Stick a Fork In it: Pitchfork’s Glaring Omissions
December 23, 2007
*Image from thighswideshut
I’m a big fan of lists and you’ll be seeing some here in the next week or so, as everything slows down at the end of another great year. A while back I started noticing how Pitchforkmedia displays its status as a boys club (mostly) when they do their Top 50 Albums. This year was no exception: a scant 2 queer artists on the list, 4.5 female fronted albums (the Dirty Projectors have a lot of female members, but it’s male-fronted) and 3 female record reviewers (down from 4 in 2006). It wouldn’t be so distressing if it were just another list, but the “fork-cast” is not a misnomer. At this point, it’s been proven that a review from the Chicago-based online magazine can make or break record sales, which can affect touring schedules and label backing. A 7.5 or above rating from Ryan Schreiber inc., can take a bedroom recording and rocket the band to a venue filling, hype inducing record deal. Just look at the Black Kids this year. Even if you don’t read the mag, it still affects your life– if Pitchfork ain’t covering it, your local store ain’t carrying it, and the band won’t make it to your small town. Their list needs to be looked at as a representation of indie music’s queer/feminist barometer. Here’s the break down:
Queer Artists
#37 Grizzly Bear–Friend Ep
#14 Deerhunter–Cryptograms/Fluorescent Grey Ep
(Owen Palette appears on #40. Beirut’s Flying Club Cup and #27. The Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible, but is not a full-time member of either)
Female Fronted
#46. Marissa Nadler–Songs III: Bird on the Water
#41. Life Without Buildings–Live at the Annandale Hotel
#19. Fiest–The Reminder
#3. M.I.A.–Kala
(Male fronted but heavy female presence)
#21. Dirty Projectors–Rise Above
Female Record Reviewers
Amanda Petrusich
Amy Phillips
Liz Colville
Out of 50!!??
–Stinky Pinky
