I have come across writers that reviewed their friend's albums and I have
come across others that would not. My opinion is that each writer has to
decide his/her own line.

I'm not convinced that it's inappropriate for a liner notes author to review
a CD for which they wrote the notes. If Jud Cost say reviewed a CD in his
Magnet re-issues section for which he wrote the liner notes (not that he
would or has), I'd just figure that he was super enthusiastic about an album
that few have heard. And I want to know about those records.

Michael

> I've struggled with trying to figure out where the line is crossed and
> disclosure is necessary.  I would like to think that I'm even more
critical
> of artists whom I know, though I'm probably more tactful (though I
generally
> like to take the constructive criticism, a la Trouser Press, tack anyway).
>
> I don't think holds true merely for small scenes.  I certainly see the
local
> press here jockeying for access to Wilco, and I think that affects how
their
> music (and side projects) is viewed.  Then again, I presume these writers
> for bigger publications don't have such a close relationship with Jeff
> Tweedy, for example.
>
> Wondering what the code of ethics is...
>
> Mike Bennett
>
> Record reviews and more at http://fufkin.com
>
>
> >From: bob_hutton@standardlife.com
>
> >One thing I would say:  I noticed that the guy (Kieran Tyler?) who wrote
> >the piece in MOJO is actually the same guy who wrote the sleeve-notes for
> >the CD and is credited as the executive producer, or something like that.
> >I thought the MOJO blurb was written by an independant journalist.  Call
me
> >old-fashioned, but I think that writing up a piece for a music mag,
without
> >declaring that you have a vested interest in the product is frankly
> >dishonest (although I am sure it happens often).
> >
> >What do others reckon?
>
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