Modern-Rock Ensemble

There are a bunch of cases like this. They've asked lots of freaks around them (mostly from Ukraine) to post a fine review with 5 stars here and there (e.g. Facebook). 

Yeah, I thought the influx of love for this album was a tad suspicious... It's not a bad album by any means, but I was a bit confused by the overwhelming support, especially for such an obscure project. I suppose we'll just have to let the site sort this out. It's not very often that new albums keep their "masterpiece" momentum.

Tapfret wrote: Their material completely missed the mark for my tastes. That usually means everyone else loves them.

Hah that is how I feel.
To these ears it's basically dad-prog in the vein of Flower Kings, Pendragon, Corvus Stone and Marillion, which, granted is a style of music a lot of (PA) folks go for. I am just not one of them.

Guldbamsen wrote: Tapfret wrote: Their material completely missed the mark for my tastes. That usually means everyone else loves them. Hah that is how I feel. To these ears it's basically dad-prog in the vein of Flower Kings, Pendragon, Corvus Stone and Marillion, which, granted is a style of music a lot of (PA) folks go for. I am just not one of them.

I am! methinks a listen is in order.

I believe it is much more correct and ethical to support a project you like with a 5 star rate and/or review than to give 1 star to an album you have never listened to - simply because it is new and you are a fan of another group.

I am a fan of Modern-Rock Ensemble (known back then as “Putnik”) since 1987 (Duke International Cinema Festival) and there are quite some more. There were hardly any chances for Vladimir to release albums during the Soviet era. Now, after 30 years of composing and playing he releases an album. His old and new fans are providing their opinion on his long-awaited album.

Eugene_S wrote: Let’s correct certain assumptions from the above - reviews and ratings for the Modern-Rock Ensemble are coming not only from Ukraine, but from Belgium, USA, Netherlands, Portugal, Canada, Germany, Russia, France, Peru, Finland, Hungary, UK and other countries. This CD received great comments from Japan, now it reached China. All of these fans have their rights to vote. It’s hardly a right way to “block” this album by 1 star ratings, much better – not to be lazy and to support a beloved group by rating. That was often discussed on PA forums.

Nobody here is talking about blocking anyone.
It is just a wee bit funny to see certain albums (we see them every year) pull in people to PA's database ONLY to support this new band....for then to disappear again. They have no interest in any other music other than the 5 star masterpiece they've rated.
Sure, like Keishiro/Damo just pointed out earlier, no harm done. This is all within the rules...BUT when you have been a member of this site for as long as many of us have, you remember the times you've spent your hard-earned cash on some new album that received 50 raving 5 star reviews in a row....only to be massively disappointed with the album once it landed on your doorstep.
With that being said; if you love this album then don't let anyone tell you differently. More power to you. Just remember that other folks have a right to dislike it. If they feel it is a 1 star album, then it is their right to rate it as such.

That is not what I am saying at all. Every high profile release receives some form of backlash - be that Dream Theater, Steven Wilson, Yes and in this case Modern Rock-Ensemble. You should take this as a compliment btw. Most new acts on PA receives little or next to no exposure whatsoever. The 'killing team' as you call it exists for every major release and there is sadly nothing we can do about it unless we can prove foul play ie people with multiple accounts, illegal downloading or rating manipulating.
Ratings only mean little in the big scheme of things though. Reviews do.

Here are some comments from Vladimir (MRE). They were sent directly to the most aggressive/devoted groups of fans from Canada, Ukraine, Hungary and Japan who were annoyed by the tough “rating trolling” of the band: “Dear fans, please calm down. Very brief comments from my side: a) I am a big fan of Spoke’s Beard and Neal Morse, considering them among 12 Best contemporary Progrock Bands, Neal’s album is surely the Best in 2016! b) Ratings? The quality of my album becomes no worse nor better because of the ratings, c) my main goal was to release the album that the fans of Prog-rock might listen to – the goal was accomplished, d) please don’t make a “dog races” out of the PA votes – good music will suffer. “Merry X-mas! War is over!” – said the Great Man JL and I would like to repeat it. Kindest regards, Vladimir”. I've been among others who received it.

And all of a sudden several replies come in from one and two post newcomers all drawn inexplicably to this single thread. Ten thousand threads on a Prog forum and five or six new posters just manage to find this one thread. Whatever.