am

https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/SM/SPM/6for6issues.jsp?cds_page_id=114163&cds_mag_code=SPM&id=1330573204198&lsid=20602138412022983&vid=2&cds_response_key=I1201NL

linking to a $6 subscription.

might or might not work, considering i just jumped on it.

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Thursday, 1 March 2012 03:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

― iatee, Thursday, 1 March 2012 03:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

6 dollar

― iatee, Thursday, 1 March 2012 03:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

6 dollar spin subscription

― iatee, Thursday, 1 March 2012 03:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

what are the dimensions of the magazine

― D-40, Thursday, 1 March 2012 04:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

in, say, feet

― D-40, Thursday, 1 March 2012 04:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

140 characters

― Mordy, Thursday, 1 March 2012 04:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

idk I feel like I'd rather spend the extra $4 to know my credit card # is going to a legit website

― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 1 March 2012 14:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

hxxps://w1.buysub.com

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 1 March 2012 14:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

Sincere apologies for not being familiar with buysub.com/its legitimacy/who runs it

― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 1 March 2012 14:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

rosicrucians iirc

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 1 March 2012 15:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

if i ever got paid i might be able to afford to buy an issue. #joeks #exceptnotreally

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Thursday, 1 March 2012 15:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

If I sub today will I start w Jessie j issue or the next one? Coz I kinda wanna buy and ish and/or sub today but don't wanna get stuck w double issues and a wasted $6

― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 1 March 2012 16:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

you're gonna want 3 copies of the Jessie J issue: one in the crib, one in the whip, and one in the plastic because it's a classic

― some dude, Thursday, 1 March 2012 16:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

anyway whiney as for what i was saying upthread -- on a positive note i liked the whole concept of the issue, the old school Spin-ish redesign and tying that into nostalgia in music, and that whole infographic of different retro movements through the decades was awesome.

2 things that i thought were lame:

- in the section with big full-page concert photos with commentary by the photographers (which i never really liked anyway, was kinda surprised it wasn't tossed out in the redesign), the photog who took the Rick Ross picture being all "he was sooooo big and scary, i thought he was going to hurt me!" was so NAGL i was like there's no way they ran this by Whiney, he would not have let that slide

- having a giant multi-page article all about how its subject has 'mystique' because they refused to give an interview unless they were put on the cover of the issue was just sad, y'all shoulda either took the bait and put Danny Ocean on the cover or just shitcanned the whole article

― some dude, Thursday, 1 March 2012 16:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

the photog who took the Rick Ross picture being all "he was sooooo big and scary, i thought he was going to hurt me!" was so NAGL

haha yeah I lol'd at this too

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 1 March 2012 16:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

shoulda put Billy Ocean on the cover amirite

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 1 March 2012 16:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

haha i actually meant to say Billy Ocean and fucked up my own joke

― some dude, Thursday, 1 March 2012 16:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

i am totally going to use this thread instead of letters to the editor once my sub kicks in

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 1 March 2012 16:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

dear spin,
when r yeahyeahyeahs coming out w/ new album? also maybe bring ultragrrrrrrl back?

― Mordy, Thursday, 1 March 2012 17:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

new ultragrrrl columns would be full of depressed, nostalgic longing for 2005: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ozxlw/iama_woman_who_was_once_considered_one_of_the/

― some dude, Thursday, 1 March 2012 18:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

dear spin,

― lag∞n, Thursday, 1 March 2012 18:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

thank you

― fully formed adult banaka unit (sleeve), Thursday, 1 March 2012 22:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

idk I feel like I'd rather spend the extra $4 to know my credit card # is going to a legit website

― I have one thing to say: "Roxanne Shanté" (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 1 March 2012 14:18 (8 hours ago) Permalink

yeah, it was a direct link from the spin email newsletter which they were sending me from my last year's subscription. if you try to sub from the spin website the website is the exact same, just $3 extra.

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Thursday, 1 March 2012 22:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

the david lynch crossover article was kind of interesting but i sort of hated that newfound high-brow tone in which spin/writers didn't feel they needed to establish anything. i just kept reading line after line waiting for some sort of description as to how it all relates but was mostly culling information from other sources and experience (i.e., already knowing lana del ray's schtick and sound)

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Thursday, 1 March 2012 22:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

nonetheless, it succeeded in making me realize how this is actually a "phenom" and kind of made me sick to be such a vehement david lynch fan in my, from this point, past life

oh, irony

― NO NUTRITIONAL CONTENT (kelpolaris), Thursday, 1 March 2012 23:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

hey whiney the reader for this old Ward Sutton strip about Davy Jones is fucked up, it just keeps reloading the second and third panel over and over

http://www.spin.com/#gallery/cult-cartoonist-ward-suttons-most-memorable-encounter-monkees-davy-jones?image=1

also, the entire presentation of the story is fucked up on principle, it is moronic to present something designed to be read as whole pages chopped up into two-panel chunks, have a look into that, thanks

― Θ ̨Θƪ (sic), Friday, 2 March 2012 02:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

Getting around to this new issue and I really like it, but I got a cheap subscription on my Nook so I've yet to see a physical issue. The content is great, but that light blue font in the "Guide" section is next to impossible to read on a tablet.

― stan this sick bunt (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Friday, 2 March 2012 03:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

Anyway, not to sound like I'm bitching, because overall I'm pretty impressed with this and I congrats to Whiney.

― stan this sick bunt (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Friday, 2 March 2012 04:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah, never thought about it but i imagine a lot of things magazines do with type color/font that works fine on paper would be a headache on a tablet or ereader

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 04:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

ipads have all the colors

― lag∞n, Friday, 2 March 2012 05:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

if i were whiney i would never come back to this thread in a million zillion years. i would walk away as if it were a bad dream. and then go buy a cherry pie.

― scott seward, Friday, 2 March 2012 05:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

if we just write articles in this thread will whiney print them in spin magazine

― lag∞n, Friday, 2 March 2012 05:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

gonna try to respond to all this in a reasoned and mature manner

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 05:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

xp perhaps a cool drink of water as well

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 2 March 2012 05:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

WHINEY. WHINEY!

― Mordy, Friday, 2 March 2012 05:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

having a giant multi-page article all about how its subject has 'mystique' because they refused to give an interview unless they were put on the cover of the issue was just sad, y'all shoulda either took the bait and put Danny Ocean on the cover or just shitcanned the whole article

i mean, usually I would agree with you! I think if P4ste or someone tried to do a writearound about something about Bowerbirds it would bring megalols for days, but I think someone like a Julianne Shephard can really bring something like that to life. The piece wasn't about Frank Ocean it's about Julianne's writing, which is powerhouse.

the david lynch crossover article was kind of interesting but i sort of hated that newfound high-brow tone in which spin/writers didn't feel they needed to establish anything. i just kept reading line after line waiting for some sort of description as to how it all relates but was mostly culling information from other sources and experience (i.e., already knowing lana del ray's schtick and sound)... nonetheless, it succeeded in making me realize how this is actually a "phenom" and kind of made me sick to be such a vehement david lynch fan in my, from this point, past life

idgi... the piece didn't show how it all relates but succeeded in showing you that lots of things are related? And you're mad that I actually called sources instead of just made stuff up?

hey whiney the reader for this old Ward Sutton strip about Davy Jones is fucked up, it just keeps reloading the second and third panel over and over

I 've looked at it on two computers and it works fine for me! Clear your cache maybe? Are you using an old browser?

The content is great, but that light blue font in the "Guide" section is next to impossible to read on a tablet.

this is actually good to know and I'll pass the word along!

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 05:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

SCRATCHED: Is this Spin’s last stand?

― don weiner, Wednesday, February 25, 2004 9:34 PM (8 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 05:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

I 've looked at it on two computers and it works fine for me! Clear your cache maybe? Are you using an old browser?

yeah tbh but I am at work so

the formatting thing is a big deal tho, it is kinda offensive to both readers and the artist to transform a big drawing into a click-through listicle. I bet Kelly from the Onion would draw something frowning in response about the liberal media trying to give honest Americans RSI >:(

― Θ ̨Θƪ (sic), Friday, 2 March 2012 05:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

I would usually agree with you! But--unlike, say Complex or Quietus--the way the redesign has it set up where a) you don't have to scroll the site or move your mouse AT ALL to actually click through and b) it just changes the image instead of RELAODING THE PAGE every time. I think it makes for a pretty satisfying user experience tbh.

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 06:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

not AS satisfying a user experience as seeing a single page of comics on a single page and reading it!

for eg if you want to go back and cross-reference a character or line in panel 3 with one in panel 14 you have to click back and forth a dozen times, or open a new window and drag it over and position it side-by-side, and THEN click through to the right spot etc etc

but big props for being so dave cool abt ppl griping on this thread

― Θ ̨Θƪ (sic), Friday, 2 March 2012 06:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

yow, that twin peaks/reverb culture/LDR piece is amazing, whiney. and kind of intimidating, but in a good way. useful, i guess, and the closing summary is perfect. not sure why i'd turn kelpo off on lynch though...

― Totes le Héros (contenderizer), Friday, 2 March 2012 08:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

ehhhhh imo if you're gonna do a thinkpiece, do a thinkpiece -- i didn't miss the lack of Lana Del Rey quotes in the Reynolds piece because he's just weaving her into a larger narrative. making the lack of an interview a huge part of the FO article and trying to compensate for it by quoting his tweets and his managers/handlers and trying to make them seem more profound and illuminating than they really were was the main problem with it.

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 14:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

There was quotes from Lana in the Del Rey piece

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 16:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

and thanks, contenderizer! I'm really proud of the way that one came out!

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 16:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

did SR interview her or just pepper in quotes from other sources? i thought it was the latter but it's been a week or so since i read it so maybe i'm misremembering

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 16:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

Simon interviewed her.

