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m2thek View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Pet Peeves I Have With Reviews
    Posted: June 09 2010 at 21:03

Before I get started, I want to say that I'm not trying to tell people how to write their reviews, or saying that reviews that do these things are necessarily bad. These are merely things that bug me with reviews that I see constantly. Feel free to add your own, or tell me why I'm crazy for letting these bother me Wink

1. Writing a review as one paragraph
 
This is the biggest offender stylistically. Not even for reviews, but really any post on forums in general. This just makes everything really difficult to read, and gives the impression that there's no organization to a review, but simply random thoughts that came to the reviewer.
 
2. Writing a review by ONLY comparing the sound of the music to another band or album.
 
I think up to a point, comparisons to another band can be useful to the reader. For example, if the review says "If you like Popular Band X, then you should try this," then a pretty good amount of people who read the review will know if this music will or won't fit their tastes. But if the entirety of a review is comparisons to another band, it just seems lazy to not even attempt to describe the music for its own merit. Even if the comparisons are accurate, I think its useful to read what the music is like, rather than who it is like.
 
3. Breaking down every single song on an album
 
Whether this is the entire review, or just a portion, this one always baffles me. I really enjoy reading musical analysis, but when I read a review, the purpose is to find out if I will enjoy an album or not. While this could satisfy that purpose, it's a really roundabout way to do it, and isn't nearly as effective as describing the music in a general sense. Also, I think when reviews do this, it takes away the surprise from a first time listener (if they choose to read it). I don't think anyone would describe every chapter of a book in a review, so I don't understand why this gets done on this site so much. This also tends to make reviews extremely long.
 
 
Those are the big 3 that I notice a lot. I'll add more if I see them.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 09 2010 at 21:45

While I totally agree with #1 (who wouldn't?), I only agree with the second two to some extent. Whereas I personally wouldn't write a comparison review or a track-by-track review, I do see the usefulness in both. 

You have already highlighted the usefulness of a comparison review so I won't expand. However, I personally like track-by-track reviews while I'm listening to an album. I like some in-depth analysis of all the tracks sometimes. I wouldn't consider such a review the ideal review to read when looking for new albums, but I consider them useful while listening.

If these were the only reviews for albums, I would agree. But when albums often have 10+ reviews and sometimes a lot more, I prefer a variety. It's just more interesting that way and offers multiple perspectives. 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 09 2010 at 21:50
There have been so many "reviews discussion" threads, including the one titled just that, that I wonder if this thread couldn't just be rolled into one of them. 

But that's up to the A-team.  Smile
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 10 2010 at 12:44
I agree with all three to some extent, although I like to have at least one track-by-track review on the site for each album.
 
Also, for albums with not very many songs (Close to the edge, hemispheres) it becomes natural, because it breaks the album down into a few concise parts to talk about.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 10 2010 at 13:11
Don't read reviews that bug you.

[/thread]
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 10 2010 at 19:31
I have a tough time with single-paragraph reviews as well, and I try to avoid those. Of course, if they're on the shorter side it isn't a problem, but it really bugs me when there is a really long review as only one paragraph.

The other two really depend for me. Comparing an album to other bands can be very useful when it comes to lesser-known acts, and some track-by-track reviews are helpful as well. It all depends on the review and the person who writes it, though.

Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2010 at 01:46
Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:

Don't read reviews that bug you.

[/thread]



Edited by progkidjoel - June 11 2010 at 01:46
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2010 at 02:48
I don't have a problem with one-paragraph reviews because I concentrate on reading them  Tongue
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2010 at 05:40
^ Well, for me it's very difficult to read such reviews. It's human nature.
There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless,"

   -Andyman1125 on Lulu







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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2010 at 08:32

Threads like this is the ones who scares newbies from contributing with reviews at this site. Which is us shooting ourselves in the foot............ or head. We need more reviews. I have never seen a 6 months old baby run a marathon = don't criticize newbies for their first reviews. Let them grow into the role and routine of reviewing and let them find their own voice and own personality. Diversity is very much encouraged. 

As long as the guidelines is followed, everyone here should be encouraged to review albums and contribute with more stuff to this community. Everyone !

