Talk:Writing a Good Review

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Overview

Writing a good review requires imagination, wit, analysis and honesty. The goal is not to hype or promote the artist, nor to harass or destroy them. The goal is to write well about music.

This Wiki focuses on the basic principles involved in writing about music, whether for a Live at KDHX article, a concert review, an interview or any other type of article.

Guidelines

Headlines

Headlines should be between 6 to 12 words in length, 15 maximum. If quotes are required, use single quotes instead of double quotes. Some of the headlines used at KDHX are strictly formatted, while others are typical "hook" style newspaper style. Specific information and examples by article category are provided below.

Very Important!

  • Each headline contained in our database must be unique, otherwise there will be issues getting your article to display correctly on the website.
  • Before you save any article for the first time, check, check and re-check your title for accuracy. This is the one field that cannot be changed easily after it is initially saved.
  • If either of the above instances occur, please contact the Web Administrator or kelly at kdhx.org, advising the name of the incorrect headline. You can then begin a new article using the correct headline. The article with the incorrect headline will be deleted from the system.
  • Changing case of characters is the exception. If you saved as "jason isbell," you can easily change to "Jason Isbell" without repercussion.

Album Reviews

The headline for an album review should contain the name of the Artist/Band, with the Album title surrounded by single quotes.
- ex. St. Vincent continues to grow on her latest, self-titled album
- ex. Elephant crafts an ethereal debut on 'Sky Swimming'
- ex. Darol Anger invites and inspires old-time music fans on 'E-and'a'

All Aboard for Fun Times

All of these articles have the same title, with the date being the only unique item.
All About for Fun Times: St. Louis show highlights for [Month] [Day(s)], [Year]
- ex. All About for Fun Times: St. Louis show highlights for February 10-11, 2016

Charting the Music

Charting the Music article headlines are strictly formatted as Charting the Music: [Artist/Band name], '[Album title]'
Use single quotations around the Album title.
- ex. Charting the Music: Beth Bombara, 'Beth Bombara'
- ex. Charting the Music: Chris Stapleton, 'Traveller'

Concert Photos

Titles are strictly formatted and include the prefix "Concert photos:"
Concert photos: [Headliner] with [Supporting acts] at [Venue], [Day of Week], [Month and Date]
- ex. Concert photos: The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers at The Stage at KDHX, Friday, February 12
- ex. Concert photos: Brothers Lazaroff (with The Fog Lights and Whoa Thunder) at Off Broadway, Friday, February 5

Concert Reviews

The Concert review headline should be written in newspaper style.
- ex. Twangfest celebrates Neil Young with St. Louis' best in Americana
- ex. mr. Gnome's Wild Ride at the Firebird
- ex. Ringing in the New Year with the River Kittens, Hooten Hallers and Pokey LaFarge at the Pageant

Film Review

Film review headlines should have the Film Title, surrounded by single quotes, and a strong verb phrase.
- ex. ‘The Zero Theorem’ probes existential questions
- ex. Playing games trumps ‘Video Games: The Movie’
- ex. ‘Land Ho!’ meanders, adrift without a plot

Interviews

If using a quote from the interview in your headline, surround it with single quotes.
- ex. Pü Fest returns to St. Louis as Tü Fest: An interview with Mike Herr and Patrick Boland
- ex. 'If you have hope, you're gonna dream' An interview with Thelonius Kryptonite
- ex. 'I try to make music that's always at least five or six years from now' An interview with Lamar Harris

Live Performances

Live Performances are strictly formatted as [Band Name] MM/DD/YY
- ex. Matt Stansberry & The Romance 1/9/16
- ex. Dave Stone Trio 4/12/14

Performing Arts: Cabaret, Classical Music, Theater, etc.

The Concert review headline should be written in newspaper style.
- ex. ‘Holli Dazzle Naughty or Nice Cabaret’ adds a touch of spice to the holidays
- ex. The St. Louis Symphony announces its 2016/17 season
- ex. A literally toe-tapping experience: Riverdance's 20th Anniversary
- ex. Kay Martin Love's 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' is...well...fun
- ex. Symphony Preview, January 22, 2016: Love is in the air
- ex. Class of 2014: Five St. Louis art graduates to watch

Song of the Day

Song of the Day article headlines are strictly formatted as Song of the Day: '[Album title]' by [Artist/Band name]
Use single quotations around the Album title.
- ex. Song of the Day: 'Queen Mary' by Francine Thirteen
- ex. Song of the Day: 'Crooked River' by Dana Falconberry

The Lede

The lede, or the first sentence of an article, should draw the reader in with a clever line, a powerful image, a controversial (but defensible) assertion, an original observation, or just a great sentence. It should also be concise with no more than 30 words.

The Body Text

  • Include brief and accurate biographical information that is relevant to the review. If an artist is less known, more biography may be necessary, but should never exceed 4-5 sentences.
  • Double-check all facts and spelling of song titles and names used in the article.
  • Discuss both the sound of the songs and any existing lyrics. Solely focusing on one or the other will not provide a complete picture for the reader.
  • Evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and support those points where relevant.
  • A good review will avoid obvious cliches like pounding drums, scorching guitar, killer solo, unique voice, interesting lyrics, catchy hooks, pop goodness, etc.
  • Try to convey the emotion and musical content of the performance. The review should make the reader see, feel and all hear the performance through the written word.
  • Be descriptive and analytical, rather than just throw out a recommendation. Never use phrases like “This performance didn't disappointed," or "this band is sure to please," or anything similar.
  • A standard piece should be approximately 300-500 words, but a longer length is fine.

Notes on style

  • Focus on describing the band’s sound and style, rather than hyping or promoting them.
  • Use metaphors and images to convey the sound. A creative comparison can be both evocative and entertaining for your readers.
  • Keep exclamation points and cliches to a minimum.
  • Generally speaking, avoid the first person (I, we).
  • Be attentive to your adjectives. Keep them fresh and relevant. Avoid overused modifiers like interesting, unique, perfect, emotional, soulful etc. The word very can almost always be cut.
  • Use active verbs. Do not rely on passive voice or "to be" verbs (is, are, was, were, etc.).
  • When you have completed a satisfying draft, read the piece out loud, listening to the language. Revise to improve any awkward or unclear phrases.
  • Avoid unnecessary repetition.
  • DO NOT plagiarize! If you rely on outside sources like an online biography, press releases or Wiki pages, you must never merely rephrase or rehash -- let alone copy verbatim -- that material. Please review our Plagiarism and syndication information for policy clarification.

Sites that regularly feature reviews

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