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 16:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh ok, my bad

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 16:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

btw not trying to put you in a shitty position of diplomatically defending or deflecting criticism of colleagues on a public forum, i just figured right now would be the time when you're pretty eager to hear any honest feedback

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 16:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

I'll mean, I'll always defend stuff that needs defending, whether I work there or not: Simon interviewed Lana, Julianne's piece is great and I liked reading Sutton's comic that way.

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 17:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

i've read that sutton comic before on the page in book format; that's always going to be preferable. as a comic nerd i'm quick to say that panel by panel click forward reading is like watching a film where you have to push a button every three seconds to keep it going.

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 2 March 2012 17:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh i'm not saying you're saying anything just to be nice or a team player, but y'know (xpost)

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 17:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

also speaking of comics, the webcomic article could've used a little dose of whiney vitriol about how many completely awful unfunny webcomics there are

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 17:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney i just wanted to say i'm really proud of u

― omar little, Friday, 2 March 2012 18:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

aw, thx....

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

also speaking of comics, the webcomic article could've used a little dose of whiney vitriol about how many completely awful unfunny webcomics there are
― some dude, Friday, March 2, 2012 12:29 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Just because something is on the web doesn';t make it a web comic in my head. I think of things that look like photoshop drew them and are for worthless internet WoW-playing life-failures (Questionable Content, Penny Arcade, xkcd, Achewood) as "web comics" and stuff that looks like a human drew them (Ward Sutton, PBF, that one where like Jane Eyre says like droll anachronistic thing whatever the fuck its called) as "COMICS"

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

Whatever that last one is called, I always like it when i see it!

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

Wondermark?

― Cuba Pudding, Jr. (jaymc), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

worthless internet WoW-playing life-failures

you should incorporate this phrase into the magazine. require at least one writer per issue to use it, kinda like how writers for The Wire have to incorporate the phrase "hypnagogic pop" (or at least that's what it seems like)

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

xpost

Ugggghhhh fuck no. Wondermark is like "worthless internet WoW-playing life-failures" but then add "They Might be Giants superfan"

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

can you do a feature on uncle acid?

― omar little, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

Hark, A Vagrant

― Flagpost Sitta (Phil D.), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

^ that's it!

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

i don't think whiney should work too hard at making any catchphrases happen until "billyburg beardos" or "tumblr whites" has reached a tipping point

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

Ugggghhhh fuck no. Wondermark is like "worthless internet WoW-playing life-failures" but then add ~~"They Might be Giants~~ Community superfan"

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, March 2, 2012 3:12 PM (3 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

aww he could abbreviate it WIWLF - and it could be pronounced as "wih-wolf"

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

well that pretty succinctly describes why I like Wondermark so much, although I haven't played WoW in like 8-9 months

― Vaseline MEN AMAZING JOURNEY (DJP), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

see u on 9gag

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

seriously, it could be like how Sassy used to have Cute Band Alerts, you could have the WIWLF Alert -- things that are new and trendy in that demographic -- and it would involve a drawing of a chubby bearded guy in a wolf shirt

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

WIWLF doesn't have the frisson of self-indictment of the other whiney insults that force him to come up with insane technicalities like 'i live in a DIFFERENT part of brooklyn' or 'i use TWITTER not tumblr'

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

haha

― flopson, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

'i watch PARKS AND REC, not the drew glover meta aspie hour'

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

offended on behalf of a cat named roast beef

― Totes le Héros (contenderizer), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

aww he could abbreviate it WIWLF - and it could be pronounced as ~~"wih-wolf"~~ "wu lyf"

― Totes le Héros (contenderizer), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

― sarahell, Friday, March 2, 2012 3:19 PM (5 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

How about the some dude butthurt hour

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

'tumblr whites' has got to go places

― goole, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

xp but it might do that for some of Spin's readers?

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

why would my ridicule come from a place of butthurt if the closest any of those comes to describing me more than you is 'watches the wrong network television show'?

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

force him to come up with insane technicalities like 'i live in a DIFFERENT part of brooklyn'

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YclQxUm3oNo/TPZ7eSBXcHI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/09PYYZjT6QQ/s200/ChFa-Matt%2BFoley.jpg

Hey, Dad, I can't see real good... is that Fred Armisen over there?

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

tumblr whites just makes me think of laundry

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

I would read a bi-monthly "Whiney builds a strawman" column

― be scientific, douchebag (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

it's called ilx

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

we could call it bill or we could call it billyburg beardo!

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol Whiney got there before I could

― Vaseline MEN AMAZING JOURNEY (DJP), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

i honestly don't remember which part of ny you live in or lived in when i visited you last year haha, was it williamsburg? green point?

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

we'd have to design a new system of shorter temp ban periods in order to make it only bi-monthly

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

remember when whiney said that the beatles were as omnipresent as pizza?

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

remember when sarahel posted something on ILX that wasn;t about me or the Admin Log?

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

you're still the only person in the world who thinks the ubiquity of the beatles is a controversial topic, sars (xpost)

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

SARS

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

true, everyone i know agreed with me that the beatles being as omnipresent as pizza was stupid and ridiculous

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

everyone you know in OAKLAND

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

nah, some people in SAN FRANCISCO and BROOKLYN too!

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

maybe sarahel and deej can come to some kind of consensus about how hugely popular the jacka is

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

xpost

so too short and manny ramirez basically

― the wild eyed boy from soundcloud (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

glad you guys like the magazine

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

xp the strangest doubles tennis team ever

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

remember when sarahel posted something on ILX that wasn;t about me or the Admin Log?

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, March 2, 2012 12:31 PM (6 minutes ago)

i think that says more about what you pay attention to than what i post about tbrr w/u

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

force her to come up with insane technicalities like 'i post about in a DIFFERENT part of ILX' or 'i post about DAVE COOL not whiney'

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah whiney it should have been "remember when sarahel posted something on ILX that didn't end in a question mark"

― D-40, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

break it up ya mugs

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

thread is just getting good

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

Is forks really stirring the pot?

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

'tumblr whites' has got to go places

this phrase totally sticks in my head, though i don't really have any context for it. only tumblr i've ever followed is/was mosurock's "still single". he's probably white?

― Totes le Héros (contenderizer), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

xp but good for WHO
think outside the bun mon frere

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

xp - he's white. it was just his birthday last week.

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

sarahel_whos_white.xls

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

if that's gonna be a new Spin feature, you gotta pay me something

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 20:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

i think reaching out to a white audience is a good change for spin

― the wild eyed boy from soundcloud (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 2 March 2012 20:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

i still don't know what a tumblr white is

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

that requires a question mark

― Ward Fowler, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

the tumblr white....is you sarah...it's been you all along

― the wild eyed boy from soundcloud (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 2 March 2012 21:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

it's me
it's me
it's all for me
do you tell me all the time?

― sarahell, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

tmblr whites is a really good turn of phrase but its meaning is too stuff white people like for it to be truly profound, I do tho totally support using spin as a sticky catch phrase incubating platform viral something something

― lag∞n, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

the reason "tumblr whites" is classic is because it's such a horribly clueless continuation of the Why do white people criticize one another for being white? bullshit people as smart as whiney should've gotten over a no;;opm uears agp

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

"a no;;opm uears agp" is the way they say "a million years ago" in the future btw

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

woah, Esperanto

― Vaseline MEN AMAZING JOURNEY (DJP), Friday, 2 March 2012 21:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

pinterest esperanto

― lag∞n, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

i know you all jealous of my futuristic keyboard

― some dude, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

typepad blax

― omar little, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

3o;;oE is an ascii portrait of our futuristic spider overlord iirc

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 2 March 2012 21:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

what kind of future-future are you in where you have to remember correctly things not scheduled to happen for another hundred years??

― Mordy, Friday, 2 March 2012 21:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

don't call me whitey, whitey

― Totes le Héros (contenderizer), Friday, 2 March 2012 22:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

I'm so lost

― Raymond Cummings, Friday, 2 March 2012 22:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

Is it cuz I'm black?

― Raymond Cummings, Friday, 2 March 2012 22:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

well SOMETHING is holding you back

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 2 March 2012 22:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

hm, some of the 'observations' made in that Lana piece - on the distance between her and her image, and the focus on the visual, and things speaking 'through' here - feel a little familiar to me.

― Chris S, Friday, 2 March 2012 23:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

at last count there were roughly 1.5 million monkeys at typewriters banging out Lana Del Rey thinkpieces so there's bound to be some reoccurring themes

― some dude, Saturday, 3 March 2012 01:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

i just had to search "tumblr whites" because somehow i missed its glory until now.

― da croupier, Saturday, 3 March 2012 02:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

That phrase always made me sorta IA and sounds so stupid and meaningless

― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 3 March 2012 02:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

just to make clear, the glory i'm referring to is its absurdity and irony

― da croupier, Saturday, 3 March 2012 02:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

da croupier and some dude steady doing their part to make sure white people aren't treated in a reductive fashion on the internet.

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 3 March 2012 02:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh stop it you baby

― da croupier, Saturday, 3 March 2012 02:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

it's not happening that blindly in this case, some dude, but I'll leave it at that

― Chris S, Saturday, 3 March 2012 03:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

god, remember lana del rey!? man, those were simpler times. january was a long month.

― scott seward, Saturday, 3 March 2012 03:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

the second the word came that she sold well it's like she stopped being an issue with bloggers

― Chris S, Saturday, 3 March 2012 03:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

i wrote a grand total of two reviews for spin and they were both totally horrible experiences (i was not a professional writer or journalist), and once i told an editor there that i should really have my own column - cuz i was drunk and my job at the beer store in philly afforded me plenty of time to not give a fuck - and he said: why is it always people like YOU that asks for a column? i didn't know what to say to that but i kinda wanted the names of the people like me cuz i was lonely at the time and would have totally hung with people like me. he also called me at the beer store once - all in the name of one completely forgettable 300 word review - and ended up yelling into the phone IS YOUR LIFE SO MUCH BETTER AND COOLER THAN MINE???!!! - and at that moment i was hungover and poor and staring at a drunk who wanted to pay for his 40 oz in pennies and i was like no dude i doubt it.