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2010 at 14:31
Most of the people here can't write reviews anyway, and their bias towards symphonic/70s prog sickens me.  Doesn't mean I make a topic about it.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2010 at 14:38
Originally posted by Nightshine Nightshine wrote:

Most of the people here can't write reviews anyway, and their bias towards symphonic/70s prog sickens me.


Thanks for sharing.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 11 2010 at 14:46
Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:

Originally posted by Nightshine Nightshine wrote:

Most of the people here can't write reviews anyway, and their bias towards symphonic/70s prog sickens me.


Thanks for sharing.





No problem.  The truth had to be revealed some day.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 12 2010 at 23:53
I disagree with point three completely except to the extent that a track by track with just a cursory line about each track and nothing else by way of a review is useless.  Otherwise, a breakdown of each track can be useful.  I cannot possibly tell if YOU will enjoy the album I enjoyed, I cannot read your mind. Dead  And if I simply write my opinion about my album that it rules or it sucks,  how does that help you decide either?  You could say that several votes in favour of an album count for something, but in that case, why read reviews, the ratings should be enough.  By describing the music, the reviewer can tell you what is in the album and then you can make up your mind whether you want to try that or not.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2010 at 00:47
Originally posted by toroddfuglesteg toroddfuglesteg wrote:

Threads like this is the ones who scares newbies from contributing with reviews at this site. Which is us shooting ourselves in the foot... or head. We need more reviews.


really?  I don't know, we seem to have more than ever



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2010 at 01:07
Originally posted by progkidjoel progkidjoel wrote:

Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:

Don't read reviews that bug you.

[/thread]

Can't hurt to express advice on how one might make their reviews better though..
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2010 at 02:31
Originally posted by Atavachron Atavachron wrote:

Originally posted by toroddfuglesteg toroddfuglesteg wrote:

Threads like this is the ones who scares newbies from contributing with reviews at this site. Which is us shooting ourselves in the foot... or head. We need more reviews.


really?  I don't know, we seem to have more than ever

but we can get a lot more. in any case, we need fresh blood when both you and I signs of and meets up with our maker. Smile  

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 14 2010 at 10:27
My biggest pet peeve is people who repeatedly review bands they hate. You then get a poor quality review thats just shown by people who are obviously going to give 2 and 1 star reviews to a band because their judgement of what is truly there and the potential of the album is clouded. It's okay to not like a band who is not for you, but repeatedly giving bad reviews to their albums is just plain annoying. It then hurts the average rating and peoples opinions who might be willing to get into the band.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 14 2010 at 12:20
Originally posted by DT-PT DT-PT wrote:

My biggest pet peeve is people who repeatedly review bands they hate. You then get a poor quality review thats just shown by people who are obviously going to give 2 and 1 star reviews to a band because their judgement of what is truly there and the potential of the album is clouded. It's okay to not like a band who is not for you, but repeatedly giving bad reviews to their albums is just plain annoying. It then hurts the average rating and peoples opinions who might be willing to get into the band.


This. I noticed the other day that most of Deerhoof's albums have been reviewed by just one member who clearly doesn't enjoy their music at all or perhaps even fully appreciate why they might appeal to anyone else, and has marked them down accordingly. When I'm more familiar with their albums I try to write some less biased reviews to help counteract them, but it's pretty jarring, and particularly damaging for artists without many ratings.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 14 2010 at 13:04
^I donīt see a problem with 1 and 2 star reviews given by the same reviewer to a certain act. It depends on how the review is written. Who would want to read 5 star reviews only anyways??? I like to read critical reviews of albums that I enjoy, to try and see it from the other side of the fence. As long as the reviews are well written I have no problem with that.
 
And back to the topic, yes I also prefer when people break up their reviews in paragraphs but itīs not a mandatory thing for me to enjoy a review that itīs not so.
 
Personally I generally donīt read track by track reviews. I prefer reviews that give a more general idea of how the music sounds on an album. Itīs allright to mention tracks to get a point across of course but in depth track by track analysis is not something I enjoy. I understand others enjoy those kinds of reviews though so I guess itīs an aquired taste.
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