Fiske's Discs

This is a sample of writing by a pop music columnist in 1973.
What features of his writing are self-consciously fashionable?

"This year of grace 1973 is probably too young yet to produce any mind-bending news on the pop scene.

But, for my money, the best New Year's present I could have had is the new Moody Blue's single 'I'm Just a Singer In a Rock and Roll Band.'

I've mentioned the number before, but now that it's on general release because of demand in Britain, the Continent and the United States, there's every reason to applaud this platter - their first rock single for quite a few years. Need I say again that the song, written and sung by John Lodge, fairly steam along? Does it have to be said that with their "Nights in White Satin" selling big, as they say in the cold hard world of commercial pop, The Moodies seem all set for another spell of stardom and success?

This stereo single is out of the Decca stable, of course, and the serial number is TH 13.

Talking of stereo singles - and lets face it who isn't these days - let me recommend another 45 out of the old rock library.

Georgie Saint and his band, who rejoice in the name of the Dragons, have cut some very interesting tracks, which strike me as just the ticket for parties and discos. The "A" side is taken up with "Hound Do" and 'Tutti Frutti.' The lower deck is occupied by 'Rock and Roll Part II.' "

Newcastle Evening Chronicle 1973

Comment on the style of writing in this text. Look at cliché, redundancy, register, rhetorical questions. What linguistic reasons do you have for placing this text in 1973?

What similarities and what differences do you find between the 1973 text and the following text from 1999?
Can you identify a "pop music review register" from these two texts? What are the features of this register?

Invincible - Five.
The boys are back with a second helping of dancey delight. Treats include the delish "Two sides to every story", the sci-fi whopper, "Battlestar", and a hidden track about Inspector Gadget. It's a huge winner.

Here We Come - A1
The best pop album EVER! All the singles plus some brill dance tracks and love songs where the boys sing their little hearts out. Buy two copies cos you'll play it so much you'll wear one of 'em out.

Westlife - Westlife
Talk about value for money! Westlife's first album features a whopping 16 tracks, everything from their swoony first single "Swear it again" to epic ballad "Flying Without Wings". Most of it is slow, but the dance tracks prove that they're more than just the new Boyzone. Nice one!

Super Trouper - A* Teens
Sorry kids, but this is dire - an irritating Euro disco beat and singing
that's out of tune. The Abba original was fabulous and frankly they should have left it well alone.

from Mizz November 1999

In the light of your answers to the questions above, write your own music reviews for recent releases you have heard.

Finally complete your work by writing a linguistic analysis of your own review.