Reviewer’s Block

This is a short and sweet blog post to reflect on the last few weeks. Well, it’s nearer a couple of months actually. OK, enough of the internal arguments about time, let’s get on with the post.

As a reviewer I pride myself on being able to listen to, support and review independent artists in particular. Recently, however, my reviewing has slowed to a trickle due to the sheer mental and physical fatigue I am suffering. This is work related, or ‘real life’ related as it is often expressed by people on social media. Now, that doesn’t make me unusual, but what it has done is to remove one of my most fulfilling outlets on the internet. It is not just about being unable to review the tracks, it is being too tired to even listen to them. That is completely new to me.

When I was younger and I was fatigued I would just listen to music until I felt better. I noticed the change in my listening habits in the last few weeks, and wondered why that was. I came to the conclusion that I am now programmed to listen to music actively whether I am reviewing or not! Music is still enjoyable, but I can no longer let it wash over me. I realise that this is what makes me, I hope (though it is for others to say), a good reviewer, so I can’t really complain, but it has meant that my life is no longer as full of music as it was, at least for the moment.

I have put this short post down as something of an aside, but I hope it might explain a couple of things and be of interest to one or two of you. Things will improve and I have no doubt I will be back reviewing soon. In the meantime, here is a song that is in my head thanks to the current Lloyd’s Bank advert. It’s a track that pretty much passed me by when it was released, but I absolutely love it. Yes, I sit and analyse the music, lyrics and vocals, but it’s the first song in a while that has transported me to that place where all good music takes you. It’s definitely a step in the right direction.