― scott seward, Saturday, 3 March 2012 04:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

I value whiney's contributions to ilx, now more than ever

― buzza, Saturday, 3 March 2012 04:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

omg @ 'sars'

whiney i bought a copy of the new spin i hope yr happy

― a life ___________ (Lamp), Saturday, 3 March 2012 06:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

thread locked down, only ppl who buy last copy allowed to post

― Bo Jackson Overdrive, Saturday, 3 March 2012 16:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

da croupier and some dude steady doing their part to make sure white people aren't treated in a reductive fashion on the internet.

laughing at a white dude who's on the internet 24/7 for sneering at "tumblr whites" isn't a plea for someone to please be fair to the white people, fyi

― some dude, Saturday, 3 March 2012 17:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

picked this up in the aiport yesterday, definitely looked really cool

― J0rdan S., Saturday, 3 March 2012 19:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

Picked mine up as well... Is this seriously 308% or whatever heavier than the last issues? It's about 308% heavier than a supermarket circular. It's very, very nice though. I will definitely be subscribing and I really hope people latch on to this.

― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Saturday, 3 March 2012 22:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

love how the guy who spends 80 percent of his time on the internet slinging his "lol corny indie fuxx" act at pretty much every rock band is like "sure i can take a couple minor critiques of spin as long as you say some positive things as well"

― Murray Ostril, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

great first post

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

corny indie fuxx, whiney, ilx

― lag∞n, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

valuable new poster

― buzza, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

yes, certainly because i'm new = my point was invalid and my contributions will have no value

― Murray Ostril, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

natch

― Spottie_Ottie_Dope, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

u r not really new tho r u...

― lag∞n, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

nobody said your contributions have no value murray

― iatee, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

I'm finding them valuable

― iatee, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

"Mr. Ostril"

― lag∞n, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

would just love to hear him reconcile the two rather than deflect, that's all

― Murray Ostril, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

ok, JESSICA BUMBUM

― stan this sick bunt (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

do you want him to pen an essay 'why I am a critic but I get very angry when people criticize me'?

― iatee, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

'because i am a critic signed whiney g whinegarden'

― lag∞n, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 17:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

i dunno, because its one thing for people to call me out on Twitter and Tumblr when its part of "the conversation" and a completely different thing for people who are active members of a small message board community to snipe at each other with nitpicky minutae of their IRL lives?

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 18:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

I think there is a distinct difference to this thread and Whiney's general presence on the interent: the "corny indie fuxx" stance is how Whiney feels and is an opinion he flings about, which you are fully free to find annoying/hateful/whatever. This thread in particular relates to Whiney's job, and thus he is hoping that maybe folks actually talk about Spin, and what they do and don't like about the changes, as opposed to attacking him (and vicariously the magazine) for the other things he gets up to. Lots of other threads to attack Whiney on, maybe this isn't the place?

― grandavis, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 18:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

Yeah, seriously, there's like 20 threads just for calling me a dumbass and you're welcome to them

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 18:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

fair points all.

(i promise i am reasonable.)

― Murray Ostril, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 18:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

i only have six threads calling me a dumbass...

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

that;s because you changed the other 14 to say you're a genius

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

I was just thinking that number sounded way low

― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

i have one that i remember. you know, specifically calling me an idiot or whatever.

― scott seward, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

but nate was pretty good at pointing out my dumbassness in the early years.

― scott seward, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

that;s because you changed the other 14 to say you're a genius

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, March 6, 2012 2:31 PM (7 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

heh

― lag∞n, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney would it be fair to say that youd appreciate for this thread to be for constructive criticism and for people to use the other threads for all out attacks

― lag∞n, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

legume setting benchmarks

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

well whiney does operate as a beacon for many of us

― lag∞n, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

sing the whiney anthem

― drop these whiners on a island (Surviver style) (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 19:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney would it be fair to say that youd appreciate for this thread to be for constructive criticism and for people to use the other threads for all out attacks

― lag∞n, Tuesday, March 6, 2012 2:41 PM (39 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I think that sounds right

― what's a goon to garbus (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 6 March 2012 20:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

Scott we all heart you man

― Raymond Cummings, Wednesday, 7 March 2012 05:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

where's Murray?

― buzza, Friday, 9 March 2012 09:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh my god, boner toast flip 4ever

― sarahell, Friday, 9 March 2012 09:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

late to party but I picked this up on Satdy. Between heft & article length, instant nostalgia! Feels, and looks, like a capital M Magazine.

And not to sound like a kissass but I didn't give much of a hoot for Sleigh Bells til I read the interview in this issue - might circle back & give them a re-listen. It was a good piece imo

― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 12 March 2012 07:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...

To whom it may concern: Look, I get the whole page view/ad revenue thing and all but splitting a list of 30 things over 15 pages is just ridiculous and v few people are going to actually read the whole thing.

http://www.spin.com/articles/hated-nation-30-biggest-punching-bags-pop-history

― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 13:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

putting 400-500 words on each page is fair game in this day and age imo. you should see VladTV lists where you have to scroll through 100 pages to see 100 list entries with no actual writing accompanying the list

― the outlaw josie mccoy (some dude), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 13:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

you should see Pitchfork lists where you only have to scroll through 10 pages to see 100 list entires

― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

obv Spin is not all the way on the most generous end of the content-per-page spectrum, I'm just saying they're not that far over to the stingy end either

― the outlaw josie mccoy (some dude), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

spin site has ALWAYS been really hard to look at and buggy. it's tradition! (i just clicked that link and was stuck on the page with no way out. had to click the whole page away.)

― scott seward, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

tweeted links to spin articles will sometimes take me to the mobile homepage (when on iPhone).. FYI

― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

i was just looking at the spin twitter feed this morning while i was getting ready for work and thinking that it really isn't much better than like the metacritic upcoming releases list. i mean, it's nice to know what's out there in genres i'm maybe not keeping close tabs on.

― Mordy, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

wish i knew where my goddamn sub was.

― Lil T the Bowed Jet (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney ate it

― Algerian Goalkeeper, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

iirc it starts w/ the May issue

― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 14:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

Mordy for that sort of thing there's also this - https://twitter.com/#!/bbcalbumreviews

― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 15:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

stevie otm and theres a lot of evidence that this kind of page view grubbing is getting less and less effective

― lag∞n, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 15:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

I must admit, I never click through any sites like that. I find it annoying. I know why they do it, but its still a pain.

― Algerian Goalkeeper, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 15:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah its the worst. its rarely worth it.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 15:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

i hate other message boards that have like 10 or 15 posts on a page then you need to click to get on another page. ILX has really spoiled me with regards to all this I think.

― Algerian Goalkeeper, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 15:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah and all these buttons and random txt and avatars, so hard to read

― lag∞n, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 15:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

theres always like 10 ways to reply to a thread

― A Little Princess btw (s1ocki), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 15:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

totally, truth bombs ahoy

― some dude, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 15:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

stevie otm and theres a lot of evidence that this kind of page view grubbing is getting less and less effective

― lag∞n, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 11:34 AM (25 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

It was our highest trafficked article of the entire month of march so \o_O/

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

sure but you have you have nothing to compare that to, it couldve just been a good article that more people wouldve read if it had been formatted differently, you should do some a/b testing w/yr pagination - and that doesnt even get into what youre doing to your brand w/this junky stuff - basically the word on the street is in the age of social news these type of things are less likely to be shared than their more humanely formatted counterparts

― lag∞n, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

Your search - "clickthrough whites" - did not match any documents.

― buzza, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

loll

― lag∞n, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

like if you took the same attitude to revamping yr site as you did to the magazine you wouldnt f w/these chopped up listicles

― lag∞n, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

if i can't Read It Later i ain't innerested

― Lil T the Bowed Jet (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

honestly, one "Full Page View" button for every article would go a long way toward a standing ovation from the entire internet. Leave the choppy chop shit as the default if you need to but present an option for the cognoscenti to take advantage of. Everyone's happy.

― Lil T the Bowed Jet (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

ya even business insider has that option

― lag∞n, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

i will read almost anything if its easy to see and read. cuz i LOVE wasting time.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

It was our highest trafficked article of the entire month of march so \o_O/

Where article = the first page? How many people made it to the end?

― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

Or does viewing each page count as 1 article view? I mean come on dude, surely you can agree this kind of formatting is not ideal w/o pulling out numbers and stuff.

― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

if i can't Read It Later i ain't innerested

^^^^^^^

― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

Doran, some real talk from across the pond. I'm very psyched on this feature

http://thequietus.com/articles/06869-portishead-bakers-dozen

But I'm not psyched to click through 14 things to read it.

― delmar dillinger (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 31 August 2011 17:07 (6 months ago) Permalink

― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

*moistens lips*

― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

Doran, some real talk from across the pond. I'm very psyched on this feature

http://thequietus.com/articles/06869-portishead-bakers-dozen

But I'm not psyched to click through 14 things to read it.

― delmar dillinger (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 31 August 2011 17:07 (6 months ago) Permalink

― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 12:37 PM (19 minutes ago) Bookmark

hate the game, not the player

― J0rdan S., Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

gettin high as a rooftop/contradict myself in my rhymes like i'm tupac

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 17:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

loved keith harris's spin meat loaf review! even if i do disagree with him about bat out of hell.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 17:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

if yr ad sales guys can really still sell placement off of high numbers on paginated articles then bully for you but thats gonna get less and less possible

― max, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 17:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

i love jordan's Action Bronson review and you should all read that instead of arguing over Jeff Weiss's because it was in your boyfriend, Pitchfork

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 17:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah enjoyed the meat loaf review, especially after meeting keith at EMP and being able to kind of hear it in his voice

― some dude, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 17:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'm really ridiculously proud of our review section right now.

