With little or no hoopla attached, Gnarls Barkley and The Raconteurs quietly released sophomore records this week to an unprepared public. They committed a major music biz faux pas by not pre-releasing their work to music journalists to review and mull over. Instead of the usual pre-release –> review –> actual record release, the bands are (more or less) attempting to get the music into fans’ hands before reviewers tell them what they should think about it. Raconteur and White Stripe alike, Jack White, especially, expressed concern in regard to the current state of the music industry and is attempting to make a change. Some critics are outraged as they see the preemptive releases as the decline of “scholarly criticism” and encouragement of any and everybody to write their own reviews instead of listening to experts (like watching Boogie Nights and then shooting your own porno). As a total elitist and resident d-bag, I can see their point. However, I have had several records ruined for me by reading reviews before I heard it for myself. While it’s my own fault, I can’t help but wonder what a nice change it would be to make my own musical judgements after a week of listening and not have to privately compare my day-old verdict to Rolling Stone or, even worse, Pitchfork. As a musician and a fan, screw the industry. Yeah, I’m tough.

–Billy Yost

 Check out:

The Raconteurs- “Consolers of the Lonely”

Gnarls Barkley- “The Odd Couple”