to describe these "featured releases" as reviews would be misleading, because they aren't; they're supposed to be more like a "synopsis" of an album, right? because i really get the impression that someone just telephoned this album blurb in.

i mean, you're a business, you want to sell your product, so obviously you won't pan an album.

am i wrong? or am i just an asshole?

Fair enough--you're right that they're more summations or 'synopses' than reviews (the format keeps the word count capsular), and that there is at least a degree of conflict of interest inherent in criticism. (That having been said, everyone on staff here tries to be honest and open whenever asked about any album that isn't their thing.) The "Featured Releases" page focuses on CDs that we find worthy in at least some way, since there are so many new releases each week, and only one website editor at the moment.