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 18:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

so nice to finally meet keith in nyc! i am a long time fan.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 18:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'd be more proud if i were reviewing something HINT HINT

― Lil T the Bowed Jet (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 19:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah I was impressed by the breadth of the section

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 19:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

whiney been reading some reviews off the Reviews hub page, some good stuff

one bit of (hopefully constructive) criticism:

when you're on the main Reviews hub, the reviews seem to be categorized in three ways: Critical Mass, Spin Essentials, and Worst New Music

however -- and this is especially the case with Critical Mass (the most common category) -- it's a bit frustrating/confusing not being able to tell before you click whether it's a full review or just one of the Twitter-style micro-reviews...I think it would be smart to call readers' attention to the long-form reviews in some way, or at least give them a way to tell which is which.

― the penultimate prophets (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 19:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 19:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

Have discovered many a new album in 2012 thanks to @SPINreviews btw

― Joan Cusack clumsily running into a water fountain (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 20:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Wednesday, 28 March 2012 21:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

I was impressed by the breadth of the section

this feels like a big butt appreciation rap quote

― ┗|∵|┓ (sic), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 22:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

I met whiney once but I don't remember what his butt looks like :(

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 22:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

it's glorious

― 1 week to "Charles Dingus" (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 28 March 2012 23:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

I was in the bathroom at a party/seder last night and saw the revamped spin. Looks so much nicer than the last issue I'd seen years ago. Looking good!

― the hairy office thing (Eazy), Saturday, 7 April 2012 15:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

got my sleigh bells ish last night will report back

― wrapped sausage stylus (forksclovetofu), Saturday, 7 April 2012 15:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

thx 4 the heads up

― lag∞n, Saturday, 7 April 2012 15:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

just wanted you to relax, you seem so tense

― wrapped sausage stylus (forksclovetofu), Saturday, 7 April 2012 15:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

i feel much better now knowing you got yr sleigh bells ish

― lag∞n, Saturday, 7 April 2012 15:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

That was the issue in the loo, too. Loved the full-page concert photos, closer to Interview than Rolling Stone.

― the hairy office thing (Eazy), Saturday, 7 April 2012 16:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

the current size/logo/artwork makes it looks like an issue of life magazine from 1970. i havent opened it yet. (as ive mentioned earlier i receive spin for free even though i never ordered it)

― billstevejim, Saturday, 7 April 2012 16:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

lmao

― lag∞n, Saturday, 7 April 2012 16:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

i hope i didn't get the loo, too copy

― wrapped sausage stylus (forksclovetofu), Saturday, 7 April 2012 16:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

haven't read through this thread yet, but does anyone know if forks got his sleigh bells ish yet?

― A Little Princess btw (s1ocki), Saturday, 7 April 2012 19:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

i was worried abt that too

― D-40, Saturday, 7 April 2012 19:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

― scott seward, Saturday, 7 April 2012 19:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

guys i want to help but you won't let me help

― wrapped sausage stylus (forksclovetofu), Saturday, 7 April 2012 20:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

i bought the sleigh bells issue about a week after it came to newstands, subscribed roughly 4 weeks later, and just recently got the same issue in the mail

thanks. 5 more to go.

― kelpolaris, Saturday, 7 April 2012 21:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

fork if you can't find it check the bathroom at the seder party

― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Saturday, 7 April 2012 22:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

uh oh, spin called santigold 'r&b':
http://www.spin.com/#gallery/spins-25-spring-albums-you-gotta-hear?image=10

― some dude, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 19:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

i know this ruins Spin's business plan but can someone just paste a list of the acts so that i don't have to click through each page?

― Mordy, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 20:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

what do you mean? i love waiting for all the ads to load

― billstevejim, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 20:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

worth clicking through to see that the name of the new hives album is "lex hives"

― some dude, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 20:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

i know this ruins Spin's business plan but can someone just paste a list of the acts so that i don't have to click through each page?

isn't this whiney's biggest pet peeve on other websites?

― 40oz of tears (Jordan), Tuesday, 17 April 2012 20:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

very very infrequently (maybe once or twice a year on Spin) one of these click-thru galleries will be compelling enough that i'll actually click thru. 100% of the rest of the time i will not read the article. it's not because i am taking a moral stand on it. it is because i am too lazy. this is one of those times.

― Mordy, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 20:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

er, that's maybe once or twice a year on Slate. i've never clicked thru on Spin.

― Mordy, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 20:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

scroll up, we had this convo a couple weeks ago

― some dude, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 20:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...

Thank u Whiney for allowing me to stream the new Off! record today.

http://www.spin.com/articles/hear-offs-ferocious-self-titled-lp

yes yes yes yes

― polyphonic, Wednesday, 2 May 2012 17:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

Has the new ish shipped? I've been eagerly checking my mailbox every day for like the past two weeks.

― Time, a group with Jam and Lewis (Stevie D(eux)), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 17:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

i got it in the mail a couple weeks ago

― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 17:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

sweet! i didn't know there was a new one.

was so awesome when i saw them and their "encore" was the first three songs of the set over again because they didn't know any more songs

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 2 May 2012 17:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

I could just hug these guys for the guitarist article. So many upset Steve Lukather fans on the Jim Dunlop Guitar Products facebook page right now.

― how's life, Thursday, 3 May 2012 16:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

The Jam Master Jay at #10 kinda gives away that this is just informed trolling, and it's lazy that Jonathan Richman/David Byrne are ignored while Jerry Harrison gets a nod (ditto Corin Tucker/Mary Timony for Carrie Brownstein). But I do love that like 95% of the older guitarists are also in the SPIN alternative record guide. The new staff clearly respect the canon.

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

Jim Martin got robbed, though. STATION!

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

I wonder how many times SPIN has printed the words "Derek Bailey" since that book.

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

i like that list! as far as lists of that type go. the jerry harrison thing was odd -- seems to me him and byrne were equal in the heads guitar dept. would've put glenn mercer in there somewhere but that's just me.

― tylerw, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

To answer my own question re: Bailey, Google Books suggests dude was referenced once in 1989, 1996 & 2000 and TWICE in 1998.

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

i remember limp bizkit referencing him in 98, yeah.

― tylerw, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

the 'star-points' guitarist graphic in the paper issue >>>>>>> the online listicle trolling skrillex haters

― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

That book got me into Sonny Sharrock, but I shifted away from the "tell me more, Byron Coley" side of it before I got around to hearing Chadbourne, Bailey or Fahey.

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

fahey is so amazing man, like you should check him out

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

i got a little lol out of pretty much every multiple-guitarist band letting 2 guys have a shared entry on the list except "sorry, mike mccready, you shred too much, stone's gonna go it alone on this one"

― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

i skipped the middle of the list so maybe i'm wrong but it seemed overly reactionary - i'm all for overturning the canon list of classic rock guitarists but it seems like it would have been more effective trolling with some of those dudes scattered around, like jimi hendrix at no. 2 and THEN lee ranaldo and thurston moore at no. 1. but far be it to tell whiney how to troll people. hendrix is not on this list at all btw, unless i missed him.

― congratulations (n/a), Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

some of the guitarists that got the same considered "we could have paired you with your bandmate but FUCK YOU" that Mike McCready, Mary Timony and David Byrne got:

Ivan Julian
Tanya Donnelly
James Iha
David Gilmour (tbf Syd is in the alt guide but not Pink Floyd)
Syl Sylvain
Scott Kannenberg
Ed O'Brien (man, they really prefer the guitarist that sometimes drops the guitar to twiddle knobs, don't they?)
James Williamson (shots fired!)
Belinda Butcher

Had Robert Fripp in but he popped up eventually. Guess that guy has an "indie pass" for all the non-King Crimson stuff in the guide.

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

that's the funny thing, this really wasn't an overturning of the classic rock canon but a reaffirmation of the classic spin one. with the addition of late discoveries like shuggie otis and james brown guy.

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

Did they skip Michio Kurihara?

― how's life, Thursday, 3 May 2012 17:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

if we had to include hendrix and jimmy page, our list would be like 75% overlap woith the RS list(s)

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 3 May 2012 18:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

Also Anthony, i do hope we UPDATED the classic spin canon

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 3 May 2012 18:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

well it'd be weird if you didn't include anything after 1995. and some of you whippersnappers are clearly cooler with Pantera et al than your teachers were.

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 18:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't understand why Bez Bez was left off this list.

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Thursday, 3 May 2012 20:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

i kinda like that SPIN's only reason for existing at this point is for trolling RS readers

― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 3 May 2012 21:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

that's a noble pursuit imo

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 21:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

which is why i said i kinda like it

― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 3 May 2012 21:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

i mean as much as i disagree with completely leaving Hendrix off the list, the thought of Lesfetz going apoplectic with rage makes me smile

― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 3 May 2012 21:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

It's kind of funny that "fuck your blues-rock paradigm, we're on some LOU REED shit" can still ruffle feathers

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 21:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

i definitely would not let anyone from spin fuck my blues-rock paradigm

― lag∞n, Thursday, 3 May 2012 21:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

especially not if theyre already on some lou reed shit

― lag∞n, Thursday, 3 May 2012 21:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

guy prob shared needles

― lag∞n, Thursday, 3 May 2012 21:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

who was Rolling Stone trolling when they came up their narrative. Leonard Bernstein?

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 22:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh man i just realized Peter Buck isn't on here. How did HE get left out of the Lou Reed family tree?

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 22:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

so embarrassing for us

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 3 May 2012 22:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

i'm just noting the irony. Peter Buck's a big reason you guys even have a narrative.

― da croupier, Thursday, 3 May 2012 22:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

buck has a lot of tasty licks

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 22:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

Anyway, I just bought some records based on that list, so thanks wgw.

