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Topic ClosedShould reviews be written only by genres'

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Peter View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 08:32
Originally posted by The Whistler The Whistler wrote:

No, because I hate people who only review one specific genre or the like. It's a sign of narrow mindedness.
 
So tell me then:  how am I supposed to get these albums from genres i know I dislike? Buy them? i don't think so! Steal them? Risk criminal prosecution for something I don't even want? Confused
 
And then, even if I do somehow get some of those strongly-disliked albums, I'll have to force myself to listen to them enough times to be able to review them. Why would I do that? What's in it for me?Confused
 
I think some of you nay-sayers aren't really thinking this through! Stern%20Smile
 
And re your sweeping "narrow-mindedness" generalization, surely we all have our individual limits on the types of music we enjoy. Is that really indicative of a serious character flaw, and someone worthy of your hatred? Ermm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 08:39
i think people should write reviews on any album they feel they wanted to, regardless the genre...
The devil we blame our atrocities on is really just each one of us.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 08:41
^ since you live in Canada you could simply use Napster. But I think the main point is: Who has time to listen to countless albums he doesn't like? I don't ... and that's also why I don't write many negative reviews. I simple don't listen to albums which I don't like often enough to be qualified to write a review.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 08:44
Originally posted by MikeEnRegalia MikeEnRegalia wrote:

Generally I'd say that a fan of the band is in a better position to write a helpful review for an album than someone who completely dislikes the band or the style.

Imagine someone who completely dislikes onions and one day decides to post reviews of dishes which contain onions. These reviews will probably be negative ... and even if that person tries to be objective and to judge the dish from the perspective of someone who likes onions, it would still be a little bit awkward ... and how would that person be able to distinguish good onions from bad onions?




Complete fanboy or complete disliker is just as worthless or valuable imo, and that was my point.

I would have no interest in reading reviews of a young fanboy (not talking about The T) with little musiclistening experience outside of his preferred subgenre, no understanding of for example Progmetal's historical irrelevance (ok, or relevance), progressive-wise.

I think we should treasure the few negative reviews, compared to the owerhhelming amount of five stars, we have here. (I'm guilty of giving probably more than 30% fivestars myself)


Edited by Rocktopus - May 02 2007 at 08:59
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 08:52
Originally posted by MikeEnRegalia MikeEnRegalia wrote:

^ since you live in Canada you could simply use Napster. But I think the main point is: Who has time to listen to countless albums he doesn't like? I don't ... and that's also why I don't write many negative reviews. I simple don't listen to albums which I don't like often enough to be qualified to write a review.
 
Is that free? (seriously)
(It is against my moral principles to acquire art without (someone) paying the artist.)
 
But as you say, Mike, no matter the financial cost, why would we want to force ourselves to repeatedly listen to music we dislike? Confused We are not paid reviewers!Stern%20Smile
 
Plus, the resulting review will almost certainly be unfair, uninformed, and of little use to the genre's actual fans.
 
Now, I gotta go eat a sickenly-sweet breakfast cereal, ruin my coffee with lots of sugar, and listen to some Village People, Shania and 50 Cent, to sponge away my despicable "narrow mindedness." I hope you all appreciate my noble sacrifice at the altar of critical impartiality! Ouch
 
 
Riiiiiiiiiight.....Wink


Edited by Peter - May 02 2007 at 09:08
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 09:00
Originally posted by Rocktopus Rocktopus wrote:

Complete fanboy or complete disliker is just as worthless or valuable imo, and that was my point.

I would have no interest in reading reviews of a young fanboy (not talking about The T) with little musiclistening experience outside of his preferred subgenre, no understanding of for example Progmetal's historical irrelevance (ok, or relevance), progressive-wise.

I think we should treasure the few negative reviews, compared to the owerhhelming amount of five stars, we have here. (I'm guilty of giving probably more than 30% fivestars myself)
Yes, negative reviews themselves are fine (I have several here) but that is not the issue. The issue is the validity/desirability of reviewing music from entire genres you dislike.
 
All of my metal (or rap, or disco) reviews would be negative. What would be the point in reading them? Shouldn't I just outline my overall tastes once, in my reviewer's profile? 
 
Plus, one would come in for a LOT of nasty abuse here (and rightly so, perhaps) if one continued to savage an entire genre. Who needs all that negativity in their lives?
 
Should non prog fans review here? What would be the point, pray tell?Confused


Edited by Peter - May 02 2007 at 09:03
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 09:13
Originally posted by Peter Peter wrote:

Originally posted by MikeEnRegalia MikeEnRegalia wrote:

^ since you live in Canada you could simply use Napster. But I think the main point is: Who has time to listen to countless albums he doesn't like? I don't ... and that's also why I don't write many negative reviews. I simple don't listen to albums which I don't like often enough to be qualified to write a review.
 
Is that free? (seriously)
(It is against my moral principles to acquire art without (someone) paying the artist.)


