YOU WILL BE WORKING ON AN ALBUM REVIEW.
If you quote something from a published source, make sure it is PROPERLY CITED.
All Album Reviews must be on artists/bands from the time frame covered (1930-1990’s). It can be any band/artist, but their carer must have started BEFORE 2000. You may use their latest release if you wish.
Your Album Review (no longer than TWO PAGES) Please include the following on the top left corner of the 1st page.
NAME OF GROUP/PERFORMER:
INSTRUMENTS OR VOCALS USED:
NAME SOME OF THE SONGS/PIECES THAT ARE ON THE RECORDING Use a few examples to illustrate your points in the following sections. If you are reviewing a “Concept Album” such as “Thick as a Brick” where there is only one piece, use relative time markings (five minute mark-does not have to be precise). Also, indicate what influences are present in the performers style and compare/contrast that with performers and styles that preceded them. Identify song formats (AABA, 12 bar blues), and describe the style the album fits into (Disco, Folk, New Wave).
NAME SOME OF THE MUSICAL/PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES THAT WERE USED You must try to use some musical vocabulary here and explain the musical terms in the context of the recording. This can be a listing of musical or production techniques but you must explain the terms and how they were evident in the making of the album. This is where you will have to do some research on how they played, and how the album was recorded.
WHAT WAS YOUR OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE RECORDING? WRITE A BRIEF SUMMARY OR DESCRIPTION. This assignment is about being an “engaged listener” and then attempting to put what you hear into musical terms, which is quite different from saying whether you liked it or not. Discuss the impact or significance the album had within the context of history, style and culture. To a certain extent, some subjective observations will be made; for example, a piece might sound like a blues to you, even though in strictly musical terms that is not the case. All that is asked is that you try your best at grappling with the MUSIC, and not just reporting your own impressions.
You must use an actual “ALBUM” not a mix of your favorite songs by an artist or band.
