Reviews and ratings - does it make sense?

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   We have been this way time after time, but the question stands more debated. I've argued that any reasonable person really can't have more than 10 or so 5 star albums (at least from the guidance given here - however, it is easier to give an album 5 stars according to Amazon's criteria). Therefore when a prolific reviewer give 5 stars in PA album after album, my reaction is that the person is too easily pleased so not particulary discerning and/or young enough not to have had a broad exposure to the breadth and depth of music out there. Every favourite group with large enough discographies, will make inferior albums. 

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Dick Heath Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Jazz-Rock Specialist Joined: April 19 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 12818	Posted: November 17 2005 at 11:25
	We have been this way time after time, but the question stands more debated. I've argued that any reasonable person really can't have more than 10 or so 5 star albums (at least from the guidance given here - however, it is easier to give an album 5 stars according to Amazon's criteria). Therefore when a prolific reviewer give 5 stars in PA album after album, my reaction is that the person is too easily pleased so not particulary discerning and/or young enough not to have had a broad exposure to the breadth and depth of music out there. Every favourite group with large enough discographies, will make inferior albums.

Blacksword Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: June 22 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 16130	Posted: November 17 2005 at 11:20
	The ratings discussion comes around almost every week, and the consensus is always the same... Reviews are nothing more than expressions of personal taste. What you may consider a 'sundry' record maybe someone elses idea of a masterpiece. It's true that some reviews are simply ludicrous and completely un-informative, whether a 5 star or 1 star rating has been given. But, as far as I'm concerned folk can award whatever they like if their review explains their reasoning behind the score they have given. I cant comment on GG, as the little I've heard doesn't do much for me personally.
	Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!

OT Räihälä Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 09 2005 Location: Finland Status: Offline Points: 514	Posted: November 17 2005 at 11:08
	I find the average ratings in the reviews quite useless, because a lot of reviewers seem to give five stars to sundry records very easily. I haven't written that many reviews myself, but I would save five stars to absolute gems only, to albums that I'm definitely sure I could have with me on a desert island, and never get tired with them (there are not many of them!). It means that even if I think that my favourite band (Gentle Giant) is way above anything else, I can't give five stars to every GG album, because I think that i.e. Acquiring The Taste is far better than Gentle Giant. Now that I mentioned Gentle Giant and ratings, it is interesting to see that their most-liked album Octopus just makes top twenty, yet a lot of people seem to think GG are really, really good. Does this mean that people who like that kind of extreme music are more critical even within GG's own output?