Note to Marks & Spencer: Whispering over the top of slow motion footage of food doesn't make it tast...
Note to Marks & Spencer: Whispering over the top of slow motion footage of food doesn't make it tastier or any less fattening.
Member since:22.05.2004
Reviews:143
Members who trust:153
Q was founded in 1986 to match the existing monthly glossies, Vox and Select, and to provide a grown up alternative to Smash Hits.
Here is a breakdown of items and regular features in a typical issue of Q. I have rated each aspect out of 5.
SPINE MESSAGE ------------------------ A cryptic message in tiny font on the spine. It used to have something to do with the cover star, but lately the message can relate to anyone featured in the issue. A recent one read: "Lulu, Cerys Matthews, the Hamiltons". It turns out they have all been guests of Cable TV, a BBC Wales chat show hosted by Stuart Cable (ex of the Stereophonics). A small Q&A with the Stereophonics featured a question about Cable's sacking. Get it right and printed and you win whatever electrical item is on offer that month. Headphones and DVD players have been up for grabs recently. Even with the use of the internet I have never solved one. (4/5)
COVER, CONTENTS AND EDITORIAL ---------------------------------------------------- I know! They're self-explanatory really.
The editorial is usually snappily presented and leads you into whatever the contents of the issue are that month. (3/5)
Q MAIL --------- AKA the letters page. Answers to the spine message of the previous month, reactions to previous articles and interviews and reviews and humorous pieces too. I only ever read the spine message answer. "Lookalikes" and reactions to reviews don't really bother me. (2/5)
CASH FOR QUESTIONS --------------------------------- This is a great regular feature. Every month Q will give you advance warning of the pop star to be put in the hot seat for the following month. Readers write in with their question. If it's printed and answered they win £25. Recent questions have been: asking John Lydon whether he really did spunk into one of Glen Matlock's sandwiches whilst on tour (answer: yes), why DID Tears For Fears refuse to play Live Aid (answer: we were tired) and whether Marilyn Manson has ever met anyone and thought they were strange (answer: yes, Avril Lavigne!). In all a fascinating insight into a pop star's psyche and a great test of exactly how much they will reveal to their fans. (5/5)
NOW/NEW --------------- Similar to most magazines and known in the business as "the front bit". General news, gossip, previews of new bands and new releases from established artists, mini Q&As, a sidebar of the month's quotes, the album charts, a themed chart, a "where are they now" section and various other snippets spread over 30 pages. One issued featured the outcome of a hypothetical fight between 50 Cent and Jack White, the 12 best soundtracks to own and 10 rules that Kelis lives her life by. (4/5)
MAIN BODY ---------------- This section goes right up to the review pages and, depending on the numbers of features and interviews lasts about 50 pages. The latest issue features big features on Keane, Muse and a mammoth 30 page "100 Greatest Gigs" feature. If Q don't cover a "100 Greatest....." then more interviews will fill the pages. I like the writing style of the features but do wish they wouldn't put rock stars on pedestals so much. It's almost as though the bands are going to get a good write up because Q have been granted and interview. The 100 Greatest.... are very good, and in the past have featured Gigs, Videos, Albums, Women in Music generally voted for by the reader(3/5)THE REVIEWS SECTION - ALBUMS ------------------------------------------------- This is Q's piece de resistance! I love it and is the reason I buy the magazine. The albums are split into three sections: new releases, compilations and reissues. It gives me a chance to be on top of new music as well as catching up on old music I may have missed. More importantly, it EDUCATES me and I feel as though I'm getting sound advice on what to buy and avoid. Occasionally I buy a recommended album and it turns out to be a stinker and albums or bands I love are given apalling reviews. That's all part of the fun. The review system is:
Poor, best avoided
* Average, caution advised
**Good not for everyone, fine within its field
***Excellent, worth investigation
****Indispensible, truly exceptional
I find that pop, trance and tuneless metal generally get a *. A ** rating is given to indie and rap albums that have little longevity or too many tracks respectively. *** are reserved for good quality but limited appeal albums like bluegrass, chillout, techno albums. If an established or high profile new artist releases an album with respective artistic innovation or promise it gets a ****. But it's the ***** that are virtually impossible for a new album to get. Only REM, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Streets, The Strokes, Daft Punk, and - bizarrely - Semisonic have achieved this over the four years I've been reading Q. Compilations like classic reggae and soul get the occasional five star as do reissues of classic albums like Thriller and Revolver and anything by Bob Dylan. (5/5)REVIEWS - OTHER --------------------------- The rest of the reviews section is split into gigs, films, DVDs to rent, books and televsion and works in the same way. (4/5)
FAMOUS LAST WORDS --------------------------------- A final Q&A with a star with a standard set of questions. Recent interviewees have included Alanis Morrissette, Brian Wilson and Andre 3000.
Q had a revamp in 2002, downsized from A4 and generally pissed a few people off. Having said that, a few of the old sections have been confined to memory forever. Also, there used to be many more free CDs and supplements. At the moment it's no supplements and one CD a year.
I do love the magazine, though, and it's the reviews section very time or me!
I hope this helps.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Established format, clear structure, the full-page colour adverts for new album releases. Disadvantages: Too much like the NME-Melody Maker style these days. Focuses on the seedier, laddish aspect. Explicit language and photos (generally one full-frontal naked woman shot per issue)
EnglishPatient 15.04.2001 (15.04.2001)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Q
May 25th, 2004
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (94%):
helpful by (3%):
