This is the very first effort of mine. So be gentle. Please. I'm fairly new to the whole making of websites malarky. Here is a little something I thought I'd say…

It was only when I decided to begin reviewing records that I realised quite what a difficult process it is. I have to transpose my subjective opinion of the music created by others. But who am I to judge? I fear that perhaps I may misinterpret the music or associate it negatively with something that I dislike. I may even unconsciously hold the view held by something I once heard/read. I know that music should be judged on its own merits but the fact that I focus mainly on music which is very far from the charts shows that I am prejudiced against music which is popular, preferring music which is generally more daring, experimental, interesting and better to listen to.

The first judgement I make on a record is on its sleeve. As I am still part of the 'soon to be extinct' process of buying music, I firstly encounter the sleeve (along with the price). A sleeve can portray many things: it could have a picture of the band showing us how attractive or cool they (think they) look or it could be an image of the kind of image the music is attempting to create. The latter approach is generally taken by the more pretentious (yet more traditionally artistically minded) post-rock bands. It is good to see some thought go into a sleeve though.

Once I have whipped out my NUS card (at which point I see the smile of the Jumbo Records worker fade) and purchase the record, I have the train journey home to inspect the inner sleeve of my goods and read all the lyrics (if there are any) hopelessly out of context.

When I finally get the cd or vinyl onto my system (bloody hell this is a long-winded process…you seemed to say) I judge what I hear on various factors:

1. its immediate impression (usually the first minute of the first song) - does it sound good?
2. its growing factor - does it 'grow on me'? Will I like it first time but hate it after four listens?
3. its possible uses - Is it good for parties, for getting to sleep, for getting happy/depressed to? Will any of my chart-minded friends like it?
4. finally, a comparison to the artist's back catalogue or to artists of a similar genre. Have they progressed since their last efforts? Does it take any chances or make any new sounds? Do I get that gorgeous artistic hazy feeling on the back of my neck when I hear a golden chord change or vocal harmony? DO I LIKE IT?

I know it sounds like an incredibly cynical, mechanical process going from a) to d), but really that isn't how it works. It is only when I analyse it that I realise this. Simply, it's a case of: listen to it a few times, do I like it? There, easy.

Last note before I launch shamefully into my self-conscious womblings (or reviews). If anyone wishes to send me their music I will be delighted to listen to it/review it. There are few things in life I enjoy more than receiving puzzling large packages in the post only to discover it is the blood and sweat of someone's artistic genius summed up in a scribbled-on cassette. Well there are some things I enjoy more like…..

Also, send me letters, bricks, discs, tapes, drugs, cds, whatever…I may even print some letters if I can think of a witty enough reply to them. If it's just abuse, then as Chemikal Underground would say, "Get it up ye". That's you told isn't it.