Ragged #2 / Free / :30 / 32M / http://www.raggedmag.com / Reviewed 11 June 2007
Ragged is becoming a more solid zine with each subsequent issue. Granted, there have only been two issues, but the increase in the quality between issue one and two is tremendous. This issue has a number of different features with bands that are up and coming; this means that acts like Aqualung, Robbers on High Street, Miho Hatori and The Cinematics all get valuable space in this issue. The presence of an established band like Midnight Movies provides the pull necessary for individuals to pick up this issue. For being free, Ragged is very valuable. The layout is sharp, full of contrast and it is full-colored. The writing is strong enough that individuals know the bands inside and out, and are not the usual boring type of interview found in many other zines. The ads are present only a few times in this issue, and are done in much of the same layout style as the articles. This means that they do not draw attention to themselves and fade easily into the background. If there were a Macy’s around, I would honestly go to pick up an issue of this magazine. Hopefully this union between Filter and American Rag will continue and more issues of the magazine will be created. It’s a great way to introduce individuals to bands that may be big in a few year’s time. One note to Ragged: keep highlighting names dropped during a piece like “Tops of the Popsâ€. This is the best way to find new individuals to listen to, specifically those individuals that have been given the short end of the stick in the past.
Rating: 7.0/10