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Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alberto Muñoz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2008 at 18:33
Originally posted by King By-Tor King By-Tor wrote:

so his tastes aren't the same as yours, it doesn't really matter. Even if his vote counts for 10 there's several hundred normal members and collabs who are ranking the albums high. People don't all have to think the same thing - that would be more nazi-ish.
 
 
It's not a Nazi thing, obiously the guy has the right to disagree in matter of tastes, but i still found his review (and several others) incredibly thin and poor written.
 
 




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote debrewguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2008 at 22:54
Originally posted by crimson87 crimson87 wrote:

But my complaint is that the guy's review is 10 times more weighted than mine so he can bring the albums rating quite easily.

Besides is Trilogy THAT bad?.One stars ratings should be given to compilations EP's and bootlegs in my opinion.
If I happen to make a review of his beloved band Opeth saying that I don't like the growling vocals and that their music is not progressive by any means. (including "technical" arguments like he did) what would you do?


Hopefully not whine like you ?Confused
I get a hint that you believe that ELP albums should be "protected" against blasphemous reviews.
It is possible to dislike even the highly praised prog albums, is it not ?
And if you feel that ELP albums do not deserve one star reviews, can we say that is an opinion that YOU hold ??? Which is what the review in question is - an opinion ...


Edited by debrewguy - October 03 2008 at 22:57
"Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote debrewguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2008 at 22:59
Originally posted by zafreth zafreth wrote:

Originally posted by crimson87 crimson87 wrote:

c MON  that review is not objective at all. Iam not asking to give the album 5 stars but the guy clearly has something against ELP
 
Agree with that!

And this disqualifies him from reviewing  ELP albums for what reason ???
It is very nice of you to allow us to rate ELP  less than 5 star. Is there a minimum rating we should stick to,so as to please you Clown
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote crimson87 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2008 at 23:49
Originally posted by debrewguy debrewguy wrote:



Hopefully not whine like you ?Confused
I get a hint that you believe that ELP albums should be "protected" against blasphemous reviews.
It is possible to dislike even the highly praised prog albums, is it not ?
And if you feel that ELP albums do not deserve one star reviews, can we say that is an opinion that YOU hold ??? Which is what the review in question is - an opinion ...
 
Wow , you are quite a clairvoyant!! Of course I think that way in order to balance out the huge amount of flak they get.
Besides "Trilogy" is no "Earthbound".Only an unhearable or a useless  album could be qualified with one star.You may like (or not) a certain band but that does not make the album worthless.
 if I listened to RIO or Zeuhl for the first time , I would not go and give the album a low rank becouse it's not average prog rock.
You know , if I had been so inpulsive DT's albums should be ranked wery low.
Instead I gave 4 stars to Images and Words and 3 to SFAM
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote crimson87 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2008 at 23:56
Actually the six stars category should be created for "Brain Salad Surgery". Talk about an underrated masterpiece.
Or you can do as I do: If a band is not a cup of tea do not review it.Give a symphonic prog fan the chance to review Tangerine Dream's "Zeit" he probably will not like it becouse it's very different from Foxtrot and such.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alberto Muñoz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 01:25
Originally posted by debrewguy debrewguy wrote:

Originally posted by zafreth zafreth wrote:

Originally posted by crimson87 crimson87 wrote:

c MON  that review is not objective at all. Iam not asking to give the album 5 stars but the guy clearly has something against ELP
 
Agree with that!

And this disqualifies him from reviewing  ELP albums for what reason ???

No at all, but the poorly written review and the poor use of the vast english lexicon disqualifies.

It is very nice of you to allow us to rate ELP  less than 5 star. Is there a minimum rating we should stick to,so as to please you Clown

it's not please anybody, but i surpised that you defend a reviewer that actually his reviews s+cksDead




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Atavachron Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 01:26
I don't think it's necessary to get caught up in the # of stars, and if you read the star definitions; 5 is not a perfect album, but rather essential , and 1 is not worthless but instead poor or for completionists..  and besides, the value of a review is in the review itself, not the rating.. would you really want to decide an albums worth based on some stars?
                        

