An open letter to Rolling Stone magazine.
I am in possession of your most recent issue, #1276/1277 dated December 15-29, 2016 with President Obama on the cover. And I am disappointed.
No, I am not upset that pages were devoted to an interview with our outgoing Commander in Chief. Although, 8 times on the cover might be a bit much.
This merely is representational of the trend your magazine has demonstrated over the years to move away from music and popular culture to political coverage. It isn’t that I disagree with your politics, merely I subscribe to Rolling Stone for the articles and news items relating to the music world. If I wanted to read about politics, there is The Economist (a subscription to which already arrives at our house, thank you.)
Instead of an article with Bernie Sanders about where we go from here, I am more interested in an interview with the Dap-Kings about where they go from here after the death of Sharon Jones.
There were many articles over the course of this last election cycle devoted to Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, promoting them and their agendas. There were many articles about how the Republican Party were not honorable or doing the right thing for America. There were articles pointing out the hypocrisy of Donald Trump’s campaign.
How did that work out?
Your political and social reporting are not effective. Please get back to doing what you do best – music industry journalism.
To that end, this brings me to my main point, the real reason for writing this letter.
Only two album reviews?
Really!?
Want to know why the music industry is dying? It’s because you’re not covering it.
Neil Young just put out a new album. Did you review that? Looking in your previous two issues it would appear not. What about the new Kate Bush live album? Or the debut album (alright, more of an E.P.) by Grace Vanderwaal? Garth Brooks? Sixx A.M.? Deadmau5? John Legend? The Weekend?
If you’re going to say that people can go online to see those reviews, then why bother having reviews in the print publication at all?
Get back to doing what you do best.