Quote:
Originally Posted by Crushgen24/88
but as a review it's a ****ing joke.
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As a review, it really is state of the art.
A review is not a minute by minute description of what happens at a concert, particularly when the audience is a national newspaper readership, which the writer has to assume has never so much as heard of the band. A review places a piece of art in context: how has the music evolved? What does it have to tell us about the world? how does it compare to other art and artists? A review informs, and if a criticism is made, you know "why" - exactly what prejudices the writer arrives with.
A
really good review can make you feel like you were at a show, or know for
certain you shouldn't have been there. Depending entirely on the reader's opinion of BJ, this could do either.
Nothing is written with Malice, the worst it should do is make you shake your head a little and think "well, I love them, anyway.
Inspite of that". You would have to admit you
do recognise the band he's talking about. Nothing is distorted an inch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crushgen24/88
The author doesn't discuss anything about the show
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In
400 words, he
- Makes it clear Bon Jovi's music is being reviewd on a level playing field to all other popular music
- Outlines the history and longevity of the band
- Tells the reader exactly where in society their cultural impact has been felt
- Presents both the highlights and the limitations of the show
- Doesn't slate Hallelujah for the sake of it, expands on the life of its own that the song has had, shows "why" Jovi's version doesn't work - Empty stage gestures, vs. considered, mysterious poetry.
- Describes Jon's stage personality in crystal clear terms. I got a little excited at the mention of "Sounds like church music to me, Baby" line.
- Lets you know that the review is written from the context of a Leonard Cohen Fan & that you are free to disagree if you choose
In fact, points out that the audience did just this.
- Shows you *how* a Bon Jovi show works; what the band has to do to keep an audience of 275,000 satisfied; what the gaps are between the rhetoric and the reality
Most importantly, it's an absolute joy to read. Funny as hell. Concluded perfectly. If as a fan, you can't recognise the band described and even raise a smile at the passage on Hallelujah, your sense of humour really has failed.