How to Review an Album

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Listen to the album multiple times

   You don't want to write a review solely based on first impressions.
   
   Read the album cover while you listen, for an overview about the band/singer.
   
   You can also read other reviews or ask others for their opinion, to ascertain common attitudes towards the band/singer's genre and previous work.
   
   This is just background work; you won't be slavishly recycling old opinion from others.
2. 2

   Step 2: giving yourself a chance to really understand what is going on in the music.

   You may want to write out an outline if that helps you organize your thoughts. , This information is especially important for a debut album, but less so if the musicians are superstars, or if you would expect most readers in your intended audience to be familiar with the band.
   
   If the celebrity is a standalone singer, still give information such as where are they from. , You want the reader to get as much of a sense of what the music sounds like as possible. ,, This will stay with the readers and help them to decide whether or not to buy the album.
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   Step 3: Think about what points you want to make in your review.

4. 4

   Step 4: Give basic information about the band

5. 5

   Step 5: such as where they are from

6. 6

   Step 6: the members' names

7. 7

   Step 7: and the instruments they play.

8. 8

   Step 8: Discuss the album's background

9. 9

   Step 9: including where it fits in the context of the band/singer's career and what possible influences they might have.

10. 10

    Step 10: Review particular tracks that stand out

11. 11

    Step 11: either because they are great or not so great.

12. 12

    Step 12: Summarize your feelings about the album in your final sentence.

Detailed Guide

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