Some stats jock has done a very thorough analysis of PFK's ratings history -- things like what the real median is (it's not 5.0), how the score relates to best new music (loosely, but 8.6 and over guarantees it) etc.
It's pretty thought-provoking. If you're a geek like me, you should read it.
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This guy chose the right time to crack the numbers. For me, 2009 was a horrid year for PFM best new music awards. I can see giving it away to Cass McCombs and Camera Obscura, but doing so with 8 point something as a rating makes the award look disingenuous. I've read PFM for years now and it used to be ratings well north of 9 got BNM status. Last year with it in the 8 range drove me nuts. Very low bar. This needs to be a distinction not a merit badge. They used to trash records and now they're loving 'em too much. Giving BNM to reissues drives me nuts, too. Thanks for posting this, Jen.
I don't really like numbers ratings, or understand them, really.
But it certainly has an impact, so I can see why they do them.
BTW, I like the Quasi sort of medium. Fun to listen to, nowhere near top ten, that kind of thing.
Thanks for the link Jennifer.
I did some number crunching of my own with my favorites from 2009. Out of 31 albums on my list, one made BNM status (at 8.5). Twelve albums were reviewed, ranging from two 6.4 ratings to an 8.5. Nineteen albums were not reviewed or rated by PFM.
My conclusion: The albums that I enjoyed most were not reviewed or rated by PFM. The BNM status is a pretty handy guide after all ;)
Hey, Clif, most of my absolute favorites land in the 7.0-ish area. P4k and I obviously share a universe, but not a viewpoint within it, which is fine. I'm a lot older than most of their readers. There's no reason our tastes should line up.
Are you excited about any of the bands coming to your town in a couple of weeks for SXSW?
I saw Yahowa 13 on the sked somewhere...no idea they were still at it.
This old fart can't wait to see Man or Astroman? again. Cheap Trick at Auditorium Shores. Roky Erickson and Okkervil River with The Riverboat Gamblers, and Sixteen Deluxe at the Threadgills' ice cream social...
Going through the massive list of shows this weekend. (I've already forgotten to which parties I've RSVPed to.)
Suggestions are always welcome...
Cheers!
Oh that sounds fun. I wish I were going. I haven't been looking at lists because it'll be too depressing.
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