Reviews discussion

taking a cigarette break for an intermission before reading pt 2 of that review, actually talking about the album Tago Mago itself 

Edited by micky - March 24 2007 at 09:40

well that review inspires me ... to do a micky first here at PA's.. a review.. of a review.

http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=107165

Review by micky (Michael)
[Special Collaborator Italian Prog and Art Rock Specialist]
Posted 4:12:06 PM EST, 4/9/2006

Inpraiseoffoly has managed to sum up () everything that we love in prog reviewing. Pretentious, overblown, full of padding to achieve that mythical length to achieve 'epic' status. While I think that Future Days is simply a better album, his review his convinced me to knock the dust off of my copy of Tago Mago and give it another listen.  There can be no great reward to a reviewer than to either inspire someone to check out an album, stay far away from an album, or get a listener to reconsider their existing notions of it.  In my book a masterpiece of prog reviewing.. 5 stars.. easy

Michael (aka micky)

I'm gonna get sanctioned (as in my post being moved or deleted) for talking additionally to two notices here, but:

1. MOTHER OF ALL MONSTERS REVIEWS !!! (@inpraiseoffolly's Tago Mago). are you actually editing some of your weakest or short reviews, or your already 2000+ words as well!!
we aren't all Clem here, you know, neither many of a kind Clem. and it's no race of super-wording. 


2. to phillipe's review, generally it has the completely opposite effect of a moral being made or of a concise negative rations being said; it makes me (personally) utterly sad, because I love like mad the Minister In The Gallery album. but, in all, it's just a position taken.

phillipe doesn't usually reviewing anything besides, electronic, kraut or raga.
oliverstoned, surprisingly, finds the "folkish" side of the Tull period disgusting. (uh...as well)

some notes are permitted, as in appreciating that:

1. he took too seriously the "folk" fluency of the album, as in saying how, by not reaching full potential, everything else (the rock, the mood, the emotions, the I-don't-know-what) is "b*****dized"
2. the impact of a band like Jethro Tull is either fully ignored, either taken as offendfull
3. bitterness, again, deflects moral, appreciation or too much of a creative writing.

but in all, I wouldn't harm philippe's view by anything. out of the specific guidelines or the personal appreciation mottos...


Edited by Ricochet - March 24 2007 at 10:07

Rico....  one thing we should not lose sight of.....in Philippe's case is knowing the reviewer, their likes and their dislikes.  I don't think anyone would give a flip if I trashed a DT album,  but if Philippe trashed a KR or electronic album or for myself an RPI album.  A smart reader might sit up and take notice since we, in theory, know those subs better than anyone.  

Edited by micky - March 24 2007 at 10:11

Ricochet wrote: micky wrote: progismylife wrote: micky wrote: amen Ivan.....   being concise is an art lost to many reviewers here. But, but I like my 1000 word essays hahhahah...  there's no crying in prog... and I like my 700-800 word reviews. too concise isn't always the adequate taste; oftenly, it's a free appreciation, a word in vain or a gust of a "hey, I checked this out, came in like this:..." to the point of a reviewing that isn't after all a "master interpretation" (since we are fans or adequate appreciators, in order to form such impressions), I think some substance, plus neglecting a bit the "writing for recommendation" thing, is the best balance.

you are quite right Rico...  taking Philippe again as an example, again let's not lose sight that Philippe isn't a reviewer, anymore than I am... I suck at it myself .  His benefit to the site is what goes on behind the scenes, if he uncorks a stinker of a review, who cares.  Anyone who really would be influenced either way by such reviews gets what they deserve anyway .

Ricochet wrote: (philippe, by the way, did trashed some KRs or Electronic albums - or artists, for that matter)

Zitro wrote: http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=116217 Porcupine's new album didn't come out yet ... and it already has four 5-star ratings and even this review.

It may be what he heard on an advance or a promo. Same thing happening with many albums added here, just out of full information, before they get officially on the "market". (I still find something unnatural in this policy - or permission)

Marillion's Somewhere Else hasn't been forgotten neither, up to this point of one month still to go.

and regarding the 5-star reviewless ratings, what can we say? if four people acted that way, there's hardly a blamefull thing in it; however suspicious.
But it can look just as like an easy, fanly made rant over the music.


Edited by Ricochet - March 24 2007 at 11:44

http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=12800 How come he has 2 DSOTM ratings though?

Zappa88 wrote: Man Erg wrote: micky wrote: andu wrote: It's a remarkable performance to break that many reviewing guidelines in such a short text... while being a major Collaborator:http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=116250 what's wrong with it . Aren't we allowed to have opinions hahahha One of the best reviews on PAs. I haven't laughed so much in ages   "b*****dization"... I outghta write that one down

philippe wrote: Ricochet wrote: (philippe, by the way, did trashed some KRs or Electronic albums - or artists, for that matter)   That is already done! About JT we must resituate the debate around people who believe to the roots of bucolic, rustic prog folk songs. I particularly dislike popular mainstream acts, especially when we put the label of superlative music on it!