Do they sell magazines?

The latest is the top 50 British albums ever, voted by readers/shoppers of Q/HMV: www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/music/article.html?in_article_id=99575&in_page_id=25

It's quite generic as these lists usually are. Although I aren't someone who hates them, I think Keane being so high up twice is the most shocking*...

*perhaps shocking is too strong a word, but I can't think of another one :P

Someone seems to think there's an interest in it, and scarily there perhaps is. Every time these lists come out, the magazines seem to get loads of letters saying "great list" or "why wasn't my favourite band there?" but mysteriously few saying "will you stop doing these chuffing links and talk about new instead please thank you". It's particularly a Q thing, you're right, but they're all at it.

Don't worry, it gets on my nerves too. I'm subscribed to Q. I'm not entirely sure why.

But also, it potentially gets a magazine mentioned elsewhere.

Slow news day... ohmygoodnesswhat'sthis? Keane is OFFICIALLY the best band in the world, EVER (says Q, which is a magazine you can go and buy). You can text us now and say whether you agree. John from Tooting says: "Yeah like right da beatles r gr8er natch." Join in the debate now! Use a big font and a big picture of Keane and another one of the Beatles, and Q get themselves a mention in return for filling an entire page in the Metro (or one of the other pieces of crap people try to foist on me every day) with absolutely no content or effort whatsoever.

I hate the free papers.

We just get Metro - you get zillions of the things (well, at least three).

London Lite is the worst thing ever.

Lists = Lazy Journalism.

They're easy stuff, and don't rely on anything except the (lazy) journalists taste.

I've read Q and Mojo since issue 1. I keep hoping Mojo will get better, but it doesnt. I still read Q gover to cover every month, and I actually completed the crossword this month, all by myself!

I like the Metro. Well, the letters and the arts sections anyway. Don't think I'd pay for it.

Unlike Q which I'm absolutely certain I wouldn't buy. Is it a music magazine with lists or a list magazine with music? It annoys the crap out of me that they think these endless bloody lists are a worthwhile way to fill pages. I do like the way they print the setlists with the live reviews, though. Like all other magazines of interest to me, I read them in supermarkets and WHSmiths. Except Empire, which I buy religiously. On my knees and with a funny hat on.

I agree that these polls of the best albums ever (or whatever) are silly, but not quite as silly as the NME cool list.