W O R KSH E E T 18 A B2

WRITING A
MUSIC REVIEW

MUSIC IS MY
LIFE; IT IS A
REFLECTION
OF WHAT I GO
THROUGH
- LENNY KRAVITZ -

TALK TO THE CLASS ABOUT A RECENT

? CONCERT EXPERIENCE
(BE DESCRIPTIVE)

• How important is music in your life?

• What type of music do you most like to listen to? What about the least?
• Do you have a favorite band or singer? Why do you like them?
• Do you feel that you have a special connection with some types of music?
• Do you have any musical skill?
• Do you think there are song lyrics that should be censored? Can you think of an example?
• What connection, if any, do you think there is between drugs and music?
• How important are lyrics? If you take away the lyrics to a rap, what are you left with? If you add lyrics to
an instrumental?
• Do you know the lyrics to all the songs you like?
 W O R KSH E E T 18 B B2

CHOOSE A SONG THAT IS SOMEHOW RELEVANT FOR YOU, AND FILL IN THIS MENTAL
MAP WITH SOME VOCABULARY THAT HELPS YOU EXPLAIN
WHAT THE SONG IS ABOUT.

MENTAL MAP FOR

A SONG ESSAY

STYLE MEANING

VOCALS LYRICS
FEELING
CONTENT

STYLE

IMAGE NAME OF SONG

WHO?

ARTIST

BACKGROUND WHY?
AUDIENCE
PERSONALITY
 W O R KSH E E T 18 C B2

WHILE WRITING YOUR REVIEW YOU MIGHT USE THE

OUTLINE BELOW.
You Do Not Need to address all of the suggested topics or questions, but use
them as prompts in order to write an informative and thorough music review.

I. INTRODUCTION
Name of musician/band/ song, type of music, overall impressions.

II. MUSICIAN/BAND BACKGROUND

List of participating musicians and instruments used, background (How long have they been around? Are they
well known in the music scene?), previously released album or songs, how does this album or song compare
to others by this group or artist?

III. SONG
Explain the meaning of the song, quote some lyrics, explain how the song is a reflection of the musician or
band.

IV. IMPRESSIONS AND OPINIONS

Impressions (justify your opinion), unique elements of the song, comparison to another band, song, or artist.

V. OVERALL RATING AND FINAL COMMENTS

Rate on a scale of 1-10 or give a letter grade, will fans be happy or disappointed?
Concluding comments.

USEFUL VOCABULARY TO WRITE YOUR REVIEW:

MATCH THE FOLLOWING VOCABULARY WITH THE DEFINITION.

commercial (adj)

revival (noun)

(the) charts (noun)

explicit (adj)

hit (noun)

genre (noun)

catchy (adj)

live (adj)

dynamic (adj)

authentic (adj)

1. Real or genuine. 6. Offensive, obscene or "rude" language.

2. Enjoyable when first heard, and difficult to forget. 7. A kind or style of music, movie, TV show, painting, etc.

3. Lists of the best-selling songs of the previous week. 8. A best-selling song on the pop-music charts.

4. Made in order to be popular and make money. 9. Played at a concert in front of an audience.

5. Lively and having a lot of energy. 10. The return to popularity of an old style or form.
 W O R KSHE E T 18 D B2

A CRITICAL REVIEW
of by

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

LYRICS AND MEANING OF THE SONG

IMPRESSIVE QUALITIES

OVERALL RATING AND RECOMMENDATION