The Rating Scale: How I Rate Albums (and Why): 4/21/2022 Addendum

I feel like I should make clarifications and explanations as to how I rate things the way I do.

To state more clearly, I do not believe objectivity in any medium of art exists, and I think it’s a good thing that there are so many interpretations and viewpoints surrounding the same subject. The basis on which I rate albums critically is under a lens of using commonly accepted criteria to judge albums, as well as some things I consider personally important. For all forms of art, I examine: “What is this piece trying to communicate? How well are these ideas articulated? What is the weight of the information that’s expressed?”. These are what I consider the fundamental questions that art proposes, and must be answered. What’s exciting to me are the infinite number of conclusions every person can make based off of these questions.

There are many qualities that I look at when rating an album, including things like if the length of the album is purposeful in developing its central idea (whether long or short), how cohesive the work is as a whole, and how integral and meaningful each song as part of its album. If I notice a profound lack of a specific positive quality, or a specific quality demonstrated well, I make it a point to vocalize it in my review. 

To give a closer look at the scale itself, I’ve  listed each number and wrote some general descriptions of the guiding thoughts that lead to each rating. These are in line with my arbitrary numbers and critical ratings but may not perfectly reflect my raw personal enjoyment.

10.) “Masterpiece” This is the demonstration of fully fleshed out ideas; the highest level of the realization of concepts. Any flaws, if any, do not take away from the execution of the ideas presented. The album fully utilizes its parts and is able to create something greater and possibly new as a result.

9.) An incredible album with minor flaws at most. An album at this level might be considered “perfect”, but not a 10 because of an inability to come together and carry out its concepts to an elevated level.

8.) A great album that may have some issues, but nothing that severely impacts the quality of the work. Usually has at least two major features that work exceptionally well to service the advancements of the ideas it presents.

7.) A solid and enjoyable album, with a couple of flaws that keep it from being fully loved/being deserving of unabashed praise. 

6.) Concepts or the delivery of the concepts are not the greatest, and could even be improved, but they are a general “good”. Even if it doesn’t break the mold, it’s a respectable album with several enjoyable elements.

5.) A passable album, no work is done to have it stand apart from the rest and carve out its own identity. Playing it too safe and being too generic or having slightly interesting parts that don’t come to fruition could result in a five.

4.) A weaker album with few noticeable major flaws. With some tweaks and changes done, it can be considered decent.

3.) A truly weak album with multiple major flaws. Much work needs to be done for enjoyment/to be considered okay, but some potential might be seen if you squint hard enough.

2.) Needs an incredible amount of work to be done to consider anything of value. Flaws are present all throughout the album and listening becomes a chore.

1.) There are absolutely zero redeeming qualities. Any piece of the actual music strongly detracts from the value of the central message, which is already weak. Alternatively, the central message is so terrible that there could be no work that positively builds off of it.
0.) Actively (whether intentionally or unintentionally) goes against the qualities of what is commonly considered music.
Absolutely none of this matters, and I think that’s alright. This scale is inherently meaningless, but what gives it meaning is the personal contextualization that I give to each album I rate. And I don’t even think rating albums is all that important. Numbers work well as a shorthand for the feelings I have that are expressed by the review, which is what really matters to me. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that the point of this all is organization and discussion. If you disagree with how I do things, or have a completely different method with entirely different standards, that’s perfectly fine with me. My own art is the constant effort to improve the expression of my emotions through writing. This is a continuous journey filled with changes every single day, and all I can hope for is that you spend some time with me on this journey somewhere along the way.

With Passionate Ramblings,

Peach Fuzz