Black Crowes "They Lied To The Maxim"

[RonJonSurfer]

The Black Crowes Furious With 'Fabricated' Maxim Review

The Black Crowes have been left fuming after a music critic allegedly "made up" a bad review of their first album in seven years.

The "Hard To Handle" stars claim a critic from Maxim magazine gave their album Warpaint a poor review.

It gave it two-and-a-half stars out of a possible five in its March 2008 issue without hearing the release - as no advance copies were made available.

Writing on the Black Crowes website, frontman Chris Robinson states, "The writer, who has not heard the album since advance CDs were not made available, wrote what appears to be a disparaging assessment anyway, citing, 'It hasn't left Chris Robinson and the gang much room for growth.'"

The band and its management have now launched a scathing attack on Maxim - insisting the stunt is a "disgrace."

Pete Angelus, the band's manager, says, "It speaks directly to the lack of the publication's credibility. In my opinion, it's a disgrace to the arts, journalism, critics, the publication itself and the public.

"What's next - Maxim's concert reviews of shows they never attended, book reviews of books never read and film reviews of films never seen?"

A spokesperson for the publication would not confirm or deny the allegations, but instead released the following statement: "Maxim will continue to provide our readers with information that is important to them, whether it is about fashion, lifestyle, technology, music, movies and more."

Warpaint is due for release on March 4, 2008.

[RonJonSurfer]

Maxim apologizes for Black Crowes review

NEW YORK - Maxim magazine has apologized for publishing a negative review of the Black Crowes' new album by a writer who hadn't listened to the whole CD.

The review in Maxim's March issue gives the Crowes' "Warpaint" a rating of two-and-a-half stars out of five. The band posted an exasperated statement on its Web site last week saying the Maxim writer hadn't heard the entire album because advance copies weren't available. The Crowes' manager, Pete Angelus, said the magazine explained that its review was an "educated guess."

Maxim editorial director James Kaminsky responded Tuesday with this statement: "It is Maxim's editorial policy to assign star ratings only to those albums that have been heard in their entirety. Unfortunately, that policy was not followed in the March 2008 issue of our magazine and we apologize to our readers."

A spokeswoman for the magazine contacted by The Associated Press declined to say whether the writer would face disciplinary action.

"Warpaint," the Black Crowes' first album in seven years, is set for release March 4. The blues-rock group, fronted by Chris Robinson, has released only one song from the disc, "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution."

The band's hits include "Hard to Handle" and "She Talks to Angels."

[Carl]

Journalists are weird. They can be incredibly tenacious but also horribly lazy. Maxim must have some of the lazy variety that are entrenched in their jobs. There are lots of people around here that I'm sure would have actually listened to the disc.

[Ombre Vivante]

There's music reviews in maxim?!

[Sweet Jane 61]

The Black Crowes won't accept apoplogy.....

It was recently revealed that Maxim magazine printed a review of The Black Crowes' new album, Warpaint, despite its writer not having heard the entire record, since only the single had been made available at that time. The album was given 2.5 stars. A statement from Maxim Editorial Director James Kaminsky said that, "It is Maxim's editorial policy to assign star ratings only to those albums that have been heard in their entirety. Unfortunately, that policy was not followed in the March 2008 issue of our magazine and we apologize to our readers."

However, the Crowes' management has issued a statement in response, rejecting the magazine's apology. The band's manager, Pete Angelus, stated, "In my opinion, Maxim's fabrication of an album review is highly unethical and indefensible. This issue potentially pertains to all artists and their craft, and a publication which apparently has no respect for either."

Angelus concluded, "In my opinion, Maxim's 'apology' is self-serving damage control by failing to mention The Black Crowes. The appropriate action from Maxim is to immediately issue a public apology to The Black Crowes for disparaging both the band and their soon to be released new album, Warpaint, without having heard the material."

Warpaint will be out this coming Tuesday, March 4.

[RonJonSurfer]

More damage control to follow.

[Ombre Vivante]

Hahaha. LIBEL from cheesecake rag - now that's rich!