They charge a fixed monthly fee (10 EUR in Germany, I don't know about Canada but you can find out at www.napster.cn). Then when you listen to music through Napster they record playback statistics, and in a nutshell your subscription fee is forwarded to the artists/companies you listened to.Smile
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 09:21
Originally posted by Peter Peter wrote:

Yes, negative reviews themselves are fine (I have several here) but that is not the issue. The issue is the validity/desirability of reviewing music from entire genres you dislike.
 
All of my metal (or rap, or disco) reviews would be negative. What would be the point in reading them? Shouldn't I just outline my overall tastes once, in my reviewer's profile? 
 
Plus, one would come in for a LOT of nasty abuse here (and rightly so, perhaps) if one continued to savage an entire genre. Who needs all that negativity in their lives?
 
Should non prog fans review here? What would be the point, pray tell?Confused


I get that. IMO they help even out the inexperienced fanboy reviewers, giving fivestars mostly based on lack of knowledge. I think of those just as pointless or valuable, and if you (not you) start removing that kind of negative reviews, you'd have to go through the all the fivestars as well, and remove the blindly worshipping ones. That sounds almost impossible.

BTW: I think my strong dislikes (ca. 90% of what I've heard) of the genres Neoprog and Progmetal is valid and based on knowing progs history wery well. If I bothered to take the time, I'd make a one star review of DT or Symphony X based on that. If I think that has a value, why shouldn't I?    


Edited by Rocktopus - May 02 2007 at 09:31
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 09:30
Originally posted by Rocktopus Rocktopus wrote:


I get that, and I think they help even out the young, inexperienced fanboy reviewers, giving five stars mostly based on lack of knowledge.  Clap for those not convinced >> read my post on last page at the bottom I think of that as just as pointless or valuable, and I think if you (not you) start removing that kind of negative reviews, you'd have to go through the all the fivestars as well, and remove the blindlyt worshipping ones as well. That sounds almost impossible.

BTW: I think my dislikes (90%) of the genres Neoprog and Progmetal is valid and based on knowing progs history wery well. If I bothered to take the time, I'd make a one star review of DT or Symphony X based on that. If I think that has a value, why shouldn't I?    
 
indeed, I feel the same about my reviewing of Neo. Sometimes I wish I would actually fake reviews to lower the ratings of albums I deem not worthy of the constant fanboy praises. But then, again, I turn over and think, why bother?
 
BTW, I don't buy or rent records to review something I know I don't like ahead of time, but to discover new music. I have the immense facility to rent albums for a week  and study them for the moderate price of 1.5€/album . This may seem expensive to Mike, but I get the booklet along, something lacking in MP3 downloading.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 09:31
Originally posted by Rocktopus Rocktopus wrote:


BTW: I think my dislikes (90%) of the genres Neoprog and Progmetal is valid and based on knowing progs history wery well. If I bothered to take the time, I'd make a one star review of DT or Symphony X based on that. If I think that has a value, why shouldn't I?    


Because you would risk making a fool of yourself. Suppose you gave one star to Symphony X - Twilight in Olympus or Dream Theater - Awake, would that help prog metal fans decide which album to get next? If you give 1 star to the best albums of the genre, then what about the average and sub par prog metal albums ... would these be 0 or -1 stars then? And finally: I don't think that any prog metal fan would stop listening to prog metal just because people like you bash the genre ... if anything it would strengthen their resolve and confidence in their own taste.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 09:37
I'd take that risk.

If I hear a one star, and then I hear something even worse, that would be a one star too of course. If I ate the worst meal I ever had, and then tried something that tasted even worse after that, the first meal is still just as bad. Fortunatly for me, you and everyone, I'm not going to waste my time doing any of this.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 09:38
In my opinion this review is the perfect example of a review that should have been deleted immediately after publishing, what a ridiculous crap, it doesn't inform the visiting progheads in a right way. If Prog Archives allows this kind of reviews, we don't take our visiting progheads serious because this kind of reviews lacks respect and skills and it''s only based upon provoking in a very childish way, very poor Angry !
 

NEXUS — Perpetuum Karma

Review by Prophet

1%20stars Mirar Hacia El Centro" starts with keyboards and heavy guitar. At time 7:00 the song calms down and (male)vocals join in. Note, Mariela Gonzalez is gone and that's sad, because the male voice cannot compete to her, not even close. At 11:30 the song changes again to keyboard oriented instrumental. For an over 17 minutes song it cannot keep up the interest - it doesn't have enough to offer. The song is actually 17 minutes of uninspired organ soloing! 2½ stars.

"Perpetuum Karma" - a 15 minutes organ solo, self repetitive annoying organ solo! Near the end there's a vocal gap that grants a short relief from that f...ing keyboard player. Certainly the weakest track. 1 stars.

