“Rating an Album Using the 10-Point System”
Christian Music Review Style
Written by CMR Founder & Lead Review, Jay Heilman
Okay, we have 4 Review categories.
1. Message
2. Music
3. Production
4. Creativity
SECTION I – The Message
Our goal with Christian Music Review is to focus more on the message then any other part of the review. We believe as Christians we are to set our focus on
Christ and the things of Christ. Music in itself is a very influential force. If mainstream metal can inspire people to become violent and act in sadistic ways,
then Christian music should be able to teach, help to restore or minister and uplift the listener. So I think you should be able to discern the differences. A lot of
music out there that is labeled "Christian" may not appear so to some. I think as a Christian artist, your faith should be evident in your writing. Now I am not
saying you have to write a "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" or "Lord, Lord, Lord" song, but what I am saying is that you can tell a story about your life, your faith, your
walk with Christ, and the listener knows what and Who you are writing about. One of our former writers', Stacey Papanikos, used a scripture that really brings
out what we mean by this.
"But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost." 2 Corinthians 4:3 (KJV).
If we are to glorify God in all we do, music shouldn't be any exception.
The Bible also says that we will know people by the fruit they bare. Matthew 7:16 says "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or
figs of thistles?" I have interviewed artists who tell me that the Lord has lead them to write music (in a watered down fashion), and I am sorry, I just don't buy
that. I don't think God would tell someone, "Hide your faith, because we wouldn't want to offend anyone of talk about Me and the sacrifice that My Son made
for all of humanity. I forbid!" Somehow I highly doubt the Lord would say something like that! So why hide it in music?
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" and
Christ Himself said in Mark 8:38, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the
Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
A similar scripture, also the words of Christ is found in Matthew 10:33, "But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which
is in heaven."
That's what sets Christian Music Review apart from other review ministries. While there is nothing wrong with Christian entertainment, there is something
wrong with Christian music not being about Christ. The same people who complain that the world doesn't view Christmas for what it truly means are the same
ones that are fine with the music being masked as well.
Finally, to the grading of the message (and subsequent categories) ... Finally huh?! :)
When you look at the overall message of the album, you are going to be working with 4 points. You can use 0 - 4.0 points for message. Look at the album's
message. Is it obvious or apparent, or like Liz mentioned on The Afters – Never Going Back To OK album review. Is there discernment between "Loving God"
or "Loving a girl". You see? By message, we mean ministering value. If 25% of the songs are evident in not having any kind of message or could perhaps lead
the listener to believe that artist is talking about something not relating to God or Christ, then the album would receive a 3.0 in message.
Let's look at an album that has a really good message, but is not using the name of God or Christ at all, but you have no doubts that they are speaking of the
Lord, Jesus Christ or something Biblically-related, then it would get a 4.0 for Message. Look at the Book of Solomon in the Bible. It does not mention God's
name at all, but we all know that it was basically a love letter to God from Solomon. You see? It doesn't need to mention His name to be ministering.
Use your judgment when rating this. If you really honestly think that there is no message there, then be honest. Give the album an honest grade. While we
want to support the artists, we also want the album to benefit the listener spiritually that is going out and spending their money to buy the album. Also
remember, and this is very important. You will have your own musical preference and sometimes come across an album that you didn't enjoy, but remember,
this album could minister to someone, so keep that in mind too.
This category has a maximum score of 4 Points (40% of Final Rating)
Section II – The Music
Does the music match the words? Does the music sound good to you? Is it repetitive throughout the album? Does it sound exactly like someone else? Now in
sounding like someone else, I am not meaning style.
I will give you a perfect example. Kutless. People used to say that Kutless' first album sounded like a Creed rip-off. I agree in while Kutless' first album
sounded similar, I noticed a lot of differences. After all, who was Creed excused of ripping off? Pearl Jam. Even then, I noticed a huge difference in Pearl Jam
and Creed.
This is where your personal opinion comes in the most. After all, most people are drawn to the sound of the music, before the message is heard. So will this
CD 'catch' someone's ear, or will it simply 'tickle' someone's ear?
This category has a maximum score of 3 Points (30% of Final Rating)
Section III – The Production
This is kind of self explanatory. How well was the album produced? How well was it mixed? Did it flow nicely, or did it sound "chopped" up? It's not always
easy to do this grade. If you don't have that 'musical ear', you may not notice something that someone else hears.
