Forum Home Forum Home > Site News, Newbies, Help and Improvements > Help us improve the site
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Reviews discussion
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Reviews discussion
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 6162636465 182>
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
debrewguy View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: April 30 2007
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 3596 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote debrewguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 26 2008 at 23:14
Oh, in going over some Flower Kings' album reviews, I came across an interesting one.
I wonder if this is the sort of example that some are arguing about http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=16132.
Can we agree that your position (or lack of one) within this site does not inoculate you from "frivolous" reviews ? That being a "noobie" does not necessarily mean your reviews are meant for immediate disposal to some sort of digital trashbin ?
And as has been mentioned, "stupid" reviews are seen as such by the reader, or may just be in the eye of the reader, so to speak. There is usually no need to "alert" others. Remember, this thread is for discussing reviews, not for discussing whether or not the writer has any right to hold his opinion.
PA threads have often ranted against fanboyism. And there are a few very much adored musicians & bands that seem to be targets for the most venomous comments from some quarters. In neither case, have I seen the poster's status (noobie to site insider) to be a 100% guarantee of quality or insight.
Indeed, I've been called out because I wrote that I considered (not proclaimed or stated, but plainly said "for me ...) a specific  album to be average. Only to be told that depending on my taste is is either extremely good or extremely bad. Strangely, I thought I had just explained where it fell in my "taste" range.
"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.
Back to Top
Padraic View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: February 16 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Status: Offline
Points: 31169 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Padraic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2008 at 10:20
Originally posted by cubu cubu wrote:


http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=125813


I understand that everybody has its favorite bands, but when it comes to reviewing, I think someone should (at least) try to be as objective as can be. This reviewer, OPETHGUITARIST (???) (maybe just a fan) is obviously writing good reviews for the bands he's in, and NOT writing reviews, but some phrases about the bands he dislikes, in which they look like some pathetic musicians that will never reach the high level of his intelligence or his favorite bands' musical knowledges. I've met these kind of "blind fans" that are jalous of others' popularity (I'm not talking anout pop/dance bands, of course) and every time comes to somebody that makes great music and also have success, they give a lot of "arguments", just to convince you that their favs are the great bands ever. I personally don't like Opeth and I cannot see the progressive in their music, but it's just my problem, I'm not writing bad reviews about them, or trying to convince anybody that their music is stupid.


I don't really see anything wrong with the review.  In fact, I agree with a lot of its points, but that's neither here nor there - OG expressed his opinion clearly, one that you clearly don't share, but he is entitled to it.
Back to Top
TGM: Orb View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: October 21 2007
Location: n/a
Status: Offline
Points: 8052 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TGM: Orb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2008 at 10:25
Um. Certainly just a fan.

I'm not particularly impressed by that review, or some of the others by him I randomly opened, and I think my tastes are mostly different from his, but I think he conveys why he thinks the album's not very good, and that's essentially the point of a review.

If I got an album that I thought was appalling, I'd review it and explain why I didn't like it to hopefully save some money for those whose tastes are similar to mine. Really, that's fair enough.
Back to Top
micky View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46838 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote micky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2008 at 11:46
Originally posted by NaturalScience NaturalScience wrote:

Originally posted by cubu cubu wrote:


http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=125813


I understand that everybody has its favorite bands, but when it comes to reviewing, I think someone should (at least) try to be as objective as can be. This reviewer, OPETHGUITARIST (???) (maybe just a fan) is obviously writing good reviews for the bands he's in, and NOT writing reviews, but some phrases about the bands he dislikes, in which they look like some pathetic musicians that will never reach the high level of his intelligence or his favorite bands' musical knowledges. I've met these kind of "blind fans" that are jalous of others' popularity (I'm not talking anout pop/dance bands, of course) and every time comes to somebody that makes great music and also have success, they give a lot of "arguments", just to convince you that their favs are the great bands ever. I personally don't like Opeth and I cannot see the progressive in their music, but it's just my problem, I'm not writing bad reviews about them, or trying to convince anybody that their music is stupid.


I don't really see anything wrong with the review.  In fact, I agree with a lot of its points, but that's neither here nor there - OG expressed his opinion clearly, one that you clearly don't share, but he is entitled to it.


just because you don't agree with a review doesn't mean it's a bad one. If you see him as a fanboy incapable of doing a good review... find someone whose reviews you DO agree with.
The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
Back to Top
Raff View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: July 29 2005
Location: None
Status: Offline
Points: 24433 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Raff Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2008 at 11:49
The review in question is totally legitimate - and believe me, I do have reasons not to be too keen on that particular reviewer. That said, he didn't write anything derogatory or insulting.. I've seen much more 'aggressive' reviews on this website and elsewhere. While I understand no one likes to see their favourite band or artist bashed, this is what reviewing is about - expressing one's personal opinion.
Back to Top
toolis View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: April 26 2006
Location: MacedoniaGreece
Status: Offline
Points: 1678 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote toolis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2008 at 11:56

and i'd just like to add here that a fan's review is not always subjective cause the way i see it i would be the first to bash my fave band if it disappointed me.. fans are always more 'harsh' judges...
-music is like pornography...

sometimes amateurs turn us on, even more...



