I've always had a few issues (pardon the craftily constructed pun there) with Hot Press. First off, it should really be free. For something that prides itself on gig listings, they should really take note that the likes of connected* is doing the same for free. Second of all, Hot Press runs a website that you have to be a subscriber of their magazine to get access to. which is a bit ridiculous. Lastly, they review albums based not on musical merit, but on how big they expect the album to become. (Commonly known as the NME quandry)
But you have to take note that Hot Press was a one of its kind when it was set up and did support a lot of up and coming Irish acts initially. That support seems to be lagging in recent years and fewer risks are being taken in support of more pedestrian bands such as 'The Coronas'. Although I'm not the biggest fan of the magazine, it has done quite a bit for Irish pop and rock, even if it has lost its way in the past few years. read more