― how's life, Thursday, 3 May 2012 22:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

if we had to include hendrix and jimmy page, our list would be like 75% overlap woith the RS list(s)

that shouldn't matter to you fyi

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

i know aero will have my back, but given the nature of the list Andy Cohen of Silkworm/Bottomless Pit TOTALLY should be on this list

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

xpost

it really shouldnt matter to do something unique and different?

i've said this elsewhere, but the primary word in "SPIN's 100 Greatest Guitar Players of All Time" isn't "All-Time" but is, in fact "SPIN"

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah I don't wanna fight with you, whatever. list is just kind of dumb imo, like when I finish clicking through it I go "well, you made me look - good job, my bad." Euronymous. I mean - Prince is on Rolling Stone's list, too, so's Dimebag. If you wanted to do something different, you might have assigned some of the list to people who're into guitar & can talk in non-impressionistic ways about how people play. You would then be doing something Rolling Stone hasn't done since the mid-seventies: focusing on musicality instead of image.

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

I gotta say though I'm now really looking forward to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau getting listed as one of the top 100 MCs

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah as much as i like the list there's too much blatant trolling...like Jam Master Jay...and Dave Navarro

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

plus prince is a lame inclusion cuz he's such a classic rock showoff anyway, he's totally RS bait

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

Skrillex was kinda a place to start the list because from what I saw, a lot of people didn't even get past that. By putting him 100th, you're trying to sell guitar music to people who are fans of Skrillex, which like, I think more people still like Led Zeppelin than dubstep.

― how's life, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

kinda a poor place

― how's life, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

If Sleater-Kinney joined forces with J Mascis in a New Jersey basement to channel late Black Flag and early Smashing Pumpkins, they might come up with something approximating Paternoster's maelstroms.

*dies*

― call all destroyer, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

who the fuck is the #99 guy, can someone tell me?

― call all destroyer, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

otoh, I think I got the Jim Dunlop Guitar Products facebook page to really like me this afternoon, so maybe next week I'll win a free Phase 90 or something.

― how's life, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

99 guy is awesome! I hadn't heard of him either.

― how's life, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

also if you're gonna go with a guitarist who wouldn't be shit w/o his effects rack go with the motherfuckin' OG The Edge instead of Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

they went with the edge.

― how's life, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

skrillex. you know, for the kids.

― Mordy, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

aerosmith, did you honestly just find the complicated, roundabout way to say, "These writers don't know the first thing about playing a guitar, man"

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

sorry joe perry wasn't on the list :(

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah they did go with the edge.

zinner is possibly the most defensible 2000s choice!

― call all destroyer, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

Also, if anyone thinks there's some mysterious agenda for putting Skrillex on that list beyond exactly what my blurb says, i got some illuminati websites to show u

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

perry is on the list with the jam master jay placing in a way

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

alright whiney, you've convinced me to load up the list to read your skrillex blurb.

― Mordy, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

i think i'm too dumb to understand your blurb. sorry. i guess he's the 100th best guitarist bc his music translates really well to guitar covers?? and bc 'riff' = 'drop' or something?

― Mordy, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

to make up for skrillex you have to put tom morello on your lists of the greatest DJs of all time

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh good, this generation's "smoke on the water"

― call all destroyer, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

which skrillex generation is the worst?

― Mordy, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

are we still on generation Y

or are the millennials different?

i hear those kids think they are hot stuff with social networking and entitlement

anyway jeff beck owns man, dig on beck-o-la and come talk to me

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

aerosmith, did you honestly just find the complicated, roundabout way to say, "These writers don't know the first thing about playing a guitar, man"

well, yeah! I mean, you wanna characterize that as an unsophisticated stance, I guess but when literally none of the writers seem to know anything about guitar, it's hard to think of the list in any serious way - the list might be called "list of 100 people we wish to associate ourselves with publicly," because in 100 entries about guitarists (or, in one case, a guy who samples guitarits), there literally won't be on non-impressionistic description of somebody's playing. To write about who's the best guitarist, some credential beyond "I'm good at creative writing" sorta oughta go with the territory - you're talking about a technical skill, playing guitar, so "write about how the people play guitar and what makes their playing distinctive or innovative" hardly seems like a big muso demand.

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

i for one eagerly await spin's list of best bass players

― call all destroyer, Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

1) Police Academy's Michael Winslow

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

srsly tho there are tons of great guitarists on the list

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 3 May 2012 23:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

Forreal, why you gotta be such a drag, aerosnith

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 4 May 2012 00:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

Connor 54 minutes ago

#2 Kevin Shields: Didn't know writing boring pentatonic metalcore riffs based off of Maiden tunes would get you on any list anywhere.

okay this gave me a much-needed lol

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

When it comes to guitar I think we all know Django Reinhardt can't hold a candle to Skrillex.

― polyphonic, Friday, 4 May 2012 01:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

this is basically stylus's top 50 drummers list but shitty on purpose:
http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/stylus-magazines-50-greatest-rock-drummers.htm

― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh lord ship

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah i mean think of it this way, whiney: skrillex trolling is one thing, but at least you didn't publish a list where the guy from modest mouse placed ahead of ziggy modeliste.

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

at least on our Stylus list the Yeah Yeah Yeahs guy placed ahead of Rat Scabies

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

This is like some dude's list of the Top 50 daytime talk shows of 2008 but shitty on purpose

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

i think you just called your own list shitty on purpose.

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

i thought that was the point?

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 01:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

i can't believe there are FIFTY daytime talk shows. at this rate we'll all have one.

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

it would actually make me so happy if that list existed

― flopson, Friday, 4 May 2012 01:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

workin on it, flop

― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

if i click on the list, do i get to see a picture of skrillex having sex with a my little pony?

― sarahell, Friday, 4 May 2012 01:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

you get to see john fahey fisting dimebag darrell

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

current friends facebook status: i like SPIN

― flopson, Friday, 4 May 2012 01:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

friendship is magic

― sarahell, Friday, 4 May 2012 01:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

you get to see john fahey fisting dimebag darrell
--jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad)

This is what the new Horseback record sounds like

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

genuine lol

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

tho i do like that record

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

Sorry Son House, but you're no Ira Kaplan.

― polyphonic, Friday, 4 May 2012 02:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

tho i do like that record
--jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad)

Yeah it's great!

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

i like that simply by compiling a list of people who play the guitar you've pissed off so many people.

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

where did vini reilly place

― the aower of aussy (electricsound), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

to be fair you put the words "all-time" and "greatest" atop a list of anything and you're going to piss off so many people

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

i like that simply by compiling a list of people who play the guitar you've pissed off so many people.

Yeah, it's expert trolling for sure.

― polyphonic, Friday, 4 May 2012 02:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

The first Vini Reilly Invasion record smokes

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

classic he1go interjection

― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

if youre not gonna put son house or jimmy page on the list then for christ's sakes don't put jack white on it.

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 02:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

jw is the only exception to indie fux BLOOZHAMMER BRO zings

― Neil Young’s social media channels (some dude), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

yup and it never fails to drive me nuts

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 02:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

like with so many lists of this type (as mr. underrated suggests), a fair amount of it seems to be about namechecking bands as opposed to musicians/musicianship.

Like, the dude from Gang of Four? Mr Zzz from the Yawn Yawn Yawns?

― sarahell, Friday, 4 May 2012 02:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

The first Vini Reilly Invasion record smokes

Thank you for the new nickname.

― Vini Reilly Invasion (Elvis Telecom), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

Andy Gill seems like he was pretty influential as a guitarist

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

I don't have a problem with the list per se, other than the writing is terrible and occasionally inaccurate (x & y in a food processor? Stevie Ray Vaughn plays guitar on "Let's Dance" not Nile Rogers. Rogers produced (and plays guitar elsewhere on the album)

― Vini Reilly Invasion (Elvis Telecom), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

Vaughn plays lead, Rodgers plays rhythm on the track "Let's Dance" actually

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

Anyway, getting mad about this list is like getting mad at one of Cracked's lists.

Having said that, Pat Place and John McGeoch aren't on this list so fuck this list and fuck Spin.

― Vini Reilly Invasion (Elvis Telecom), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

Vaughn plays lead, Rodgers plays rhythm on the track "Let's Dance" actually

Huh, didn't realize that... I knew that Rogers played elsewhere on the album (the Pushing Ahead Of The Dame blog gets into all the details and Rogers' frankly impossible job at hand), but I thought the title track was all Vaughn. Would love to hear a track-by-track breakdown of it.

― Vini Reilly Invasion (Elvis Telecom), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

The chink-a-chink rhythm parts are all Rodgers.

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 4 May 2012 02:58 (1 year ago) Permalink

can't believe MF Doom got left off, he totally plays the guitar, verbally, man

― caulk the wagon and float it, Friday, 4 May 2012 03:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

to say nothing of Bobby McFerrin

― caulk the wagon and float it, Friday, 4 May 2012 03:30 (1 year ago) Permalink

speaking of which where's the harmonica guy from Blues Traveler

― caulk the wagon and float it, Friday, 4 May 2012 03:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

rly mad they didn't include the cast of Friends on the list

― caulk the wagon and float it, Friday, 4 May 2012 03:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

and if Jam Master Jay made it on then we should include other people who only fictionally play guitar like the kid from Deliverance and Samuel L Jackson's character from Black Snake Moan

― caulk the wagon and float it, Friday, 4 May 2012 03:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

otm, chandler bing was robbed

― some dude, Friday, 4 May 2012 03:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

― the aower of aussy (electricsound), Friday, 4 May 2012 03:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

And shouldn't the Disaster Area guy be here also? They're a thousand times more doom, sludge, etc. than the pikers on this list. Plus they're in the future!

