I frequently write local music reviews and the publication I turn to the most for reliable critiques is the Independent Weekly. Music editor and Hopscotch Festival co-director Grayson Currin runs a tight ship when it comes to local music coverage and the reviews are based on a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the music industry, both local and national. Although he also contributes to national publications including Pitchfork, he helps maintain credibility with the reviews he runs in the publication's music section. In terms of accessibility, I find that the Indy Week's reviews much more accessible than the muddled, snooty ones featured on Pitchfork.
During my first year on staff with Diversions, I reviewed Inspector 22's Hey Man, I Understand pretty harshly. My editor at the time was originally reluctant to run the review because it was blatantly unfavorable to the local community. When the Independent Weekly ran a more neutral/slightly positive critique (written by Currin), my negative review offered some competition so it was included in our paper. Despite the fact I look back now and realize I was perhaps a little to harsh in some areas and my writing could have been more objective (I also received a nasty Facebook message from a supposed fan), I still think providing a variety of reviews regarding a subject is the key to insuring a sense of objectivity in the rather subjective field of music journalism.
Overall, my position on Diversions has taught me that we really don't owe anything to local musicians except to give them all a chance to be exposed--thus favorable or not, reviews should be published. (I have come across a few local musicians who think they are entitled to good reviews because we they are "owed" local credibility. That's really NOT the case.)