-sometimes you are the pigeon and sometimes you are the statue...
Back to Top
Logan View Drop Down
Forum & Site Admin Group
Forum & Site Admin Group
Avatar
Site Admin

Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Status: Offline
Points: 37525 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Logan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2008 at 13:52
Fans are not always harsher judges, I would certainly say.  Quite often the true fanatic finds no fault with his/her idols.   Love is, sometimes, blind, and deaf to boot.  Some never question and avoid criticism from others.

Anyway, I see nothing wrong with that DT review.  Here are his other DT reviews:
4%20stars DREAM THEATER - Images And Words
4%20stars DREAM THEATER - Awake
3%20stars DREAM THEATER - A Change Of Seasons
3%20stars DREAM THEATER - Score - 20th Anniversary World Tour DVD
3%20stars DREAM THEATER - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
2%20stars DREAM THEATER - When Dream And Day Unite
2%20stars DREAM THEATER - Scenes From A Memory Metropolis Part II
2%20stars DREAM THEATER - Train Of Thought
2%20stars DREAM THEATER - Live at Budokan
1%20stars DREAM THEATER - Octavarium
1%20stars DREAM THEATER - Master Of Puppets
1%20stars DREAM THEATER - Falling Into Infinity
1%20stars DREAM THEATER - Systematic Chaos
Back to Top
The T View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: October 16 2006
Location: FL, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 17493 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote The T Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2008 at 14:34

I have never liked his reviews nor his derogatory style but it's true, he doesn't reach the poinbt of insulting and he's free to have whatever opinion he may want to have about any music....

Back to Top
cubu View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie


Joined: May 28 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cubu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 29 2008 at 02:48
Originally posted by NaturalScience NaturalScience wrote:


OG expressed his opinion clearly, one that you clearly don't share, but he is entitled to it.

I agree, he can say anything he wants, but sometimes it's about how you say it. If you are a little curious, there are some reviews above his that are criticizing this album, but they are (let's say) fair. I think in a review you show the good parts, the bad parts, and explain why did you liked it or disliked it. At the first reading it seems like he's doing that, but in fact it's like a lemma that (obviously) doesn't need a demonstration.

"before having even heard it, I could tell exactly when Petrucci would have a ridiculously out of place solo, how Rudess would follow right after him with another ridiculously out of place keyboard extravaganza"

Well, if you're using terms like "ridiculosly", define it. If you can.

Edited by cubu - May 29 2008 at 02:51
Back to Top
debrewguy View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: April 30 2007
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 3596 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote debrewguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 03 2008 at 14:25
Not that there is anything bad or abusive in the reviews, but could Sean Trane's recent reviews have included something more substantive than whether he liked them or not ? Seems we've come down on newbies for much less ...
"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.
Back to Top
Easy Livin View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Joined: February 21 2004
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 15585 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Easy Livin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 03 2008 at 17:04
My reaction was similar, they are not up to the standards he has set for himself of late. I'll invite him to defend himself!Wink
Back to Top
Sean Trane View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator

Prog Folk

Joined: April 29 2004
Location: Heart of Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 20438 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sean Trane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 04 2008 at 05:07
Originally posted by debrewguy debrewguy wrote:

Not that there is anything bad or abusive in the reviews, but could Sean Trane's recent reviews have included something more substantive than whether he liked them or not ? Seems we've come down on newbies for much less ...
 
There is no way these reviews will stay on for a long timeWink. You should know that these are not my usual standard reviews. I just used the text I had written up  in my study about Harper's inclusion....
 
This was just a first draft of the reviews >> The pressure of Harper's inclusion had been relatively strong lately (four or five threads) so I secured a spot and the actual reviews will be coming in the following weeks.
let's just stay above the moral melee
prefer the sink to the gutter
keep our sand-castle virtues
content to be a doer
as well as a thinker,
prefer lifting our pen
rather than un-sheath our sword
Back to Top
debrewguy View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: April 30 2007
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 3596 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote debrewguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 05 2008 at 19:17
Originally posted by Sean Trane Sean Trane wrote:

Originally posted by debrewguy debrewguy wrote:

Not that there is anything bad or abusive in the reviews, but could Sean Trane's recent reviews have included something more substantive than whether he liked them or not ? Seems we've come down on newbies for much less ...
 