― Vini Reilly Invasion (Elvis Telecom), Friday, 4 May 2012 03:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

he even has his own pedal

― the aower of aussy (electricsound), Friday, 4 May 2012 03:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Friday, 4 May 2012 03:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Friday, 4 May 2012 03:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

24 Steve Albini (Big Black/Shellac) SOMEONE FORGOT RAPEMAN, p cool list otherwise tho

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 04:07 (1 year ago) Permalink

is this list in any order

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 04:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

the numbers are 'points,' so skrillex has 100 points, sonic youth dudes have 1 point

― some dude, Friday, 4 May 2012 04:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

so unfair, but i guess maybe if they had more bass drops or w/e

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 04:32 (1 year ago) Permalink

its funny because i remember from my spin reading youth when they used to like to include public enemy or whoever under the heading of 'rock' and now look theyre still doing it, its a spin tradition

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 04:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

jam master jay at ten is way stranger than skrillex because if you dont play guitar you should totally be confined to the bottom third IMHO

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 04:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

in all seriousness tho its a sweet alt list and there are tons of doods i love on there, its cool to do something a lil diff that doesnt quite make sense

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 04:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

it probably doesn't work as well online but the David Marchese infographic comparing a bunch of guitarists that's in the actual issue is so much cooler than the list: http://www.greatkat.com/59/articles/spinmagazine.html

― some dude, Friday, 4 May 2012 04:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

if youre not gonna put son house or jimmy page on the list then for christ's sakes don't put jack white on it.

^^^

Elmore James too, Guitar Slim, or if you simply have to have the "but he combined all their styles and brought nothing of his own to the table/he's basically our kinda people!" quality at least go with Greg Cartwright

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Friday, 4 May 2012 05:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

For all the posturing about "the kids," the SPIN list is really for people in their 40s.

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Friday, 4 May 2012 06:04 (1 year ago) Permalink

Connor 54 minutes ago

#2 Kevin Shields: Didn't know writing boring pentatonic metalcore riffs based off of Maiden tunes would get you on any list anywhere.

okay this gave me a much-needed lol

― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 4 May 2012 01:21 (7 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

haha I just got this

― listicular fortitude (DJ Mencap), Friday, 4 May 2012 09:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

For all the posturing about "the kids," the SPIN list is really for people in their 40s.

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Friday, May 4, 2012 2:04 AM (5 hours ago) Bookmark

the list of guitarists that people in their 20s listen to is pretty short, though

― some dude, Friday, 4 May 2012 11:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

Should have thrown Nathan Chapman in there.

― how's life, Friday, 4 May 2012 11:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

is daniel johnston on here?

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 4 May 2012 12:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

― scott seward, Friday, 4 May 2012 13:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

that list is kinda cool. but yeah jack white is right up there with corgan for me as far as people who make me want to blow my brains out. and what whiney said about jeff beck is how i feel about j mascis. unless j is drumming in deep wound. then i love him. better trolling would have left out fahey and basho. and included whatsherface from the shaggs and the banjo player for the monks.

― scott seward, Friday, 4 May 2012 13:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

Hey Viv Albertine! This list rules. Good work Whiney.

― the endless white snow has never felt more textile (loves laboured breathing), Friday, 4 May 2012 14:27 (1 year ago) Permalink

thx man!

― suidavyvan eht nioj (Whiney G. Weingarten), Friday, 4 May 2012 14:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

― scott seward, Friday, May 4, 2012 9:42 AM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol wrong utube *insert bobby mcfarin sunshine of yr love*

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

if spin realllly wanted to troll, the end of this list should have been
1. YOU

― tylerw, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

honestly what would have been the best is if you would have done a total whiney list like how you did...all "oh the dude from boredoms"...."doug martsch"...."kelly clarkson"...."rahzel from the roots".... all up to number one then pull a bait and switch and be all

Number 1:

HAHA J/K LOSERS IF YOU CAN'T SWEEP PICK AN ARPEGGIO IN PHRYGIAN MODE U FUKKIN SUCK LOL"

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 4 May 2012 15:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

i love when bobby screams at the end of that track. best scream. whole track should have been him screaming.

― scott seward, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

1. u and yer ipad

― scott seward, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

these people all say fark instead of fuck.

http://www.fark.com/comments/7086447/Spin-magazines-top-100-guitarists-of-all-time-Skrillex-is-100-Jam-Master-Jay-is-10-no-Hendrix-Page-Van-Halen-in-sight-Oooh-edgy

― scott seward, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

Judging from the last issue and also the jpg of that guitarist thing SPIN seems to be moving towards infographics that *look* cool but are somewhat confusing and hard to actually read, which seems to defeat the purpose of an infographic.

― a parker full of poseys (Stevie D(eux)), Friday, 4 May 2012 15:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol guitars

― Lamp, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:31 (1 year ago) Permalink

omg i havent thought about fark in forever

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

For all the posturing about "the kids," the SPIN list is really for people in their 40s.

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Friday, May 4, 2012 2:04 AM (5 hours ago) Bookmark

the list of guitarists that people in their 20s listen to is pretty short, though

― some dude, Friday, May 4, 2012 6:40 AM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

ppl say this a lot but it doesn't feel all that true to me. i'm more shocked at how LITTLE of a generation gap there is anymore...i work with a lot of ppl younger than me in their 20s and a lot of them way more into classic rock and metal and other stuff, and more critical of newer stuff than i am

and just the popularity of like mainstream indie now....

as far as younger kids i meet in bands they seem to be super into older stuff, almost the same canon i grew up on...

i dunno it's weird...i'm 37 and i was having a conversation with a bar seeing some bands with someone who was 27 and also someone who was 46, 20 year gap and we all pretty much liked the same stuff

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 4 May 2012 15:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

honestly i'm just glad to have a celebration of the gen-x indie guitar rock aesthetic written by whiney.

We don't worship "guitar gods," but prefer our axe-wielders to be resourceful, egalitarian, flawed, and human.

― da croupier, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

well i meant more guitarists that 20somethings listen to MORE than 30somethings and 40somethings. lots of young people still listen to Nirvana and Sabbath, but not necessarily more than the olds did or do.

― some dude, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

no i agree obv hip hop and newer guitarists like skrillex mean this gen is like um less rockist and stuff, but i guess i'm always surprised by how much that stuff endures! just like david bowie is still cool or whatever, and he was old tyme stuff for me, much less kids today

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 4 May 2012 15:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

david bowie really should've had a challop entry on the list

― some dude, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

Yeah, it's kinda weird for me too. When I was a kid, like 1950s stuff wasn't very cool - Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly. Don't know if it is now or not. And so my gut expectation would be for today's youth to dismiss Led Zeppelin or something in a similar way, I guess. But that's not really how it works out.

― how's life, Friday, 4 May 2012 15:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

Obviously Skrillex at 100 is some "informed trolling" but there is a point to it I suppose. If you're looking to include a token person using "guitar textures" to make interesting music Fennesz is a much more defensible inclusion. Other notable exclusions at first blush (in rough order of WTF-ness): Dean Warhem, Loren Connors, Michio Kurihara, Richard Bishop, Jeff Parker, Jack Rose, Ben Chasny, Keith Rowe. Would be very interested to hear how the selection process went down.

― Badmotorfinger Debate Club (MFB), Friday, 4 May 2012 16:00 (1 year ago) Permalink

i don't think it really matters in the end. who was included. as i said earlier on this thread, A+ job by whiney to make people think about Spin in 2012. that's the important thing.

― scott seward, Friday, 4 May 2012 16:09 (1 year ago) Permalink

Spin-magazines-top-100-guitarists-of-all-time-Skrillex-is-100-Jam-Master-Jay-is-10-no-Hendrix-Page-Van-Halen-in-sight-Oooh-edgy

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 4 May 2012 16:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

i like that reading the url means i don't have to actually read the article.

― tylerw, Friday, 4 May 2012 16:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

If you're looking to include a token person using "guitar textures" to make interesting music Fennesz is a much more defensible inclusion

well yeah, seeing as he actually is a guitarist

― Number None, Friday, 4 May 2012 16:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

xp it's not an article as much as people complaining about the lack of Buckethead and Flea

I like that list Whiney, fwiw, but guitar people reactions to this are even better, I didn't know before that hearing about SY is some king of obscure, arcane knowledge

― V79, Friday, 4 May 2012 16:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

now do the top 100 electronic artists and put jimi at #100
you know you want to

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 4 May 2012 16:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

(i want a byline credit if you do this btw)

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Friday, 4 May 2012 16:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

I didn't know before that hearing about SY is some king of obscure, arcane knowledge

Oh god, this.

No STEVE LUKATHER??? The people at Spin are Spun. That list is worthless and is an offense to any good guitar player that really understands what it takes to be a master of the instrument. I'm surprised that list doesn't include Tiny Tim and Don Ho.

― how's life, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

The people at Spin are Spun

BURN

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol guitar people

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

MAN do they love them some steve lukather

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

Steven Lee "Luke" Lukather (born October 21, 1957) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band Toto. A prolific session musician, Lukather has recorded guitar tracks for more than 1,500 albums representing a broad array of artists and genres. He has also contributed to albums and hit singles as a songwriter, arranger, and producer. Lukather has released six solo studio albums, and he is currently working on his seventh.

holy shit

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

― scott seward, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

cool forehead

― lag∞n, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:19 (1 year ago) Permalink

you'd think guy fieri wouldn't use an alias for his career as a guitarist, but i guess the world is just a weird place

― frogbs in the trap (J0rdan S.), Friday, 4 May 2012 17:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

Hah! And wow, an Ovation and 50 guitar picks on the mic stand. Can one possibly drop/shred through that many picks in one show, especially if someone is a professional?

― grandavis, Friday, 4 May 2012 17:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

I think there's a tendency for the older Gen X'er to adopt the fake-out punk attitude of "pink floyd sucks" which in its way is bleed-over from the boomer attitude against 50s music, but I think more and more people are seeing music as a cultural continuum and not some identity war. I live across the street from a high school and I see a wide spectrum of eras and styles represented on t-shirts when class lets out: Beatles, Misfits, Iron Maiden, Cure, Led Zep, The Who, etc.

