pitchfork is dumb (#34985859340293849494 in a series.)

Another review which doesn't tell you a whole lot about what the music actually sounds like. (There's a brief paragraph about the backing tracks just before the end.)

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/run-the-jewels-rtj4/

that's annoying cause the production is largely what keeps that record down imho

that's a good review, you should know what Run the Jewels sounds like by now

Though I think this sentence (which hyperlinks to his Atlanta speech) is trying to truffle-fry Killer Mike

While his real-world politics aren’t as anarchic as his songs, sound bites, and even shirts suggest, and his black capitalist position does defang his “eat the rich” sloganeering some, Mike is still capable of reeling off devastating combinations in that rubbery voice of his.

Despite his apparent lack of a body count, "Killer" Mike...

"Mad Dog" Mattis.

eh... that's a stretch

"his positions are more nuanced than his slogans would suggest" is not nearly as blatant or puerile an attempt at shaming as "noted music revolutionary eats truffle fries in a fancy hotel restaurant"

that's a good review, you should know what Run the Jewels sounds like by now

No, I think a review should try a bit harder than just doing a big long run-through of the lyric sheet. The vast majority of people in the world don't know who Run The Jewels are, let alone have familiarity with the intricacies of their sound. Their last album got to 13 in the US and 38 in the UK. They're not a household name.

the vast majority of people in the world aren't going to Pitchfork.com to read about some band they've never heard of, but go off

this is one of the weirdest ILX bugbears. like is not the most tedious part of any 33 1/3 book when the writer goes through like a chapter going "then the vocals leap up in a dynamic swoop as cymbals crash and a plodding bassline thuds like a hailstorm, a crescendo that leads to the chorus" about an album you've heard 20 times and can pull up on Spotify any time

... no? The most tedious part is the section where the author talks about how as song reminds him how sad he is that Johnny doesn't call him back anymore and describes Johnny's backpack for five pages.

fine, second-most tedious

is not the most tedious part of any 33 1/3 book when the writer goes through like a chapter going "then the vocals leap up in a dynamic swoop as cymbals crash and a plodding bassline thuds like a hailstorm, a crescendo that leads to the chorus" about an album you've heard 20 times and can pull up on Spotify any time

depends on the writer

I don't think I follow what we're complaining about anymore lol

it's not a binary, ladies and gentlemen

A writer can provide historical context and explain how a song works; in my experience the two are interdependent.

A bunch of the Sunday reviews have done that well I think

one person who does it well posted nineteen minutes ago

it's not a binary, ladies and gentlemen
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, June 5, 2020 7:31 PM (nineteen minutes ago)

A writer can provide historical context and explain how a song works; in my experience the two are interdependent.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, June 5, 2020 7:36 PM

A bunch of the Sunday reviews have done that well I think
― k*r*n koltrane (Simon H.), Friday, June 5, 2020 7:47 PM

one person who does it well posted nineteen minutes ago
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, June 5, 2020 7:50 PM

lol it's obv I meant Br@d, right?

it's a good lol though

That was pro, ulysses

this is one of the weirdest ILX bugbears. like is not the most tedious part of any 33 1/3 book when the writer goes through like a chapter going "then the vocals leap up in a dynamic swoop as cymbals crash and a plodding bassline thuds like a hailstorm, a crescendo that leads to the chorus" about an album you've heard 20 times and can pull up on Spotify any time

I actually like when an insightful writer breaks down a song (musically) to explain what makes it work -- the 33 1/3 book on Dummy did a pretty good job of this (to give 1 example). I find the sections that do a close reading of the lyrics to be a lot more superfluous.
Also, daily pitchfork reviews are reviewing new albums, so presumably you haven't heard them 20 times already.

I enjoyed all of the music theory in the 33 1/3 on Aja.

Former poster col did it quite well in his Bowie books.

Oh, I had no idea that he ever posted here! (I know him exclusively through Twitter.)

Is that him what wrote Colony and the book on Low?

Alfred's talking about Chris O'Leary (also didn't know he posted here though!)

No, I believe he's the one behind the Pushing Ahead of the Dame Bowie song-by-song blog and the two resulting books compiled from that.

he posted here at the height of Eagles/Elton madness.

A Good Day In Hell - The Official ILM Track-By-Track EAGLES Listening Thread

That makes me feel better! Colony was excellent, the 33 1/3 on Low not so much.

I am optimistic that soneday someone will figure out how to write about music

DON: Well, yeah.

I haven't been able to access this cursed site for the last 2 days

it doesn't open on safari on my iphone. hasn't for a long time.

I'm using chrome on an android phone and my laptop. Usually works fine.

no worries, i'll fill you in

kate nv is 8.0 good, but not 8.3 BNM good
haim is on tiny desk
sandy alex g is now alex g again
a new song was shared, appearances were made on late night shows
huey lewis maintains a good sense of humor about his life and career

Can't believe I'm missing that Huey Lewis piece

Huey Lewis dealing with losing his hearing and career is a lot more interesting than most

Also:

The Best IPAs of 2020 (So Far)

Big IPAs (High Tides and Green Grass)

on the plus side the Modern Nature band they reviewed today is fucking awesome how did I not know about this band???

Huey Lewis dealing with losing his hearing

the huey lewis video is great

i was a little bummed by the new Modern Nature release, but their album from last year (I think) was awesome.

bonus if you like both, ums

both of those Ultimate Painting guys seem to be pretty much worth following no matter what they do.

did anyone cancel or postpone a tour due to Covid?

alpine - all new to me will check out the other one

A statement from Pitchfork Union: https://t.co/YHs9sUVY7u pic.twitter.com/0uz5dIeVCK

— Pitchfork Union (@p4kunion) June 18, 2020

yeah, some big shit