The Guardian's despicable review of Roisin Murphy's excellent album

Their review of boy George's memoir was a disgusting contrast, he can do no wrong in their eyes

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/14/karma-by-boy-george-review-loud-vainglorious-and-very-funny

Agree

Perhaps someone should write to the letters page?

They should.

I've heard an older song being played on radio 6 but none from her latest album which was getting considerable air time till she dared to step out of line.

Just wondering if there's an apology forthcoming from the Guardian for their "ugly stain" review of Roisin's album, now that it turns out (shock) her views on child safeguarding were entirely accurate and well-founded.

Waiting with bated breath...

I read the version that has since been edited online and was horrified. I have never actually read a piece like it. I wish I had screenshotted it now.

Sure, previous criticisms of Snapes' piece apply, thus Snapes herself. Like berating someone for how thin they slice an onion. Or whether they fart loudly or silently in a lift.
I mean, it's all a big stink at the end of the day.

Interestingly, the guff about Roisin's views were not in Laura Snapes' original review.

Yes, it was. The edits toned it down a bit, and got a bit more weaselly on the puberty blocker study wording.

I posted the edits here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4879267-roisin-murphy?reply=129053106&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copylink

😂

How many sins are being committed here? Not only is Róisín being character assassinated and humiliated in public, woke scolded so to speak. But the writer's article hasn't so much been edited as reimagined.

Let me guess. By a man?

I'm not sure I'd ever want to read anything again by Snapes, but unfair on her to have her article politically retconned. Even if she doesn't like GC attitudes, can she be happy to be compromised this way?

Róisín not the only woman being undermined here.

So so pleased that the album is #2 in the charts. Roisin is amazing, I have to say I find the music difficult for a casual listen going about my day but she is completely outstanding live. So for anyone who doesn’t connect with it on spotify, definitely go and see her perform it live as then you’ll know what it’s all about.

Interestingly, the guff about Roisin's views were not in Laura Snapes' original review. The article was amended a day later (there is a footnote to this effect). I would love to know who amended it (not Laura Snapes I suspect).

Julie Burchill Andrews Bindel weighs in

https://thecritic.co.uk/the-guardians-mccarthyite-gender-politics/

Whichever position anyone holds on this issue, it is just such an unprofessional 'review'. A quality broadsheet shouldn't be publishing music reviews consisting ion part of great paragraphs of exposition about puberty blockers.

Not unreasonable to cover, as a matter of fact and context, that the release has been surrounded by controversy and that she has traditionally had a fan base including a large LGBTQ contingent, but this is written like a juvenile pathetic rant by someone who has little control of their pen. And is having a tantrum because they can't quite bring themselves to award the stars for the music without yelling 'but she's a poo-head'.

I’m so not surprised.

(Please don’t use “witch” as an insult though!)

Don't worry, though, all the good bits were done by an innocent man so you can enjoy listening to the album with your purity intact.

[Sarcasm, based on reading the review. Tbh, it would be a terrible review anyway as it seems to give most of the credit for the work to the producer Koze, not Roisin herself]

From the paper that uncritically promoted The Family Sex Show, as well!? Who'd have thought!

Her music's not really my sort of thing, but I've listened to the new album as a tiny resistance to the witch hunt. I cancelled my subscription to the Grauniad when Hadley Freeman left, otherwise I'd be doing that too.

Great, thanks for confirming! I tried to read that thread but it kept crashing so I missed that.

No, that was a lie by either a "journalist" or their source. Confirmed by Róisín Murphy herself in a quote posted by @WarriorN on page 30 of the other thread here.

but aren’t her record company donating proceeds to trans charities?

According to The Guardian, that's not been confirmed. The ultimate in holier than thou cancel culture: say you're going to do something but don't actually do it. The shock is that Roisin Murphy's comments aren't even particularly controversial. The manufacturers of puberty blockers must be delighted that they have so many supporters who don't even bother with checking the evidence.

I was furious at that review. An absolutely disgraceful move on the part of the Guardian. I really want to buy Roisin’s album to show solidarity but aren’t her record company donating proceeds to trans charities?

I love Roisin (and her point of view) but not the album at all. On the back of all the fuss had a good listen.

I still have time for her earlier stuff just not this. Missing the point I know.

I got that sense too. The review may have been written some weeks ago when preview copies were sent out and then some quick updating was required/demanded.