Reviewing Reviewers

So meta.

Although there is not a particular reviewer I can point to, the Rolling Stone is definitely in my top tier publication-wise.

Their appreciation of classic rock paired with their ability to discern inspired talent from the rest, across a multitude of genres, gives them their edge. It's refreshing to hear what current music Hendrix fans are listening to, because Dad won't give Eminem a chance.

But it's not just their ability to untangle the good from the popular that is commendable, it's their proficiency at honing in on what exactly makes the good good.

Take, for example, their examination of the catchiness of the Black Keys' newest release:

The single "Lonely Boy" works the same way, launched on a gnarly, looped guitar riff whose last note slides down like a turntable that someone keeps stopping. Then a sugar-crusted keyboard comes in, along with what sounds like a boy-girl chorus, changing the swampy chug into a seductive singalong.

The level of scrutiny applied here is strict, to say the least.

The Rolling Stone boasts the aptitude of pinpointing exactly what's happening in a song, for better or for worse. It's the attention to detail and the apparent thought behind the critique that makes them worth the $12.99 subscription.