"Del Absimo Al Sol" is a beautifulish "gilmour" ballad, but again: too long and uninspired. The good thing is, keyboards doesn't ruin this song. 2 stars.

"Travesia" is just another organ solo. Wah! Certainly almost weaker and more annoying than "Perpetuum Karma"! 1 star.

"Cruces Y Sombras" continues the hammond/keyboard thing in a manner that when "En Ese Viento" arrives, the listener is so pissed off, that he hangs himself. 1 and 1,5 stars.

If you survive listening to this record, i'll promise, you'll hate Lalo Huber (the keyboard player) for the rest of your life. Hope, you don't begin to hate organs, for that's possible too.

There's 3 important things Nexus should do immediately: 1. Kick Lalo Huber out, Fast! He thinks he's the newborn Bach or Organ God or something and I've never heard weaker and more naive player. 2. Hire Mariela Gonzales back. 3. Stop marketing their albums by mass-posting praising reviews all over the internet.

Make yourself a favor: Don't ever listen to this record, it may cause you to hate organs and synths and all keyboards.

Posted Monday, April 30, 2007, 05:43 EST



Edited by erik neuteboom - May 02 2007 at 09:39
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 09:50
Just a random example. Is this any better?

DREAM THEATER — Train Of Thought

Review by cdfe.vf

5%20stars This is a great album! You have to listen many times to being involved into it! Supreme technical music; deep lyrics; shred solos; heavy riffs; great vocals; beautiful progressions; beautiful concept: DT are the best group on the planet earth. This album is a step of their continuos progression. There is no doubt: Train of Thought is exellent!!!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:05
Erik, Krister
 
Those two reviews are very helpful. I know I must avoid both albums. Because the Nexus albums seems bad and the DT seems bad tooLOL
 
But in terms of credibility I prefer the Prophet character.Wink
let's just stay above the moral melee
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:14
OK Sean, you can expect some reviews about Iron Maiden, Dream Theater and The Beatles in the vein of Prophet, you won't be bored for a single second while reading those reviews ... and it is a cheap way to reach my review #1000 Wink !
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:16
^^ Those two reviews say a lot about the reviewer, but very little about the album. Why do you use them as an excuse to "condemn" the album?

Edited by MikeEnRegalia - May 02 2007 at 10:48
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:22
Of course I am not Mike, I was only joking because if I start to review that way I show no respect and then I contradict myself to an earlier post in this thread Wink
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:23
Originally posted by erik neuteboom erik neuteboom wrote:

OK Sean, you can expect some reviews about Iron Maiden, Dream Theater and The Beatles in the vein of Prophet, you won't be bored for a single second while reading those reviews ... and it is a cheap way to reach my review #1000 Wink !
 
you'd better hurry thenTongue, 'cause I'm on a rating spreeEmbarrassed, and closing up on your unfair advantageEvil%20SmileClown ( I have to pay for the albums I review, you get a deal of them free through that mag of yours)
 
BTW, although not well written (probably by a non-native English speaker) the Nexus review, i find gives me a good idea what the album sounds like, and apparently he heard other albums of theirs.
 
I think you are more upset because he dislike what you try to promote.


Edited by Sean Trane - May 02 2007 at 10:26
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
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:26
I like reviewing albums that I havn't even heard because I feel moved by the spirit of the FrippPig
I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:40
Sean, the only reason why I am a bit upset is about that Nexus review by Prophet is that five inspired and enthousiastic Argentine progheads made a wonderufl album that is nailed in a ridiculous way, no band deserves to be treated that way and we should be alert that this too verbally agressive and sarcastic language will not become common, that's my main concern. By the way, the Nexus promoting goes on in my own thread Sean LOL
 
Here's another example how somebody indulged himself in nailing music in an extremely sarcastic and verbally agressive way, in my opinion this should also have been deleted!
 
RUSH — 2112
Review by Teaflax (John Thelin)

1%20stars That this embarrassment of an album is highly praised by anyone who is not a Metal and Sci Fi-obsessed pimply teenage fanboy is simply inexplicable. It's full of pointless pretention and ludicrous concepts together with some of the worst singwriting Rush have ever committed to vinyl. Yes, this is defintiely where Prog Rush was born, but all the problems of that particular period - and they are legion - are here in full force; heavy-handed experimentation side by side with tired cliché, ludicrously high intellectual ambitions entirely unmet and laughable philosophizing with all the depth of a sun-dried puddle.

The Prog period that this ushered in was definitely better on these counts, but this is obviously a faltering step into that area with heart (and brain) still firmly in Hard Rock territory. I believe Rush got better the more they moved away from both these aspects; the stiff virtuosity of their Prog style as well the hackneyed Hard Rock that they started out with, and there's really nothing *but* these two aspects on this album.

So, this is one for completionists, Hard rockers or Objectivists. Not for anyone else

 


Edited by erik neuteboom - May 02 2007 at 10:46
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