A game I play in my head before I read a review of a band I know of on here / Pitchfork, wherever... Before I click the link to the review, I take a guess at the score. For the past two months I've been 90% accurate (I give myself .3 either way with Pitchfork reviews).

While awarding myself a merit badge, I've realised that this might mean that the preconception of the public must be feeding into the review process at some point. Newer bands score higher, while bands on a second album onwards tend to take a beating.

Is everyone desperate to find the next big thing, and say that they were there first, or does a lack of new 'coolness' (I was looking for a better word) really influence reviewers?

You have a go at guessing scores. I think you'll be surprised by your accuracy...