Magical Mystery Review

JD wrote: Since we've beat the argument of Objectivity vs Subjectivity in reviews pretty much to death, I had another thought on the whole "review debate". Is there value in, is it appropriate to, would you want an air of mystery to a review so as to entice you into giving the music a listen to or do you want the review detailed out so much that you know already what you are about to hear? You may begin...

IMO a review should be a short piece of prose gaining attention for the music itself, not for the writer. If the "magical mistery" style helps to honestly connect new listeners with the music, then it worth the while. People need to discover things by themselves, so, a bit of suggestion can do the trick better than abounding details, leaving space for reader's imagination.

Lewian wrote: I think there's enough magic and mystery in music itself that no review will ever manage to make me know already what I'm about to hear, however hard it may try.

Edited by David_D - March 23 2022 at 10:06

octopus-4 wrote: Even the most possible detailed description of a track can't replace its emotional subjective impact.

JD wrote: Since we've beat the argument of Objectivity vs Subjectivity in reviews pretty much to death, I had another thought on the whole "review debate". Is there value in, is it appropriate to, would you want an air of mystery to a review so as to entice you into giving the music a listen to or do you want the review detailed out so much that you know already what you are about to hear? You may begin...

Edited by moshkito - March 23 2022 at 06:35

JD wrote: Not being a musician myself I would never presume to know what any musician can hear in their head when looking at a score, but I do know educated musicians/composers who have said they know what it would sound like. That being said, there is no way they could hear the 'Interpretation' of the composition. I think in that we agree.

I rarely see spoiler warnings to go with album reviews.

Some reviews, and posts, I find far too enigmatic. Generally, if I like a sense of mystery in a review, then it comes from the expression of the reviewer sharing his or her sense of mystery that comes from listening to the album. I do like many reviewers that take me on a trip-- a magical mystery tour perhaps. I would not expect reading the review to take me on the same trip as listening to the album.

There are exceptions to every rule (or most), and it depends on the writer. I can enjoy a review for is intrinsic values without ever hearing the album or watching the film. I like to read and reviews can be very artistic.

Generally I don't like a lot of details, I will get nuances and detail from listening that I won't from reading, and every reader interprets the music rather uniquely. I won't be hearing it exactly the same as the reviewer or likely making exactly the same associations. People have different brains and experiences/ physiological and psychological differences.

What I often like in reviews are apt comparisons to music. Sometimes I have seen poor reviews (and comments) that will compare the album being reviewed to a very different album stylistically by a very different act. This strange name-dropping is sometimes to make a point. Like why is this cosmic jazz-fusion album included as Prog when this very stylistically dissimilar album is not? I like to see like compared to like, as well as pointing out relevant contrasts. One thing I like in reviews very much is if people compare to and mention similar albums to the one being reviewed. That helps me to draw comparison points to see if I might like this and to find more to like if I like this.

More pertinently, I want to get a a good idea from a review about what I can/ should expect even if no amount of details substitute for hearing it or take away all mystery. One can have spoilers that would take away from the experience and there I would like more mystery. For instance, in one album I have which contains screams, knowing in advance to expect them and when to expect them would alter the experience (while I don't much like jump scares, if reading a horror film review, I don't want to be told when to expect it). Knowing to expect at sometime could add to the suspense. Too much detail can spoil certain surprises and some of the mystery. So, as with film and book reviews one is often careful with spoilers, it can be the same with music.

Describe the genres it covers and stylistic attributes, mention similar music, the kind of emotions it evokes in the listener. Is it light, is it dark, is it complex, is it sad etc. I like to see various descriptors of the music (stylistic attributes, moods etc.), but some reviews try to relate the sounds too much (like when an instruments comes in etc., I can hear that by listening).   A general overview of styles and attributes and similar albums, plus I like to know people favourite tracks if appropriate, plus a sprinkling of humour works for me. And I do like those reviews that bring me along for a ride on that reviewers personal journey. Maybe my journey will be very different, but I can still appreciate that ride.

Edited by Logan - March 23 2022 at 07:03

Logan wrote: ... One thing I like in reviews very much is if people compare to and mention similar albums to the one being reviewed. That helps me to draw comparison points to see if I might like this and to find more to like if I like this. ...