This category has a maximum score of 2 Points (20% of Final Rating)
Section IV – The Creativity
This section of the review rating is worth only one point, but still accounts for 10% of the album total. This is where the uniqueness factor comes in. Does it
sound different then other albums you've heard? Does it have a style all it's own? Does it sound like the artist' previous album, or have they branched out into
uncharted waters? This category would also pertain to the concept of the album. Was it thought-provoking?
This category has a maximum score of 1 Point (10% of Final Rating)
A Perfect Score – Not For The Weak In Message !
This is a rating we don't just hand out. The album really has to earn this. But if it is, in your opinion, a 100 (A+), then be honest. Don't give it that to get the
review done quickly, or because every other album is great or that they are your favorite band in the world! Be honest in your writing.
Be detailed. Explain yourself. If something doesn't sit well with you, then express it. Be honest.
Here is a breakdown of a review...
[RATING] (Points) [1 Point = 10% & .10 Points = 1%]
MESSAGE: 1 2 3 4 ( Total Points Possible: 4 )
[4.0] .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
MUSIC: 1 2 3 ( Total Points Possible: 3 )
[3.0] .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
PRODUCTION: 1 2 ( Total Points Possible: 2 )
[2.0] .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
CREATIVITY: 1 ( Total Points Possible: 1 )
[1.0] .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
______________________________________________________________________________________
Total Score: Points: [10.0] Percentage: [100%] Letter Grade: [A+]
Here is how the grades breakdown...
(Similar but a little different then grades you had when you were in school)
90 - 100 = A [90-93 = A-; 94-96 = A; 97-100 = A+]
80 - 89 = B [80-83 = B-; 84-86 = B; 87-89 = B+]
70 - 79 = C [70-73 = C-; 74-76 = C; 77-79 = C+]
50 - 69 = D [50-60 = D-; 61-65= D; 66-69 = D+]
49 or Less = F [You get the picture!]
Christian Music Review Style
Written by CMR Founder & Lead Review, Jay Heilman
Okay, we have 4 Review categories.
1. Message
2. Music
3. Production
4. Creativity
SECTION I – The Message
Our goal with Christian Music Review is to focus more on the message then any other part of the review. We believe as Christians we are to set our focus on
Christ and the things of Christ. Music in itself is a very influential force. If mainstream metal can inspire people to become violent and act in sadistic ways,
then Christian music should be able to teach, help to restore or minister and uplift the listener. So I think you should be able to discern the differences. A lot of
music out there that is labeled "Christian" may not appear so to some. I think as a Christian artist, your faith should be evident in your writing. Now I am not
saying you have to write a "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" or "Lord, Lord, Lord" song, but what I am saying is that you can tell a story about your life, your faith, your
walk with Christ, and the listener knows what and Who you are writing about. One of our former writers', Stacey Papanikos, used a scripture that really brings
out what we mean by this.
"But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost." 2 Corinthians 4:3 (KJV).
If we are to glorify God in all we do, music shouldn't be any exception.
The Bible also says that we will know people by the fruit they bare. Matthew 7:16 says "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or
figs of thistles?" I have interviewed artists who tell me that the Lord has lead them to write music (in a watered down fashion), and I am sorry, I just don't buy
that. I don't think God would tell someone, "Hide your faith, because we wouldn't want to offend anyone of talk about Me and the sacrifice that My Son made
for all of humanity. I forbid!" Somehow I highly doubt the Lord would say something like that! So why hide it in music?
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" and
Christ Himself said in Mark 8:38, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the
Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
A similar scripture, also the words of Christ is found in Matthew 10:33, "But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which
is in heaven."
That's what sets Christian Music Review apart from other review ministries. While there is nothing wrong with Christian entertainment, there is something
wrong with Christian music not being about Christ. The same people who complain that the world doesn't view Christmas for what it truly means are the same
ones that are fine with the music being masked as well.
Finally, to the grading of the message (and subsequent categories) ... Finally huh?! :)
When you look at the overall message of the album, you are going to be working with 4 points. You can use 0 - 4.0 points for message. Look at the album's
message. Is it obvious or apparent, or like Liz mentioned on The Afters – Never Going Back To OK album review. Is there discernment between "Loving God"
or "Loving a girl". You see? By message, we mean ministering value. If 25% of the songs are evident in not having any kind of message or could perhaps lead
the listener to believe that artist is talking about something not relating to God or Christ, then the album would receive a 3.0 in message.