Essential: a masterpiece of progressive music (0%)
0%
Excellent addition to any prog music collection (0%)
0%
Good, but non-essential (0%)
0%
Collectors/fans only (0%)
0%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

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Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alberto Muñoz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 01:31
for example compare that review with this: http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=122295

Same ranking BTW but strong arguments and reasons  and well written of course.

I expect this kind of review for a "prog reviewer"




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ricochet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 02:22
Originally posted by crimson87 crimson87 wrote:

But my complaint is that the guy's review is 10 times more weighted than mine so he can bring the albums rating quite easily.

I don't think Trilogy's overall rating was lowered severly by Joey, mainly because there are other Prog Reviewers who reviewed it, their reviews also count 10 times, so there is a balance to Trilogy's rating.

But focusing on the rating isn't totally the right way. If one just watches how the rating bar goes on his favorite albums, then the aspect of reviewing becomes secondary.

Besides is Trilogy THAT bad?.One stars ratings should be given to compilations EP's and bootlegs in my opinion.

If HE thinks it's THAT bad, he has every right to rate it accordingly. Nobody said anywhere what kind of albums should get 5,4,3,2,1 stars...

If I happen to make a review of his beloved band Opeth saying that I don't like the growling vocals and that their music is not progressive by any means. (including "technical" arguments like he did) what would you do?

Imitation is not a "forte", but if you technically pan Opeth's album properly, no one should come and ask you anything.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ricochet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 02:26
Anyway, out of all this discussion - maybe an official response from the Admins?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Raff Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 03:18
OK, I don't want to sound nasty, but the author of the review in question (who has long dropped off the radar, though he still bears the title of PR) is not known for being subtle in his approach to things he doesn't like or disagrees with. As a matter of fact, he more or less left the site for good when he attacked me over a controversial addition, choosing the wrong moment to do so. I won't go into details now, but what he wrote in his reviews doesn't surprise me at all, knowing his general modus operandi.

That said, I think the rules for reviews are quite clear as regards avoiding derogatory statements such as 'rubbish'. A good reviewer should be able to write a one-star review without resorting to objectionable language - which is difficult indeed, but is also a mark of genuine talent.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Moatilliatta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 03:24
Originally posted by crimson87 crimson87 wrote:

Actually the six stars category should be created for "Brain Salad Surgery". Talk about an underrated masterpiece.
Or you can do as I do: If a band is not a cup of tea do not review it.Give a symphonic prog fan the chance to review Tangerine Dream's "Zeit" he probably will not like it becouse it's very different from Foxtrot and such.
 
Disregarding your off-topic first sentence, if no one could/does post negative reviews, we couldn't offer a fair and balanced variety of viewpoints. If I'm looking to get into a band, and I'm only allowed to see reviews from people who the love the band and their work, I might be mislead if everyone with similar tastes to me hates it and can't/doesn't review it for that reason.
 
Furthermore, I happen to enjoy most of Brain Salad Surgery, so the band potentially is my cup of tea, but I might still give low scores to their other albums. That seems perfectly reasonable.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Easy Livin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 03:45
Originally posted by Ricochet Ricochet wrote:

Anyway, out of all this discussion - maybe an official response from the Admins?
 
I mentioned in the reporting thread that the review was harsh and that I did not like it's tone much. Nevertheless, it did not appear to breach any guidelines. I'm taking notice of these disucssions though.Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Norbert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 08:31
Nobody has noticed it yet?
An Admin described Soft Machine's Third as "Turds".  It means "utter crap" or something like that, as far as I am concerned. Of course anyone is entitled to dislike a certain album or band, but this wasn't too nice either.
 
