This document provides instructions for writing an album review in 3 steps: listen to the full album, research the artist and album, then write the review addressing the artist's background, impressions of songs, an overall rating, and concluding comments. The review introduction should name the artist and album, describe the music type, and provide overall impressions. The body should discuss the artist's history, song meanings and lyrics, unique elements, and comparisons to other works.

1. How to write an album review
Christopher Baker
Music in Context
www.musicstudentinfo.com

2. Album Review How To

3. Instructions
Directions: While listening to your chosen Album use
the following outline to help you prepare to write a
review.
You may not need to address all of the suggested topics
or questions, but use them as prompts in order to write
an informative review.

4. Find your choice!

5. Love
• Write about what you LOVE!
• Pick one of your favorite albums to write about.
• It will make the process so much more enjoyable.

6. Listen to the Album in Full!
Before writing Listen to the Album in Full

7. Album Review Take time!
• Take time to listen!
• Before writing, listen to the album from start to
finish!
• Jot down any impressions you have.
• These ideas are your emotional responses.
• How would you communicate the sound of the
album in words?
• The reader is interested in what the music means to
YOU and why it moves YOU.

8. How to Album Review Introduction
A. Name of musician/band
B. Name of song/CD
C. Type of music
D. Overall impressions

9. Album Review How to
Musician or Band Background
A. List of participating musicians and instruments used
B. Background
• How long have they been around?
• Are they well known in the music scene?
C. Previously released CDs or songs
D. How does this CD or song compare to others by this
group or artist?

10. Album Review How to
Song/CD
• Explain the meaning of the song or CD
• Quote some lyrics
• Explain how the song is a reflection of the musician
or band

11. Album Review How to
Impressions and Opinions
A. Impressions after thorough listening (justify your
opinion)
B. Unique elements of the song or CD
C. Comparison to another band, song, or artist

12. Album Review How to
Overall rating and final comments
A. Rate on a scale of 1-10
B. Will fans be happy or disappointed?
C. Concluding comments

13. Summary In a nutshell

14. Album Reviewing in a Nutshell
• Make your opinion known up front!
• Within the first few sentences, let your reader know
why this album is worth listening to.
• Research! Find out everything you can about the
album.
• Read about the artist and their influences.
• Can you hear these influences in the music?

15. Album Reviewing in a Nutshell
• What is the social context that the artist operates in?
• Do you think this has made an impact on the
artist's style?
• The reader is interested in hearing your response to
the album, but your review will be made even
stronger with the support of outside research.
• You don’t need to mention every song; instead,
choose a couple of examples to back up your point.
• Consider: Lyrics, Rhythm, Originality, Sequence of
songs, Comparison to past albums

16. Album Review How to