This was the kind of writing I really enjoyed – basically, something I would enjoy reading myself. I perceived the style itself as somewhat conversational, characterizing basic middle-American dialects of a gruff yet astute working class, with a penchant for looking at the bigger picture. It was also a style of writing that wasn’t able to be sandwiched in between the name droppings and the hipper-than-than thou testimonials a lot of other writers were submitting to the syndicated publications. I received a fair amount of feedback from bands and label reps about my words and ideas – mostly favorable; although a few local scene-sters and record-store clerks jeered at my “Creative Writing 101” approach to music journalism (I’m fairly certain that wasn’t meant as a compliment), and still others pointed out that I hadn’t told them whether or not to purchase the album I had reviewed.

Again, much of the material I’ve written has lost to the ravages of time, but until I’m done sorting through all the old floppy discs and faded printouts, here is a tiny smattering of what I’ve managed to salvage so far; for better or worse – you decide.