There is no way these reviews will stay on for a long timeWink. You should know that these are not my usual standard reviews. I just used the text I had written up  in my study about Harper's inclusion....
 
This was just a first draft of the reviews >> The pressure of Harper's inclusion had been relatively strong lately (four or five threads) so I secured a spot and the actual reviews will be coming in the following weeks.


Good to hear. I can't say that I'm a fan or that i know much of his music. But his following inside the music biz, and his critical rep (not ego) seems pretty solid. His work should make for interesting reviews.

P.S. your current reviews are more like the old S T.


Edited by debrewguy - June 05 2008 at 19:18
"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.
Back to Top
Pnoom! View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: September 02 2006
Location: OH
Status: Offline
Points: 4981 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pnoom! Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 07 2008 at 07:50
Originally posted by cubu cubu wrote:

Originally posted by NaturalScience NaturalScience wrote:


OG expressed his opinion clearly, one that you clearly don't share, but he is entitled to it.

I agree, he can say anything he wants, but sometimes it's about how you say it. If you are a little curious, there are some reviews above his that are criticizing this album, but they are (let's say) fair. I think in a review you show the good parts, the bad parts, and explain why did you liked it or disliked it. At the first reading it seems like he's doing that, but in fact it's like a lemma that (obviously) doesn't need a demonstration.

"before having even heard it, I could tell exactly when Petrucci would have a ridiculously out of place solo, how Rudess would follow right after him with another ridiculously out of place keyboard extravaganza"

Well, if you're using terms like "ridiculosly", define it. If you can.


He's using language that expresses the predictability of the CD.  Where is the problem?

EDIT: also, the review would be overly tedious if he had to explain what he meant for every adjective, especially as self-explanatory an adjective as ridiculously.


Edited by Pnoom! - June 07 2008 at 07:51
Back to Top
micky View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46838 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote micky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 16 2008 at 21:04
hahhaha...  one of the best reviews I've read recently..

you also feel pity for the poor guy...  you feel his anguish hahhaha

http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=174129
The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
Back to Top
Atavachron View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: September 30 2006
Location: Pearland
Status: Offline
Points: 65692 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Atavachron Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 16 2008 at 21:37
Originally posted by prog-expert #1 prog-expert #1 wrote:

http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=173556

Review is not relevant to the album, main point is how Opeth should not be considered a prog band, in direct violation of guidelines. Other points made are simply bashing the album. Reviewer does not talk about the music its self, instead just steers people away, making it seem like no one could possibly like it by generalizing who wouldn't like it.


you're right it's not terribly helpful...   first he says they aren't prog, just metal, then he says if you like metal avoid them  Confused LOL   ...reasonably well-written, though, and probably doesn't merrit deletion







Edited by Atavachron - June 16 2008 at 21:41
Back to Top
Certif1ed View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: April 08 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 7559 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Certif1ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 17 2008 at 04:26
^I've read worse reviews in favour of the album... Wink
 
Can't see any direct violation of the guidelines - unlike the review darkmatter pointed out on the previous page.
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Back to Top
Rivertree View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions

Joined: March 22 2006
Location: Germany
Status: Offline
Points: 17651 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rivertree Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 17 2008 at 05:49
LOL

Oh - he really tried to ignore his opinion? What a painful action ...


Back to Top
T.Rox View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: July 06 2004
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 9455 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote T.Rox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 22 2008 at 03:01
What a blight is that kind of garbage is on the overall quality of PA.
 
Is there any way we can force a minimum of 75 words (375 character) for one star and five star reviews? If a reviewer is so strongly opinionated one way or the other at least they should be prepared to "speak thy mind".
 
I am not a fan of ratings without reviews but I can live with two, three & four stars without supporting words. It just does not stack up with the extremes of one or five star ratings!


Edited by T.Rox - June 22 2008 at 03:01
"Without prog, life would be a mistake."



...with apologies to Friedrich Nietzsche
Back to Top
NotAProghead View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Errors & Omissions Team

Joined: October 22 2005
Location: Russia
Status: Offline
Points: 7970 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NotAProghead Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 22 2008 at 08:16
Originally posted by T.Rox T.Rox wrote:

Is there any way we can force a minimum of 75 words (375 character) for one star and five star reviews? .... 
I am not a fan of ratings without reviews ...
 
OMG, don't do it for five star reviews! Do we really need new DTSOM, ITCOCK, CTTE etc reviews?
 
I'm a big fan of ratings without reviews of albums rated hundreds times.


Edited by NotAProghead - June 22 2008 at 08:17
Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour)
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 6162636465 182>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.285 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.