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Friday, 4 May 2012 20:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

Sounds just like the 60s and 70s to me.

― booblights and the eternal frustration (how's life), Friday, 4 May 2012 21:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

there was one kid with a Nirvana shirt as well

― Number None, Friday, 4 May 2012 22:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

classic rock will always have a home with white kids who are slightly uncool

― call all destroyer, Friday, 4 May 2012 22:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

Hah! And wow, an Ovation and 50 guitar picks on the mic stand. Can one possibly drop/shred through that many picks in one show, especially if someone is a professional?

― grandavis, Friday, May 4, 2012 1:37 PM (5 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

One can when one is constantly tossing them to the audience.

― i love the large auns pictures! (Phil D.), Friday, 4 May 2012 22:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

BTW this high school is 99% mexican american.

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Friday, 4 May 2012 22:55 (1 year ago) Permalink

Lukather really is a monster & I have him to thank for turning me on to Allan Holdsworth so he's cool w/me

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Saturday, 5 May 2012 00:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol bernard sumner

i love JD but c'mon, dude was barely a step above sid vicious in terms of suckiness

― cock chirea, Saturday, 5 May 2012 00:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

he is a truly terrible guitarist who's made some life-changing records for sure

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Saturday, 5 May 2012 00:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

― Ask The Answer Man (sexyDancer), Friday, May 4, 2012 4:17 PM (4 hours ago) Bookmark

lol this is otm, and also explains this list made by older gen x'ers

― some dude, Saturday, 5 May 2012 00:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

to be fair, though, bernard sucks even worse at singing. hahaha!

but its all moot. dude played guitar on ceremony! he belongs on every greatest list ever written.

― scott seward, Saturday, 5 May 2012 01:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

wtf people his solos in "Shadowplay," "Ceremony," and "Age of Consent."

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 5 May 2012 01:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

you don't have to tell me. he was in my 2nd fave band ever. i love him. even if he sucks.

― scott seward, Saturday, 5 May 2012 02:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

two of our students snuck backstage to see New Order when they played Ultra. He and the ugly Hooky replacement praised their ingenuity and the four of them had beers on the lawn for a good half hour. Barney even recorded a station ID.

Steve and Gillian didn't make an appearance.

― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 5 May 2012 02:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

the primary word in "SPIN's 100 Greatest Guitar Players of All Time" isn't "All-Time" but is, in fact "SPIN"

that caveat puts it on a par with Dr Morbius' 100 Greatest Comic-Book Movies

― World Congress of Itch (Dr Morbius), Monday, 7 May 2012 19:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

plus prince is a lame inclusion cuz he's such a classic rock showoff anyway, he's totally RS bait

if youre not gonna put son house or jimmy page on the list then for christ's sakes don't put jack white on it.

This is basically why the list seems so weird to me. It would actually be interesting to see a list of avant-garde guitarists (where you'd include some of the people MFB mentioned) or a list of postpunk guitarists but including Prince and Eddie Hazel in the top 10 (who are really obviously Hendrix-influenced) and then excluding Jimi Hendrix altogether just seems perverse. Like, Frank Zappa was egalitarian and humble? Really? He was not so far off from Jeff Beck's aesthetic, really, only with less taste and restraint.

― EveningStar (Sund4r), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

Prince and Eddie Hazel in the top 10 (who are really obviously Hendrix-influenced) and then excluding Jimi Hendrix altogether just seems perverse

agreed

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah and zappa i really like high level guitar mag stuff, what you get into once you graduate from the entry level guitar mag jackoff stuff

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:40 (1 year ago) Permalink

tbrr I can barely make it through an entire Hendrix album, while Prince and Hazel are like all-time godz to me so eh I don't really see the problem

― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

no randi? no zakk? no satch? no eric FRIGGIN clapton? this list is a joke. it is meaningless to me.

― booblights and the eternal frustration (how's life), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

these jokers at spin must be hipsters with no understanding of music.

― booblights and the eternal frustration (how's life), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

saw that comment a lot "they dont understand MUSIC"

― booblights and the eternal frustration (how's life), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

david t chastain was robbed

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

free paul gilbert

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:50 (1 year ago) Permalink

no alex skolnick, no peace
know alex skolnick, know peace

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

really think Whiney should've put Chris Carraba on the list

― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

when they came for the gary moore records......i said nothing

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

guitar chapter eleven, verse 55:

tony macapline wept

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 20:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

y'all forgot about GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology)
http://www.mi.edu/guitar?gclid=CPa40OiI768CFQYKKgode3AX7g#program-overview

― tylerw, Monday, 7 May 2012 21:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

its funny because i remember from my spin reading youth when they used to like to include public enemy or whoever under the heading of 'rock' and now look theyre still doing it, its a spin tradition

I think the definition of "rock" is much more ambiguous than the definition of "guitarist" though.

(Btw, J0hn, do you ever read music theory? There was an all-rock issue of Music Theory Online some time ago you might like.)

― EveningStar (Sund4r), Monday, 7 May 2012 21:08 (1 year ago) Permalink

y'all forgot about GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology)
http://www.mi.edu/guitar?gclid=CPa40OiI768CFQYKKgode3AX7g#program-overview

― tylerw, Monday, May 7, 2012 4:01 PM (58 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

dogg i never forgot about GIT! it was going to my ticket to a record deal with Shrapnel :(

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 22:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

(Btw, J0hn, do you ever read music theory? There was an all-rock issue of Music Theory Online some time ago you might like.)

rarely, but it's always something on my "more of this" list, which every year looks more and more like the "list of things you're going to rue not doing more of on your deathbed" list. given that about 70% of my listening is classical now & the other 30% is largely stuff by dudes whose work will be enriched by deeper grounding in theory, I kind of ought to get my theory chops in better shape

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Monday, 7 May 2012 23:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

i've always felt there was some interesting music writing to be done by the right person about the intersection of high-level music theory stuff and 80s metal guitar playing, like it was so odd in retrospect, all these dudes in what was perceived as sort disposable noise that were digging into (in strange sort of misguided or superficial way) into like modal scales and shit like that...like as a kid i couldn't really play for shit but somehow I knew all the modal scales like from guitar mags

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 7 May 2012 23:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

who got hard rock guitar headed down that road, zappa? van halen?

― some dude, Monday, 7 May 2012 23:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

definitely Van Halen

― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 7 May 2012 23:37 (1 year ago) Permalink

yeah EVH is a pretty major touchstone. I feel like 70s post-Hendrix dudes like Robin Trower also sort of are important to those guys, like they're listening to that stuff & Black Sabbath & playing scales and it all comes together in a giant frenzy of awesome

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Monday, 7 May 2012 23:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

EVH has readily identifiable precedents but none of them had the similar "classically trained" + rock cred combo that spawned the industry as we know it

― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 7 May 2012 23:49 (1 year ago) Permalink

oh you know what? I didnt end up reading all of it, but that whole E-Hazel-&-Prince-but-not-Hendrix would've been redeemed if SPIN had included Trower as well, but I'm guessing that didn't happen...?

― cinco de extra mayo (loves laboured breathing), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 12:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

I like that the "most heroic moment" listed for Zappa is a Beefheart showcase song with no guitar theatrics to speak of.

― improvised explosive advice (WmC), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 13:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

who got hard rock guitar headed down that road, zappa? van halen?

― some dude, Monday, May 7, 2012 6:37 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I'd guess Ritchie Blackmore, he was the first guy that made a big deal about being classically influenced, and I'd say that if Iommi was the prototype for metal riffing, Blackmore was just as much the prototype of metal soloing

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 15:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

^^^yeah can totally get with that. Blackmore was def on some "check out at ye olde medievel melodies in yonder solo" schtick. somehow his appeal and range seem more, I dunno, restrained? limited? than EVH. Blackmore wasn't pop the way EVH was.

― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 15:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

You can throw Uli Jon Roth in the mix too. He's a logical precursor to EVH and that pop pyrotechnic style.

― EZ Snappin, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 15:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

FUCK YOUR BLUES-ROCK PARADIGM!

― EveningStar (Sund4r), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 16:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

iirc i'm waiting for the man was written in a 12 tone scale

― l0u1s j0rdan (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 16:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

i remember buying my first Velvet Underground comp because they were so progressive and influential on alternative music and everything that wasn't a boring german ballad was pretty basic competant rock n roll.

― how's life, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 17:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

Btw, I agree that Blackmore and Roth are good antecedents. What about Steve Hackett? He was doing some two-hand tapping early on. I could see the lead parts in "The Musical Box" as an antecedent to Iron Maiden in a way.

I can't offhand think of any theoretical writing that's really specifically about 80s hard rock but these guys have written about metal or prog:

http://web.gc.cuny.edu/music/faculty/pieslak.html
http://www.ibiblio.org/johncovach/JCmain.htm

Pieslak's Meshuggah article is pretty good.

― EveningStar (Sund4r), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 17:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

hell0 whiney u need to sort ur website out

i'm trying to read an article and it keeps redirecting to the home page halfway through

― liberté, égalité, beyoncé (lex pretend), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 11:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

it did it to another one i tried to read to

i pretty much hate the entire design of the internet these days

― liberté, égalité, beyoncé (lex pretend), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 11:16 (1 year ago) Permalink

actually, i was having problems with that re: accessing the guitarist list.

― how's life, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 11:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

i wish everything on the internet looked like ilx tbh

― liberté, égalité, beyoncé (lex pretend), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 11:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

instead of overloaded cluttered pages full of crap that feel like you're barely in control of your own internet experience

― liberté, égalité, beyoncé (lex pretend), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 11:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

^^^ t-bomb

― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 13:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

he is right you know

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 14:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

just fire the web designers and get some bloggers to do it for free. this IS 2012 after all.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 14:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

i actually know two amazing web designers by the way. one of whom is an ilxor if spin needs some help. cuz that site has always been a nightmare.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 14:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

ha ca you imagine if whiney had the spin site redesigned to look like ilx

― some dude, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 14:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

its right up there with movie company websites (almost always horrible and straight out of 1992) and big label music company websites (ditto). media people strangely have a hard time with the whole website thing. which is kinda ironic, dontcha think?

