Why in the world would they ever review Madonna?
Me = more baffled than usual

Madonna's better than at least half what they do review.
She doesn't do my kind of music, but I can't deny that.

They've reviewed Madonna before I think. I'm pretty sure they did her last album.

If a site is going to review every half-assed "Wire wants to be Beefheart by way of Depeche Mode done by people who weren't even born when Black Celebration came out" muddled mundanity that comes down the pike, why shouldn't they review Madonna?

amen, Frosted. She is relevant...I am into indie rock AND Madonna.

In case you haven't noticed, Pitchfork almost always reviews big releases, usually shoots them down but once in a while they like a big record.

Also notice how their singles of the year chart is usually big hip hop/pop singles.

<---still thinks pitchfork is an ok site to learn about new music.

Same reason they reviewed that last Metallica album - a chance to rip her apart.

Yep:

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/19638/Madonna_Confessions_on_a_Dance_Floor

i'm disappointed--it took you a whole hour to respond

I think this thread seperates those who have 'got into the groove' from those who remain 'grooveless'.

people think about pitchfork too much.
and this coming from someone who posts on hipinion.

I think Pitchfork should concentrate on recommending albums that people should buy, instead of reviewing things people will buy and arguing they shouldn't.

not saying i disagree, but if you missed it . . .

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/f ... cords_2006

I am just waiting for the Obner's own Madonna Club to chime in in full effect.

*evades imminent verbal abuse*

Madge is a cow, but she deserves reviews as much as the next cow

Based on your comments in this thread (and others) I think we may be dealing with The World's Oldest Living Waterhead.

This may be the best quote I don't get in the history of the board. Maybe.

I think they should review mainstream records and compare them to non-commercial albums of a similar style or genre to see where this pop artist is getting inspiration and to show where a successful artists is being experimental/progressive and not.
They shouldn't just blatantly rip an album because it is highly commercial, but they also shouldn't remain exclusively indie and obscure in the eyes of mainstream music fans. I think I'd probably appreciate a review of my album by Pitchfork more than a review in EW if I was a mainstream artist.

I listen to mp3s?

Really? EW's generally considered more of a mainstream tipsheeet, with significantly more integration with other media channels than PFM. Sure, PFM is absurdly important to indie artists for exposure/support, but that's what happens when you don't have a publicity and marketing budget built into a 2000-run album on a small-mid size label.

I'm sure Schreiber would be psyched to think that Madonna's publicists are trying to use his site as a springboard to indie/underground integrity, but that seems a tad bit unlikely.

My god, it's already 1 pm here. Wtf?

among other things.

I think Pitchfork should only review albums I'll like and get me some damn chicken fingers.

I just think I'd rather have my album more critically reviewed in the Pitchfork way than I would having my ass kissed by EW, since their reviewers tend to rave about every established mainstream artist like Madonna. I'm not necessarily stating that the comercial artist is looking for indie integrity, I was just describing the type of review I would expect Pitchfork to write for a commercial release.

Damn tiddly, Hube.

Ahh, gotcha.

But, I will say that I think said mainstream artists would be less likely to be given a fair shake by PFM, so what good would a "more critically reviewed Pitchfork way" review do in that instance (unless it turned out to be a well-written piece of criticism)? They've rarely strayed from doing slam reviews just to drive site hits in the past, why not take aim on an artist with a devoted fanbase a la Esther?

EW's plenty happy to give someone a failing grade, though. Certainly more likely than RS or Spin, etc.