Let's look at an album that has a really good message, but is not using the name of God or Christ at all, but you have no doubts that they are speaking of the
Lord, Jesus Christ or something Biblically-related, then it would get a 4.0 for Message. Look at the Book of Solomon in the Bible. It does not mention God's
name at all, but we all know that it was basically a love letter to God from Solomon. You see? It doesn't need to mention His name to be ministering.
Use your judgment when rating this. If you really honestly think that there is no message there, then be honest. Give the album an honest grade. While we
want to support the artists, we also want the album to benefit the listener spiritually that is going out and spending their money to buy the album. Also
remember, and this is very important. You will have your own musical preference and sometimes come across an album that you didn't enjoy, but remember,
this album could minister to someone, so keep that in mind too.
This category has a maximum score of 4 Points (40% of Final Rating)
Section II – The Music
Does the music match the words? Does the music sound good to you? Is it repetitive throughout the album? Does it sound exactly like someone else? Now in
sounding like someone else, I am not meaning style.
I will give you a perfect example. Kutless. People used to say that Kutless' first album sounded like a Creed rip-off. I agree in while Kutless' first album
sounded similar, I noticed a lot of differences. After all, who was Creed excused of ripping off? Pearl Jam. Even then, I noticed a huge difference in Pearl Jam
and Creed.
This is where your personal opinion comes in the most. After all, most people are drawn to the sound of the music, before the message is heard. So will this
CD 'catch' someone's ear, or will it simply 'tickle' someone's ear?
This category has a maximum score of 3 Points (30% of Final Rating)
Section III – The Production
This is kind of self explanatory. How well was the album produced? How well was it mixed? Did it flow nicely, or did it sound "chopped" up? It's not always
easy to do this grade. If you don't have that 'musical ear', you may not notice something that someone else hears.
This category has a maximum score of 2 Points (20% of Final Rating)
Section IV – The Creativity
This section of the review rating is worth only one point, but still accounts for 10% of the album total. This is where the uniqueness factor comes in. Does it
sound different then other albums you've heard? Does it have a style all it's own? Does it sound like the artist' previous album, or have they branched out into
uncharted waters? This category would also pertain to the concept of the album. Was it thought-provoking?
This category has a maximum score of 1 Point (10% of Final Rating)
A Perfect Score – Not For The Weak In Message !
This is a rating we don't just hand out. The album really has to earn this. But if it is, in your opinion, a 100 (A+), then be honest. Don't give it that to get the
review done quickly, or because every other album is great or that they are your favorite band in the world! Be honest in your writing.
Be detailed. Explain yourself. If something doesn't sit well with you, then express it. Be honest.
Here is a breakdown of a review...
[RATING] (Points) [1 Point = 10% & .10 Points = 1%]
MESSAGE: 1 2 3 4 ( Total Points Possible: 4 )
[4.0] .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
MUSIC: 1 2 3 ( Total Points Possible: 3 )
[3.0] .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
PRODUCTION: 1 2 ( Total Points Possible: 2 )
[2.0] .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
CREATIVITY: 1 ( Total Points Possible: 1 )
[1.0] .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
______________________________________________________________________________________
Total Score: Points: [10.0] Percentage: [100%] Letter Grade: [A+]
Here is how the grades breakdown...
(Similar but a little different then grades you had when you were in school)
90 - 100 = A [90-93 = A-; 94-96 = A; 97-100 = A+]
80 - 89 = B [80-83 = B-; 84-86 = B; 87-89 = B+]
70 - 79 = C [70-73 = C-; 74-76 = C; 77-79 = C+]
50 - 69 = D [50-60 = D-; 61-65= D; 66-69 = D+]
49 or Less = F [You get the picture!]
| The On-Line Music Review & Information Ministry |
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| Review Rating System |
| Many people write to us asking how we approach the writing of our reviews. Well in simple words, we have a "Message-First" approach. But while that may not explain in detail as to what we're looking for and how we grade albums, below is a copy of the form that all of our ministry's writing team has a copy of. It goes to explain each of the four categories of our reviews. We hope that after reading this below that you will have a better understanding at what we look for! |