Why many people dislike The Flower Kings

The Wizard wrote: progismylife wrote: The Wizard wrote: Visitor13 wrote: I've just given The Wizard's review a read and I don't see a problem with it. It's harsh but IMO fair - it does seem like he listened to the album multiple times (I'm not familiar with Paradox Hotel, BTW, I like The Flower Kings, but I do understand the people who don't). I'd give similar reviews to some highly revered classic prog albums, but that's beside the point. I don't think saying things like "there are worse albums out there" changes anything. Sure, there are worse albums than Paradox Hotel, but are they prog? This is a prog site, I like to believe that everything that makes it here maintains at least a bare minimum of quality - and that minimum quality is represented by the one star. And everyone is entitled to using the one star rating, providing they've tried to approach the album in question with the minimum of bias, which I believe The Wizard has done. So please stop trying to prove he's objectively wrong. You can't prove that. Let his review be.Not that The Wizard can prove he's objectively right, either. At least someone is willing to step up and defend my right to have an express an opinion![IMG]smileys/smiley17.gif" align=middle> Where did you get the idea that we think you shouldn't have the right to express your opinion? [IMG]smileys/smiley5.gif" align=middle> People have suggested that my review be deleted.

    
Really? I just don't agree with the rating you gave it. But I don't think it should be deleted.

The Wizard wrote: Visitor13 wrote: I've just given The Wizard's review a read and I don't see a problem with it. It's harsh but IMO fair - it does seem like he listened to the album multiple times (I'm not familiar with Paradox Hotel, BTW, I like The Flower Kings, but I do understand the people who don't). I'd give similar reviews to some highly revered classic prog albums, but that's beside the point. I don't think saying things like "there are worse albums out there" changes anything. Sure, there are worse albums than Paradox Hotel, but are they prog? This is a prog site, I like to believe that everything that makes it here maintains at least a bare minimum of quality - and that minimum quality is represented by the one star. And everyone is entitled to using the one star rating, providing they've tried to approach the album in question with the minimum of bias, which I believe The Wizard has done. So please stop trying to prove he's objectively wrong. You can't prove that. Let his review be.Not that The Wizard can prove he's objectively right, either. At least someone is willing to step up and defend my right to have an express an opinion!

Where did you get the idea that we think you shouldn't have the right to express your opinion?

I think their production could be more elaborate when it comes to dynamics. Sound engineer is just not quite accomplishing the sound I personally look for. I have days when I go through their music effortlessly, and others when I just can't stand it. The lead vocals can be sometimes very annoying, just as the accent of the vocalist is at times. Sometimes, the vocals are just bit too soft. I sense that it is their understanding of how they want their music to sound but even though it is a colorful fest of sounds, the full spectrum of colors they are capable of is not coming through on many occasions. There is always a wonderful mix of ideas interupted by some banal, boring section. Perhaps if they somewhat shortened the albums, the impression of the listener would benefit. I also feel this Scandinavian coldness of calculating, very professional musicians who are perfect (and sometimes dry) in what they do and they somewhat tend to stay in that comfort zone, does have a negative effect on those who like a big amounts of emotion in music. (One of the most emotional/prolific/skilled bands I have ever listened to was SBB - I highly recommend 'SBB 3', 'Slovenian Girls', 'Follow My Dreams' and, 'Welcome').  

Edited by andympick - December 27 2006 at 17:21

^^ I just can't get into them.. I bought a copy of Space Revolver when it came out, and it did nothing for me despite plenty of listens... I also saw them headline Whitchurch festival in about 2001, which to me was quite a listless and uninspired show..

stonebeard wrote: MikeEnRegalia wrote: Asyte2c00 wrote: Regressive Progressive Rock.    Mundane, Insipid Lyrics.    Why listen to TFK when you can listen to Yes? Why listen to Yes when you can listen to Kayo Dot?[IMG]alt=Tongue src="smileys/smiley17.gif" align=absMiddle>   Why listen to Kayo Dot when you can listen to Marillion. [IMG]height=17 alt=Tongue src="http://www.progarchives.com/forum/smileys/smiley17.gif" width=17 align=absMiddle>     See, the world moves in circles. [IMG]height=17 alt="Ying Yang" src="http://www.progarchives.com/forum/smileys/smiley33.gif" width=17 align=absMiddle>

    

Why make music when you know someone out there is better than you (unless you're Frank Zappa).

Asyte2c00 wrote: Regressive Progressive Rock.    Mundane, Insipid Lyrics.    Why listen to TFK when you can listen to Yes?

Why listen to Yes when you can listen to Kayo Dot?

eugene wrote: Visitor13 wrote: While I kinda agree with you, Andu, I don't think much of 'hedging' in reviews. To me it's a given that however you phrase your opinion, it's going to remain just that - an opinion.   I agree with you, but not all the people take it like that. I remember editing my posts just adding IMO after every other sentence, so that other people do not jump at me in anger thinking that I am declaring an Absolute Truth.

Yeah, I almost got into that habit, too.

Visitor13 wrote: While I kinda agree with you, Andu, I don't think much of 'hedging' in reviews. To me it's a given that however you phrase your opinion, it's going to remain just that - an opinion.

Visitor13 wrote: I've just given The Wizard's review a read and I don't see a problem with it.

though i couldn't know if he is right or wrong, there is plenty of "how not to review" there. for example, instead of "Unfortunately Paradox Hotel does not offer that." i'd say "Unfortunately I don't find that in Paradox Hotel." The same goes for:

- The album is bland, uninspired, and just plain weak / I find the album bland, uninspired, and just plain weak
- It does nothing to really provoke any emotional reaction or even inspire any thought. / It does nothing for me to really provoke any emotional reaction or even inspire any thought.
- The music won't make you feel or think or anything of the sort. / The music didn't make me feel or think or anything of the sort.
- There's really nothing to listen for. As a fact, there are other listeners that have certified (by reviewing) that they found something to listen for.
- There's no thing offered by this album. Well, if The Wizard says so...I guess The Wizard is the referee of taste and albums are made directly for his evaluation. If he doesn't find anything in there, we, the rest, shouldn't even try.

.........

beyond being less useful for those who consider approaching the respective album and thus looking for elaborate opinions, this kind of reviewing is first of all un-ethical, especially in the case of democratic (user-reviews) forum. one can not just say "my opinion is the truth, the true knowledge". as i said somewhere else, one's subjectivity can be managed objectively, aka fairly.

Of course if you introduce more steps another problem arises: The agony of choice. Have a try on my website if you like.