Anyway,  people should not review genres frequently which they don't get at all.
For example, Iván Melgar M should not review extreme metal albums too frequently, as the Still Life review shows it well.
On the other hand his  Symphonic and Neo reviews are usually very good.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ricochet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 08:51
We know about the "Turds" thing, and the Admin had no problem removing the word, if asked (back then..)
But, just like in Joey's case, we're going back to previous years, into reviews that probably don't even characterize as anymore: this Soft Machine review is from 2004!. Joey's review is from 2006.

"Anyway,  people should not review genres frequently which they don't get at all."
More like don't like, as it is my case with Metal, for example. But don't get?! Is there a judge saying what we know or not about something here, that I've missed? Confused Okay, bit extreme, but anyway, I've seen Iván review 3 Metal albums until now, he admitted he's not a fan of Metal, then again Opeth was his first with 2 stars (Symphony X receiving normal applauses instead...) did he not get Prog Metal at all then, or just not Opeth or Opeth's album instead?!?!)

Iván's Opeth review hasn't got anything wrong IMO, if writing negatively suddenly became wrong, while writing positively (and, to add, about the genre you are into most) has become "good", that's just twisted valuing...


Edited by Ricochet - October 04 2008 at 08:52
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Angelo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 08:53
Hmmm. Interesting observation. Knowing Bob, the Turds is probably a play of words (third and turd sound alike). This kind of pun is risky on an international site, but it happens occasionally.

Apart from that, what's the relation between this and the fact that people should not review 'too frequently genres that they do not understand'? I can't imagine Bob reviewing a lot of jazz, or Iván reviewing a lot of metal. Then again, people tend to rely on certain reviewers, including these two gentlemen. For these followers it can be very useful to read that their favourite reviewer doesn't like something at all - it very likely means that they won't like it either and that there's no need for them to buy it. It affects the rating a bit, maybe, but at least it's honest towards our visitors to not only have positive reviews about every album.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dean Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 09:14
It's the age-old subjective/objective argument and any rating can be justified when explained in the review, which is why I don't take much notice of ratings without reviews....
 
However reviews without ratings would be something I'd like to see - if a person doesn't like a particular artist or album there is nothing wrong with stating that in a review, but I am of the opinion that it should not be reflected in the rating and if the reviewer cannot bring themselves to give generally accepted 4-star album a high rating, there should be an option not to rate it at all, so the overall average is not affected.... of course that does not mean that unrated = zero stars.
What?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ivan_Melgar_M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 09:43
Originally posted by Norbert Norbert wrote:

Nobody has noticed it yet?
An Admin described Soft Machine's Third as "Turds".  It means "utter crap" or something like that, as far as I am concerned. Of course anyone is entitled to dislike a certain album or band, but this wasn't too nice either.
 
Anyway,  people should not review genres frequently which they don't get at all.
For example, Iván Melgar M should not review extreme metal albums too frequently, as the Still Life review shows it well.
On the other hand his  Symphonic and Neo reviews are usually very good.
 
 
Why should I avoud reviewing an album that I received? BTW: I usually don't review Opeth albums because I don't buy Opeth albums, but if I get another one, I will revview it.
 
Have I insulted anybody or used derogatotry terms?
 
Pr is it that I don't have the right toi dislike the unnatural sounds Akerfeldt makes?
 
I've been honest, the music is good, if it wasn't for the growls, I would had rated the album much higher.
 
If I'm not wrong I reviewed 3 Metal albums in 240 reviews
 
  1. Symphony X  V with 4 stars
  2. Thorman Maxt with 2 stars and been kinder than 99% of the reviewers
  3. Opeth Still Life, which I liked musically ande repeated i constantly but the growling ruined it.

