Grade Post

Before November 2020 grades were from 3.5 stars (B+ equivalent) to 5 stars (A+ equivalent) in half star increments. Letter grade equivalents were not noted at that time. This system did not allow for 3.75, 4.25, or 4.75 stars, which is why the new system was developed based on number grades from 7 to 10 in half digit increments. [I do translate old star grades to their number/letter grade equivalents (by simply doubling the number and adding the letter equivalent) when I see them and am inspired to do so. In such cases, I don't tend to consider whether to upgrade 3.5 stars to 7.5 (high B+), 4 stars to 8.5 (high A-), or 4.5 stars to to 9.5 (high A).]

In the new system, number grades in half digit increments are noted, with their letter grade equivalents in parentheses. No grades are assigned below 7 (B+). So:

    10 (A+)
    9.5 (high A)

    9 (A)

    8.5 (high A-)

    8 (A-)

    7.5 (high B+)

    7 (B+)

For albums below 7 (B+), the post title will say:

    [liked*], with a :-) in the body of the post [equivalent to 6.5 or low B+]

    nothing, with a :-| in the body of the post [neutral - equivalent to 6 or B]

    nothing, with a :-( in the body of the post [negative - anywhere from 0 to 5.5 or from F to B-]

    *[originally "honorable mention" (and still remains so in some posts before 11/24)]

The # symbol in the body of a post signifies that the album is in a genre that is not collected at grades below 8 (A-) (or even at 8 (A-) for overpriced imports), unless it does extremely well in the polls or for some other reason noted in the post. The perceived genre is specified in brackets following the # symbol. Otherwise, all graded albums are collected, unless they are OOP, selling for ridiculous/import prices, and/or digital/vinyl only, etc.

I generally will physicalize a digital- or vinyl-only release with a grade of 8.5 (high A-) or 9 (A) or above. I do this by purchasing the digital tracks and using Kunaki to burn and send a disc. Great service.

I got so many hateful comments about "honorable mention" entries [e.g., "How about my dick give you an honorable mention?"] that I changed it in very late 2024 to "liked". If someone spent 2 hours reading my blog, after I've spent 1000s of hours listening carefully and creating it (guaranteed more than it takes to record the typical album I post about), and then gave it an honorable mention*, I'd be pretty happy, but I guess alot of people hate that? But it did make me realize a simple "I liked it" is more what I feel anyway, so thanks for the constructive feedback! I will change prior "honorable mentions" to "liked" as time allows and as people spew hateful comments on particular entries. Not trying to offend anyone, just document what I think about the music I listen to so carefully.

*Personally, I shoot for 7.5 (high B+) and would be thrilled to get that but would settle for 7 (B+). I'd give Christgau's blog a 9 (A) (and his work up until 2000 a 10 (A+)). I'd give Tom Hull's an 8.5 (high A-).