I really like AlbumOfTheYear as a site, it’s great. However, there is a big mistake in how The Needle Drop’s light, decent or strong method of rating albums is represented in the “Critic Reviews” sections.
The Needle Drop – an approved critic on the site – usually rates albums on a scale from 1-10 with each full number being either a light, decent or a strong. Considering this, it doesn’t make sense for his strong sevens to be the same rating as his light sevens here on AlbumOfTheYear (they’re all 70/100s)
A more correct representation of The Needle Drop’s ratings would be the following:
#1
Light 7/10s --> 70/100
Decent 7/10s --> 74/100
Strong 7/10s --> 78/100
This would be logical as he sometimes rates albums “a strong 7 to a light 8”, which would mean that the strong rating is close to the light rating of the closest higher number.
#2 (not as representative of the critic’s opinion)
Light 7/10s --> 66.66…/100 ≈ 67/100
Decent 7/10s --> 70/100
Strong 7/10s --> 73.33…/100 ≈ 73/100
(Light 8/10s --> 76.66…/100 ≈ 77/100)
A mathematician would probably enjoy this second one more. The problem with this one though, is that it would be a little odd for a “strong” 7 to only be a 73/100.
After having watched The Needle Drop’s channel and video reviews for a long time, I believe the first proposal is best (under “#1”). This would improve the site’s perceived professionalism massively as viewers of The Needle Drop – arguably the internet’s most popular music critic – wouldn’t be left confused after seeing ratings on AlbumOfTheYear differ from ratings in his video reviews.
Please share this if you agree, or comment if you disagree/have something to add.