After all, it has worked for so many (I include hipster blogs such as Pitchfork into this category). I for one argue otherwise and feel that reviews are best put to use in order to expose artists who are less likely to receive broad attention. A kind of music curator, if you will.

But what is subjectivity when it comes to reviewing other people’s music? Does a reviewer simply judge the music on the merits itself, or take the whole context into consideration? For example, how would you score an album that generally sounds good but sounds like it came straight out of the 70s? Or indeed, would an album containing standard catchy retro pop-tracks outscore an experimental album, which ‘pushes the envelope’ yet is perhaps slightly harder to love?

And what if the music you’re reviewing happens to fall under the ‘many shades of crap’ category (Justin Bieber or Peter Pan anyone?)? Do you decline reviewing it out flat for avoiding negativity or is that defeating the purpose of the exercise? Should you only stick to albums you’re already more likely to enjoy? If you do decide to review an artist you’re almost certain to tear apart, is that fair considering musical tastes are always subjective?

What is your take on a subjective music review?