Reviews discussion

Ricochet wrote: MovingPictures07 wrote: Ricochet wrote: Now that my previous post was shot down in flames and claimed as insulting, I will be more succinct: It's not the one time, Rico, and I'm not only singling you out---so don't feel that way. It's 20+ times in the past month, a constant occurrence from many different people. And I want it to stop. Last time I checked, most people on here respect most everyone else's opinions. Lately, it seems I have been excluded from that by some people---and I want to know what I have done to warrant it. Either that, it stops, or I leave. Fine. And I applaud that you've woken up to see that people are actually assaulting (your) musical tastes and critical values. But don't signal only yourself out of this whole thing, because it's actually an entire history of jokes, ironies and sarcasms, of which you yourself were many times part. And this happens in all forms, frequently: from two persons with contrasting opinions, resorting to jokes, irony or insults to show the contrast even further, to a chat room like the Shred, who's fueled primarily by this attitude, and the forum itself, where people often can't agree to the let the disagreement flowing. The number of times I've been replied with "fail" for not liking Theusz Hamtaakh has also exploded past 20+ times, and also recently, and also by "many different people" (expecting even more, of course). I've both sticked to what's "absolute truth for me", as you've put it, and to not getting openly furious because of the criticism received. But perhaps I need to write it down in a review, get remembered and frequently poked for that, and finally feel that "enough is enough". If "enough is enough", then enough of everything, under any circumstance. Yes indeed! Let's see how impossible that will turn out to be.

I understand that, and my last few posts were simply fueled by my extreme frustration of it. I usually suck it up and move on, but lately it's just become way too much for me and I just need to take a step back for a few days.

I try as hard as I can to not resort to bashing anyone else's opinions, but I'm not perfect, so I know I've made a few missteps---and I try not to make anyone else here feel unwelcome, and I know you (and many others) don't either. Lately it's just felt like that people go out of their way to make fun of someone else (me or anyone else), and that's gotten to me is all.

That's is NOT a standard for anyone but me.

Ok guys, we're all at different point musically both as players and listeners. I am a completely different listener than I was a year ago before I came to this site.

While I don't want to be drawn into this particular debate and I certainly don't want anyone reading this to feel like I am directing it specifically at them, I feel there is a wealth of difference between Professional and Amateur recordings, but not between Professional and Amateur musicians (90% of all musicians are amateur - very few can draw a living wage from making music).

George Martin......

Steven Wilson....

^

Tony R wrote: Easy Money wrote: I probably shouldn't answer for Tony, but I'll probably do lots of other things I shouldn't do today, so what the heck. I think he is just saying that maybe friends or PA associates that get along would be less inclined to be critical because it is natural to be concerned about a friend's feelings and that although being polite is admirable, it may in the long run not be in your best interest as a developing artist who might need to hear something more critical in able to grow. That's exactly what I am saying. This album was given "Masterpiece" status in reviews. Epignosis, do you genuinely feel you have created one of the greatest Prog albums in history? One that will stand up to other so-called masterpieces of Prog? Everyone is entitled to their opinion but for official Prog Reviewers from this site to give your album 5 stars...well, you must be very happy, but wondering why you arent an International Recording artist! I'm not trying to be mean here.

Hey Tony, I know you're an admin and been here pretty much from the begining of the website, but I think the status and definition of 'masterpiece' has pretty much changed, even if it's not written. If that is not so, then only classic 70's Prog albums(and few 60's-00's) could receive the '5 stars' rating, since by your definition the 'masterpiece' status means "one of the greatest Prog albums in history", or did I get that wrong? But really, who can tell which are the greatest prog album in history, that's pretty much subjective, unless you want to look it from a technical/innovating/whatever point of view which is still hard to do.

By your definition also Prog Related albums and most Proto-Prog albums the '5 stars' should be disabled, the same for non-prog albums by prog bands.

And I don't think that to receive the '5 stars' rating from PR you have to be an international recording artist, if that were the case, then PA just seems to focus on the "internation recording" prog bands/artists only, which seems pretty much against the objective from this site.

^ sorry, it changed, but when? Well, sorry for that then... never noticed, it's a good improvement

Tony R wrote: MovingPictures07 wrote: Negoba wrote: On Epignosis' album reviews. Several folks have asked about which reviews were over the top....MovingPictures, who happens to be the lead reviewer, is over the top. Top 3 Symphonic of all time? Even Robert must have rolled his eyes, thought "I love you to bud," and moved on.   Cacho and Micah's were more balanced.   drwlf's was as others have said, intentionally harsh to counter other reviewers. Which is something we're all tempted to do sometimes, rate based on the fact we think an album's rating is too high or too low, or that there aren't enough of this or that. You can't do that. I've reviewed albums and had to give an honest 4 and move the album's rating the opposite direction I intended. You just have to trust that eventually things will average out appropriately.   Unless you wage a campaign to sabotage with multiple accounts........grrrrr. Jay, with all due respect, I am one of the most blunt people you'll ever meet---so I was just as surprised as you that I like Robert's album as much as I do. I'm not one to kiss someone's butt at all; and I've heard the album a good 35 times now. I stand by everything I say in that review as absolute truth in my opinion, regardless of who had made it. Please don't call me out like that. I'm not calling you out but in my humble opinion if you genuinely stand by this: "This is one of the most special albums I own, and easily in my top 3 Symphonic Prog albums ever", in the light of writing this: "The instrumentation is about average, nothing too special," about The Snow Goose by Camel then I would have to tear up the book that says "everyone is entitled to an opinion". Vested interest, hmmmm.

Tony, I'd rather you not jump on your high and mighty horse. My opinion is just as valid as yours, and I stand by both of those statements---and always will. I find The Snow Goose very amateurish and boring, and I find Epignosis's album to be of a different caliber. I don't care whether one was professionally made or not---it doesn't matter. If STW was made by someone I didn't know, it wouldn't affect my opinion of it. And that is not a lie.

You don't know me at all, and I really would like it if you didn't make insinuations about me without any knowledge of the type of person I am.

It doesn't make me look bad though, now, does it?