IMHO........ (Reviews)

 

Likewise, I've been rewriting a few of my older, over-zealous reviews where I had perhaps been over generous. I try to keep away from the fanboy track (some of my older reviews sail perilously close) as I too now find gushing 5 star reviews without much justification, and come off like blind praise of a band, to be just as damaging to a band as 1 star reviews. Remember the Octavarium debacle around 2 years ago? I think that created even more hostility/suspicion towards DT. I've seen the same thing happen with new Tool and Mars Volta albums as well.

 

I think maybe I didn't make myself clear back in the begining....... I didn't mean I only wanted to see positive reviews. But I felf it a little unjust to see some one-star reviews that were down right rude and written with spite and based on lies and malice......... that surely can not be good for an objective overview of an album?

The lines between fact and opinion are easily blurred and never more so than in a "this is truly awful, they can't write, they can't sing, they can't play" type of review.

 

I enjoy the reviews here, I like to search out different artists or albums.... but I don't like to see lies and opinon dressed up as hard fact. it stinks.  I seem to have caused more foroar by saying that though than if I wrote a bunch of nonsense about some hard working band.

 

Yup, my only importance on this site is bashing poorly written n00b-reviews! Oh man, when you put it that way, if guest reviews go then I'll be out of a job

 

I'll end up like that homeless guy that impersonated Peter Criss and lived under a bridge while he pan-handled for nickels

 

in that case, my dearest Dream Theater worshipper, I would say: 

 

 

 

I have a paranoia problem from time to time.... It manifests once a month.

 

 

 

So we only have to review album we like??

 

Man I would guess in that case is even more correct to write a review, a respectful, well-written review of course. I mean, you could help some people save some money if they choose to follow your comments.

 

I think the important is to make yourslef clear, put arguments for your position, no matter what it is. If people here want only praise-filled reviews, well, what's the point? What's the point about writing anything, about art criticism? Man, I say all of these because some people think "journalism" is something bad or anything.... I guess then everybody should write for newspapers and in good books... well, the internet will take care of that in a few decades, anyway. I feel attacked because I study journalism and I would like, please, if you (not you Prog-chick but everybody) can refer to any profession with more respect.

 

Peace on earth. And let T's rain from heaven.

 

 

By "guest" you mean guests guests (?) or just review-guests? I mean, I'm a guest, many others are guest... Would that mean all our reviews are no more? I can't write reviews no more? I'm a forum member but in the review site I'm listed only as guest. I may fall for sentimentalism form time to time, but hey, IT'S MUSIC, it's not an exact science, so I think we can put some feeling into our reviews. Some people put so much "effort" into their reviews but as they limit themselves to say "x is good" then nobody has a problem with those. I really can't see guest reviewers going out. ON the other hand, if you say "guest" meaning a forum guest, then I agree completely, we would get rid of a lot of poorly written reviews.

 

I am not really thinking about negative feed back, I think that everyone has a right to dislike something, and to say that they dislike it.  But some reviews go beyond that and rather than state that something is disliked, a review might say that someone is unable which I think is a very different kettle of fish.

This is the point where I start to question the validity of a review. Or look into the credentials of the reviewer........

I believe that all artists are used to criticism and like you say it comes with the territory, however should insults/libel/defamation/out and out lies be accepted under the guise of "opinon"? Should a review be a personal slant against the musician rather than an opinion on the body of work they produce?

 

I don't want it to look like I am getting "bolshy" about this, I am genuinely curious.

I think (because I have been witness to this) that some fans will cultivate more "competition" or "rivalry" between two or more bands where there is none amongst the musicians, and to enhance the profile of their favourite artist will give poor reviews to those they see as a rival. Which I think is poor sport.

 

There is this thing I say to my kids "make yourslf look good by doing good things, not by making others look bad" 

 

P-C