RIU REVIEWERS

Rip It Up, Issue 170, 1 September 1991, Page 6

RIU REVIEWERS

There are a certain few RIU reviewers who don't seem to be giving struggling NZ artists a fair go. George Kay, Matthew Hyland and Shiree Love's regular criticisms leave impressions of putting their journalistic egos before what they are reviewing. I acknowledge their writing skills but too often the music takes second place to the musical politics and it's relative social-type issues (sometimes reviews have not even mentioned the music let alone describe it). This is frustrating forthose living outside the main cities as we do not often get to hear this material. A RIU review is often all we have to go on. For example, S.Love's State of Mind review — as there was no mention of where to get a copy, those interested miss out. Matthew Hyland has stated "tightness and professionalism don't excuse blandness..." These comments reflect a lack of understanding of basic principles in musicianship, thus insulting any proficient performer's musical standards. Obviously not a competent musician himself, why is he employed by a competent music paper? Unsigned alternative bands cannot survive this as they do not have the backing. A reasonably good or bad Wt/review can assist in the making or breaking of a new act. A lot of favouritism is given to the Auckland/Dunedin Flying Nun crowd (this is not the fault of these people as most often they have worked hard to get where they are). These biases tend to divide the alternative scene rather than build it and create factions and frictions within it. A change in attitude by some of the RIU reviewers could provide the much needed break for many bands. INC MUSIC MOUNT MAUNGANUI