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Topic ClosedWhat are you looking for in an album review?
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lazland View Drop Down
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Joined: October 28 2008
Location: Wales
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Points: 13766 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 30 2014 at 14:07
Personally, I always look for a review by a bloke living in Cymru named Lazland. Intelligent, knowing, witty, pithy, yet also approachable, warm, and, above all, bloody sexy.
Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org

Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time!
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JD View Drop Down
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Joined: February 07 2009
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Points: 18446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 30 2014 at 13:51
I like to provide the following information with the hopes that it gives the reader enough of a basis to at least understand in general terms the pros and cons of an album. I absolute loath track by track reviews.

-Full Disclosure (My experience with a band or genre)
-Production (How the recording sounds)
-Song Writing (Strength of Composition)
-Originality (Self explanitory)
-Performance (Strength of musical ability)
-General Impressions (Summary of album as a whole)
Thank you for supporting independently produced music
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Points: 898 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 30 2014 at 11:19
Originally posted by SteveG SteveG wrote:

Albums reviews are the raison d'etre for the existence of PA. What specifically are you looking or would like to see in album reviews? For me, I'm looking for some musical example based on other groups or the reviewed group's previous albums and their diversions as well as sound quality of the recorded material. Again, what do you want to see in album review. And if what you want is actually presented at times, please say so.

I agree. While broad categorizations are helpful (e.g., I'm not a big neo prog fan so tend to avoid groups listed as neo prog), in addition to a broad overview of the offering, group and contents, I tend to find the most helpful information to be comparisons to other groups, or statements to the effect of "if you like xxxx, or xxxx you might like this." This is the information that will tend to drive me to listening to a new offering or new group.
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Progosopher View Drop Down
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Points: 6472 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 30 2014 at 11:04
I try to write reviews that give the information I want to see - a little knowledge of music itself and the artist, the aspects of the album that resonates with me and those that don't of course, but most especially why they do or do not.  A mere expression of an opinion is boring to read but one that explains itself is interesting.  Creativity and humor is also a plus.  As an avid reader of books I also like to see good writing.  A good review gets beyond the surface and maybe even says a little bit about the writer in the process.
The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
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SteveG View Drop Down
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Points: 20617 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 30 2014 at 10:40
Albums reviews are the raison d'etre for the existence of PA. What specifically are you looking or would like to see in album reviews? For me, I'm looking for some musical example based on other groups or the reviewed group's previous albums and their diversions as well as sound quality of the recorded material. Again, what do you want to see in album review. And if what you want is actually presented at times, please say so.


Edited by SteveG - October 30 2014 at 11:13
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