It’s much harder to write a good review than a bad one

It’s not that hard to write review panning a concert or an album.  You’ve probably read many such reviews.  It’s much more difficult to write a glowing piece that doesn’t sound corny or like a puff piece.  Below is one of the best examples of a rave review that I’ve ever read. It is at once intelligent, witty, entertaining, straight to the point and completely devoid of obscure references and highfalutin language reviewers all to often use in an attempt to show off their intellect.  It’s written by local singer/songwriter/composer/lighting designer Inge Berge, who is actually smart, so he doesn’t need to try and convince anybody.  Check it out:

Fans of exquisite music: Pay attention to Ruby Rose Fox. Her headlining at The Cabot tonight, courtesy of Peter Van Ness and GimmeLive is easily among the top 3 shows I’ve seen all year (and I see way too many shows.) This show was pure magic. Sublime. Genius.

Her songwriting is smart, heartfelt, genre-bending, profound and just plain gorgeous. Her musicianship is impeccable. Her stage presence is mysterious, deep, eclectic and sexy as all get-out. The backup singers blend like butter yet cut like a razor. The band is road-tight and stadium-confident. The material is presented with rock balls, sensual vulnerability and analytic intelligence. A show chemically cleansed of clichés and standard showbiz cheese.