I really like your review !!

I lost this thread, sorry.  Pl see above the highlighted portion.  Musical analysis is one thing and I like that, I prefer that in a review.  Cert1fied's reviews have lots of great analysis even if some or a lot of it goes right past me.     But I don't like this "this is a symph prog album that reminds a lot of Gabriel Genesis" or "this is prog metal that you need if you like DT etc".  These kind of direct comparisons bias a listener because each one reacts to each band differently.  It sets what I consider false expectations and thereafter it is (a) a miracle that the listener likes the album or (b) the listener anyway doesn't like to get out of his comfort zone of favourite music much so such reviews help him stick to the tried and tested.   The more you describe an album in detail in terms of such comparisons or by referring to sub genres and other specific labels, the more you reveal about your own tastes rather than the album.  I would prefer an appreciation of the manner in which the artist seeks to develop the emotions.  How are these paced, how is contrast used, what if any social themes does it touch upon (again, broadly without getting into too much detail).  This is after all why a piece of music is conceived.  To communicate some emotions (nevermind that we get different emotions out of the same song), not to slot into some genre or to sound like some specific band.   

In a nutshell, I hate spoilers in a review.  I want to be surprised by an album and a review that is too descriptive in specific terms has already denied me that pleasure and forced me to expect something from the album that I probably shouldn't. 

 

Spoilers....? It's not a film btw. So you don't really want to know what the music 'sounds like' and you are just going to buy it anyway..?

Reviews can be many things but again if you don't give a good idea of what the band sounds like-within the body of the review- and that includes comparing it to other bands if needed, then it just becomes an exercise in writing a clever review. I have read many reviews that after reading I still have no clear sense of what the bands music is all about. That's what I'm referring to and not the reviews that both inform and entertain.

 

John, as per our storied norm, I am also "in transit", having a great amount of difficulty in approaching such a massive project , in a style that is not necessarily my plate of pasta . The greatest help from nightfly was to divide the thing into two sections, Nichelodeon and In Sonor. Thank you! 

Intimidated is not the word! 

Finally got through these.   My favourite would be the American Wulf Zendik but I can't find his music anywhere. Long out of print I suppose. Love it though.
Also I really liked Emeraude and Emtidi. Carol Of Harvest is also excellent. I just realized I missed the Oresund Space Collective off-shoot which i'm sure i'll love being a fan of that band. Thanks so much David for taking the time.

Sagi - I have just come across this, and would like to thank you for your very kind comments. You have noticed that I don't spend much time in the forums, which is mostly because when I have chance to spend time writing about music I tend to work on reviews. They are always my main focus as I feel obligated to bands and record labels to write about the albums they have sent me as soon as I can. I don't seem to be able to get the lead time down from six weeks from receipt to review no matter how hard I work at it, but it won't stop me from trying. I am also a special collaborator at metalmusicarchives, so if I'm not writing about prog here I am writing or working on the MMA site, as well as writing on jazz and other things. But, I am determined to try to get more involved in the forums... Honest... 

Thanks John - I appreciate the comments.

I did have 5 or 6 years off for good behaviour where I was actually listening to music for pure pleasure, but I am right back into the review churning mode now, trying to keep a momentum going. I would like to spend some time in the forums, but it won't be for a while I think....

I think the latest Pseudo/Sentai is next on the list....