NME Singles Review 9/2/2011
A couple of weeks ago I was asked by the NME to write a selection of singles reviews for them. I enjoy writing, and am a fan of the NME so was very flattered and keen to contribute to the magazine.
One of the singles that was included was ‘Becoming A Jackal’ by Villagers.
My very brief review of it read as follows:
HIS NAME IS CONOR AND HE SOUNDS LIKE BRIGHT EYES!!! Yes, but Cristiano turned out every bit as good as Fat Ronaldo, right? Decent song, thumbs up.
This is what the NME printed:
Throughout the published version of my reviews, adjustments were made to my copy. I appreciate slight stylistic changes and the necessity to adhere to a word count that perhaps I wasn’t spot on with, so, however frustrating it may be that they added phrases like “coloured glittered vinyl”, “magical simile-making hat” and made me pun on some of the song titles, I can understand why that was done.
However, in the above they have put words into my mouth, quoting me as insulting a musician that I had no desire to insult and also suggested I drew attention to it being a re-release. I used to slag other bands off a lot, and I quickly realised how foolish that was and have become embarrassed by it.
To me, the NME’s behaviour here seems very unfair and unprofessional. I realise such a small amount of writing is of little consequence, but I don’t think the NME kept their side of the bargain.
I just wanted to clear that up, thank you.
Bastards.
Proof that NME are a load of cunts.
Apparently they’ve done this before (the pretty one from the Drums even sent a letter about it) – I can’t really see how they can get away with it.
Of course the big crime is that they used a two year out of date analogy…
I’d be fuming – hope they apologise.
Bizarre.
You do have ‘moral rights’ on your writing – it’s kind of like additional copyright that you keep even when someone else owns the copyright and it covers things like attribution, and alterations. I don’t know the specifics of how it works in the UK though, only what it’s like in Australia.
As an occasional journalist I have to say this happens all the time. Editors and subs just can’t help themselves apparently.
who is Liam Fray?
Bummer. Kinda have to expect it with the NME though, they haven’t exactly been a bastion of integrity of late. Or, y’know, ever.
NME sucks. Plain and simple.
That’s poor. Well done for speaking up.
oh. dear.
NME bad / Ronaldo good.
New, trimmed Ronnie is probably going end up scoring more than him. You’ve given Villagers a tough challenge to beat there! Ha
One upon a time I feared an editor wouldn’t remove the comment, “Hitler, the loveable rogue” from my article before it was published, that I had put in as some sort of ghastly in-joke.
I have to say, I’d rather that than them putting whole chunks of words in my hand. The odd one is justifiable, but crappy slurs like that can poo-off. I suspect this is why almost every sentence in NME sounds like it was written by the same smug, over-excited, 17 year old. x
Liam Fray is they guy from The Courteeners I think and Fat Ronaldo has retired this week shame that
A shame to because I have seen Connor live and he has been nothing more then pleasant and kind when performing. He’s a very warm person, doesn’t deserve this sort of treatment from NME and neither do you, Gareth.
I’ve seen them live a few months ago, and they were wonderful. It was my first time hearing them and during the son where he says “I’ll be your fever” I looked over to my friend and said it was like a Irish Bright Eyes. I bought thier record that night.
Thanks a lot for the article post.Thanks Again. Great.