― scott seward, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 14:54 (1 year ago) Permalink

This Waka cover gets lots of attention sitting on my desk.

― Bulge Pimp (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 15:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

is WAKA the one after the Sleigh Bells? I need to pick that up.

― cinco de extra mayo (loves laboured breathing), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 15:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

your desk is hella clean

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 15:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

Yeah, I keep it fresh.

― Bulge Pimp (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 15:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

i HAVE been reading Spin lately. just so you know.

― scott seward, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 15:42 (1 year ago) Permalink

Old Spin! What a fantastic magazine it was.

― Respectfully, Tyrese Gibson (Nicole), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 15:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

picturing people in business casual walking by spottie's desk, looking down and screaming "GROVE STREEEEEEEEEET" or "WAKA! FLOCKA! WAKA! FLOCKA!"

― some dude, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 15:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol. All I've gotten so far is a couple "cool, who is that" comments.

― Bulge Pimp (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:13 (1 year ago) Permalink

i wish everything on the internet looked like ilx tbh

― liberté, égalité, beyoncé (lex pretend), Wednesday, May 9, 2012 7:24 AM (5 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

instead of overloaded cluttered pages full of crap that feel like you're barely in control of your own internet experience

― liberté, égalité, beyoncé (lex pretend), Wednesday, May 9, 2012 7:25 AM (5 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

i would fight and die for this

― Hierophantiasis (Jon Lewis), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:38 (1 year ago) Permalink

OTM

― EveningStar (Sund4r), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

isn't that what like instapaper and a million other apps do basically?

― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:45 (1 year ago) Permalink

do go on...?

― Hierophantiasis (Jon Lewis), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:48 (1 year ago) Permalink

ha ca you imagine if whiney had the spin site redesigned to look like ilx

― some dude, Wednesday, May 9, 2012 10:52 AM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

do it

― lag∞n, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:51 (1 year ago) Permalink

jon lewis: http://getpocket.com/

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

works for your computer too. you just need to find single page sites for long form.

― (Name Withheld to Avoid Hassle) (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol Spottie I have those Run DMC figures on my desk at home

― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

it's tricky to rock a desk iirc

― some dude, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

Readability is an app that strips extraneous shit from web pages.

― grandavis, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

I like using the Reader button in the Safari app for this purpose.

― Moodles, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 18:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

lol Spottie I have those Run DMC figures on my desk at home

― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, May 9, 2012 4:57 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Fist bump.

― Bulge Pimp (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 18:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

I am still waiting for my issue in the mail :-( shouldn't it be here by now if it's already on newsstands?

― a parker full of poseys (Stevie D(eux)), Thursday, 10 May 2012 16:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

might want to revisit the calendar poster...

― scott seward, Saturday, 12 May 2012 20:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

hey whiney i've been listening to stuff off the spin best albums of 2012 so far thing, some good tunes maaan

― wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 18 June 2012 20:28 (11 months ago) Permalink

tried reading that & just got caught on a loop of action bronson -> addison groove -> action bronson -> addison groove

― carly rae (flopson), Monday, 18 June 2012 20:35 (11 months ago) Permalink

that was a damn fine list, i thought. would've liked to see just a little more mea culpa from whiney on twitter for doing a "so far" thing, though. dude gave a LOT of people/places shit for that last year.

― alpine static, Monday, 18 June 2012 21:21 (11 months ago) Permalink

being whiney means never having to say you're sorry

― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 21:22 (11 months ago) Permalink

when whiney does the exact same thing he criticized others for its totally different remember! And will prove it with a month long poll.

― it looks like something rupert the bear would wear (Algerian Goalkeeper), Monday, 18 June 2012 21:26 (11 months ago) Permalink

well w/e it hipped me to some new music

― wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 18 June 2012 21:27 (11 months ago) Permalink

he must be held accountable!
but srsly, i am having a weird desire to subscribe to spin. last ish i got was in 1996! should i do this!?

― tylerw, Monday, 18 June 2012 21:31 (11 months ago) Permalink

dude go for it, subway ain't free

― wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 18 June 2012 21:33 (11 months ago) Permalink

i don't care how whiney gets to work

― tylerw, Monday, 18 June 2012 21:40 (11 months ago) Permalink

no, don't get me wrong, like i said i dug the list. and it led me to some stuff, too. and it's not like i'm staying up nights angry because whiney didn't beg forgiveness.

i just think slagging everyone else left and right essentially for tacking "...so far" onto their lists and then 12 months later doing the xact same thing (w/ the ellipsis, even!) without poking some significant fun at yourself is not a great look. but whatever. the rules are different for different folks, i get that.

― alpine static, Monday, 18 June 2012 21:41 (11 months ago) Permalink

i totally just subscribed to spin! do not disappoint me, magazine!

― tylerw, Monday, 18 June 2012 21:52 (11 months ago) Permalink

http://open.spotify.com/user/mordys/playlist/0aq5ebip5SYtlPPZy9zcxg

― Mordy, Monday, 18 June 2012 22:59 (11 months ago) Permalink

― wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 18 June 2012 23:00 (11 months ago) Permalink

waiting to have time to sit down with the last three issues, queue up a playlist and really dig in.
this will happen.

― Authorities don't know who shot the 50 Cent the goose. (forksclovetofu), Monday, 18 June 2012 23:15 (11 months ago) Permalink

also attention whiney: i know you pooh poohed guided by voices at that CBGB show but cloud nothings are also playing if that's your thing.
no idea why it would be, but they're both on that playlist so

― Authorities don't know who shot the 50 Cent the goose. (forksclovetofu), Monday, 18 June 2012 23:17 (11 months ago) Permalink

Siinai are Finland's greatest krautrock band

Haven't actually heard Siinai, but that's some bold talk Whiney.

― Zaireeka Badu (NickB), Monday, 18 June 2012 23:17 (11 months ago) Permalink

They're pretty damn good!

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 18 June 2012 23:26 (11 months ago) Permalink

Apparently so!

― Zaireeka Badu (NickB), Monday, 18 June 2012 23:28 (11 months ago) Permalink

damn whiney you couldnt sneak a single good weirdo record on that list but you had room for cloud nothings???

― Lamp, Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:06 (11 months ago) Permalink

damn lamp you dont like a band called 'cloud nothings'???

― some dude, Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:08 (11 months ago) Permalink

thats a good joke but no they suck

― Lamp, Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:09 (11 months ago) Permalink

that was a damn fine list, i thought. would've liked to see just a little more mea culpa from whiney on twitter for doing a "so far" thing, though. dude gave a LOT of people/places shit for that last year.
― alpine static, Monday, June 18, 2012 5:21 PM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I did a week ago!

https://twitter.com/1000TimesYes/status/213284138302717954

damn whiney you couldnt sneak a single good weirdo record on that list but you had room for cloud nothings???
― Lamp, Monday, June 18, 2012 8:06 PM (22 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I think Sinaii, Beak>, Carter Tutti Void, Pallbearer and three footwork records is pretty good weirdo bait! I was stumping very hard for White Suns but couldn't get that one to stick. I'll be doing my 20 Avant Records list at the end of the year, no doubt.

tried reading that & just got caught on a loop of action bronson -> addison groove -> action bronson -> addison groove
― carly rae (flopson), Monday, June 18, 2012 4:35 PM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

refresh your cache

― la musica de harry frogbs (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:33 (11 months ago) Permalink

/Siinai are Finland's greatest krautrock band/
Haven't actually heard Siinai, but that's some bold talk Whiney.

You should hear the record; it's really, reallyincredible.

― Delbert Botts, D.D.S. (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:34 (11 months ago) Permalink

You guys can shit on the list all you want, but if I turn at least one person on to Sinaii, then I feel like I've done my part for the year!

Mordy, dope playlist. How many albums of the 40 aren;t on Spotify?

― la musica de harry frogbs (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:35 (11 months ago) Permalink

I'm having to refresh each page to see it

― fanute gingrich (The Reverend), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:49 (11 months ago) Permalink

This Air sounds good, though. I had written them off.

― fanute gingrich (The Reverend), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:49 (11 months ago) Permalink

xpost old firefox has some issues with the site. I say update it or use google chrome or \o_O/

― la musica de harry frogbs (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:50 (11 months ago) Permalink

love that air record, still have watched it with the movie!

― la musica de harry frogbs (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 00:53 (11 months ago) Permalink

I just updated my firefox today!

― fanute gingrich (The Reverend), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 01:00 (11 months ago) Permalink

Okay, I've got to check out Sinaii. I'm guessing you said what Nick quoted knowing that there is in fact seriously fierce competition for that title, right?

― emil.y, Tuesday, 19 June 2012 01:21 (11 months ago) Permalink

I think Sinaii, Beak>, Carter Tutti Void, Pallbearer and three footwork records is pretty good weirdo bait!

haha i disliked the cater tutti void record a lot and i didnt really like beak> either. im going to listen to pallbearer and sinaii tho...

― Lamp, Tuesday, 19 June 2012 01:22 (11 months ago) Permalink

xpost, yeah! I detailed a lot of em in my review!

― la musica de harry frogbs (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 01:23 (11 months ago) Permalink

Oh, hang on, I'll actually go read the thing, that might be an idea.

― emil.y, Tuesday, 19 June 2012 01:30 (11 months ago) Permalink

Sinaii was great

The Air album very good too

― wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 01:36 (11 months ago) Permalink

~~Sinaii~~ Siinai is real good!

― hot knives, wind was blowin' (Ówen P.), Tuesday, 19 June 2012 01:49 (11 months ago) Permalink

Yall can still stream the DJ Rashad off the site. It's my album of the year... SO FAR

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