NME (NME)

Member Name: cobbie

Product:	NME
Date:	29/06/00 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: For the younger generation

Disadvantages: Biased opinions renders the reviews pointless

I recall me first copy of NME, around 1989, Inspiral Carpets on the front cover, Yellow background, faces pressed against an un-seen window...at 16, for most music fans, NME was the one to buy. Full of hip bands, cool newcomers and trendy "oldies" (Old being over 25!!).
I kept on buying it till i was 22, when i suddenly realised I was buying it week in, week out without actually reading it or finding it vaguely interesting (they didn`t cover the bands I liked).
The opinions expressed were nearly always biased - each writer seemed to have their own favourite bands and bands they disliked. Resulting in reviews becoming obvious - you knew if such-a-person reviewed band "A" then they would be slated, but if another person reviewed it, it would be called a classic.
Such reviews are a waste of time and tell you nothing about the album/single/band in question.
Unbiased opinions are needed in music magazines - when you`re 16 your wage packet doesn`t go a long way (come to think of it, it doesn`t now either), so knowing beforehand which albums are worth buying and which to avoid is important. You don`t need some writers inability to say "Yeah, thats a good album. I don`t like the band much, but i`m sure the fans will love the album it`s their best yet" or whatever.
Maybe if more than one person was to review albums/singles then you would get a better idea.
The best sections were the ON page where new bands were featured, this was usually where i turned to first, along with the news section (but stil no mention of MY favourite bands) and finally, the letters page - just for a laugh mainly.
As an overall opinion, I would say for youngsters, 5 Stars...for us "Oldies", 1 star.
A friend once told me that when you stop reading NME it`s a sign you`re growing old...she was probably right.

Summary: