Music critic Craig Mathieson accused bassist Andy Clemmensen of plagiarizing part of his review on Kanye West’s album, ABC.net.au reported. Mathiseon wrote in review published both by The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. See Mathieson’s blog post about the plagiarism claims here.
Mathieson wrote: “My beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is eclectic but never offhand; every deviation serves the song’s texture, every boast contrasts with sly lacerating self-appraisal.”
Clemmensen wrote about the same album on Channel V’s website Vmusic: “It’s eclectic but never off-hand. It’s hip-hop where every deviation serves the song’s texture, every boast contrasts with slyly lacerating self-appraisal.”
Mathieson suggested that perhaps Clemmensen didn’t actually write the review, but that his byline was just tagged on to it. Either way, “it’s definitely plagiarism,” he wrote.
The Australian blog Defamer noted that Clemmensen’s review “was taken down from the Channel V website” Dec. 13.
Clemmenson apologized on Facebook for the plagiarism, Novafm.com.au reported. Clemmenson wrote:
“Apologies to any reviewers not quoted. Arriving home late from a month long promo tour and having the Kanye album review due the next day, I was exhausted, so I foolishly got my friend to do it for me. was unaware that it was plagirised [sic] but I accept full responsibility and would once again like to apologize to the journalists I have offended.”
UPDATE: 1/7/2011 3:16 PM EST: Updated media brief about Kanye West review to include the apology from Clemmenson.