Rejection of a review

I submitted my six reviews to the editor of e/i magazine the other day. Just received back confirmation of receipt and the rejection of one of my reviews. That review is here. This was what the editor had to say:

2) i can’t use the ielasi as written – it doesn’t read as any kind of critical assessment, simply a means to ‘describing’ it, and there’s no ‘appropriate’ way to even lay it out as to the mag’s review specs – sorry. you can either re-write it or nix it altogether

My response was as follows:

Noted. From my perspective, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with describing something. At times I write pieces that try to find other ways to respond to music than critical assessment – that may be short fiction, graphical or whatever. A few examples of my own below (which you may find utterly indulgent!):http://www.eleventhvolume.com/reviews/concerts/files/amm_mev/ammmev1.html

http://www.eleventhvolume.com/reviews/cds/files/fax.html

http://www.eleventhvolume.com/reviews/cds/files/hat_melter.html

http://www.eleventhvolume.com/reviews/cds/files/remarc.html http://www.eleventhvolume.com/reviews/cds/files/trash_art.html

http://www.eleventhvolume.com/reviews/cds/files/vvm_stigma.html

I had previously read this in your style guide and took it to mean that different styles of writing would not be entirely unwelcome:

“Our goal is to not only excite our readers about the music, but about the music WRITING as well. As an editorial mandate, we encourage our contributors to actively play with the boundaries of language and style, to be provocative in both content and approach.
+ Bring the passion and enthusiasm you have for these disparate musics to bear on the reader, presented in your own idiosyncratic voice such that the reader’s curiousity is piqued and their interest fired, but temper the prose to avoid sensationalism.”

I do understand of course that you have boundaries/parameters and didn’t intend to test them (or your patience!) The piece I submitted was the only way I felt able to respond to the music so I won’t be rewriting. If you want me to send the CD on to another reviewer please do send me their address and I’ll forward it on. No ill feelings on my part, I hope not on yours either.

All the best, Colin.