Nobody said anything about the Torman Maxt 2 stars because most people gave that album 1 star, but in the case of Opeth I believe I touched a sensitive nerve, but as I review this album with two stars, Irated with the same numvber oif stars some of my favorite artists, including Kansas, Marillion, Yes, ELP and Rick Wakeman:

Quote 2%20stars DOORS, THE - Live at the Hollywood Bowl (read review)
2%20stars ER. J. ORCHESTRA - Gabrielus (read review)
2%20stars VARIOUS ARTISTS (CONCEPT ALBUMS & THEMED COMPILATIONS) - Best Prog Rock Album in the World... Ever (read review)
2%20stars KARFAGEN - The Space Between Us (read review)
2%20stars JARRE, JEAN-MICHEL - Jean Michel Jarre in Concert: Houston-Lyon (read review)
2%20stars TORMAN MAXT - The Problem Of Pain: Part 1 (read review)
2%20stars OPETH - Still Life (read review)
2%20stars KANSAS - The Best of Kansas (read review)
2%20stars WAKEMAN, RICK - Rhapsodies (read review)
2%20stars MARILLION - Happiness Is The Road (read review)
2%20stars KING CRIMSON - Larks' Tongues in Aspic (read review)
2%20stars IQ - Living Proof (read review)
2%20stars YES - Tormato (read review)
2%20stars YES - The Ladder (read review)
2%20stars EMERSON LAKE & PALMER - Works Vol. 2 (read review)
2%20stars EMERSON LAKE & PALMER - The Best of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (read review)
2%20stars EMERSON LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus (read review)
2%20stars GENESIS - And Then There Were Three... (read review)
 
 
 
Did anybody said a word when I gave two stars to Tarkus or Larks Tongues in Aspic? Seems that Opeth is untouchable, I only expressed what others say, Akerfeldt growls and I dislike that.
 
But never, and I repeat never, used any insulting or derogatory term.
 
Iván 
 
PS: Thanks Rico, I agree with you 100%, but one slight correction, I get Opeth's album I don't get Akerfeldt growls, as I don't get Steve Howe or Jon Anderson's voice. 
 


Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - October 04 2008 at 10:55
            
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Easy Livin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 11:18
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

It's the age-old subjective/objective argument and any rating can be justified when explained in the review, which is why I don't take much notice of ratings without reviews....
 
However reviews without ratings would be something I'd like to see - if a person doesn't like a particular artist or album there is nothing wrong with stating that in a review, but I am of the opinion that it should not be reflected in the rating and if the reviewer cannot bring themselves to give generally accepted 4-star album a high rating, there should be an option not to rate it at all, so the overall average is not affected.... of course that does not mean that unrated = zero stars.
 
I wouldn't go for that myself Dean. There are some highly rated albums which to my ears are absolute garbage. I feel quite comfortable reflecting that in my rating. I believe having a good cross section of ratings supported by reviews offers the reader the facility to decide for themselves whether the album is likely to appeal to them. I don't believe any album should be immune from adverse ratings if that is the reviewers honest opinion.
 
Where I do have a concern though is in that some reviewers can be rather superficial in their listening. By definition, prog will often be difficult to appreciate. Listening once simply in order to submit a review does not provide the reviewer with sufficient ammunition to write an informed appraisal. What i would like to see, and it is totally impractial(!), is a note beside each review of how often the reviewer has listened to the album.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Finnforest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2008 at 12:38
What I find a bit strange about Ivan's review is not that he doesn't appreciate growls.  Even though that style is inherent to a fair percentage of the genre, he explains clearly that he likes the music but hates the vocal.  Fine, that is opinion.  The part I don't like is that he states right off the top he has only heard the album for a few days, a few plays, something like that.  I think before a SC writes about a highly-beloved piece of music by so many people, it deserves to be given a few weeks or months to be appreciated, not a weekend. 

I'm not proud of all my reviews, especially older ones.  In fact, some are pure sh*t and need to be redone.  But since being given Collab status I think it requires me to give an album a more extended period of plays before I pass a 1 or 2 star rating onto an album that many consider a classic.  Unless we're talking about a rental DVD or something, I really try to listen to anything for a long period before beginning a review. 

These comments are general, I'm not picking on Ivan with this, it was just his review that brought up the topic.

I agree with Bob about reviews without ratings, and of course I agree with Dean about listening for a longer time before rating.   
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