Objective review about genres you dislike

It's true. I could never give an objective review, for example , for a rap album. I just hate the genre as a whole, and can't find differences between rap artists, so it's not worth even trying. It also pisses me off when some people who never listen to metal music, write reviews on metal albums. It's just not right!!

It's very difficult to have an objective opinion because it requires knowledge, and most people don't bother learning about things they dislike. It seems to be hard enough for people to have an informed opinion about things they do like!

But true objectivity is impossible. All you can do is present your opinion with a disclaimer (i.e., "I'm not a fan of this kind of thing, but here's what I think anyway"). This alerts the reader to your preferences and keeps them aware that you're stating an opinion- rather than the usual "this is the best/ worst ever and anyone who doesn't recognize that is stupid".

Edited by James Lee

James said it.

I would add that such reviews can be useful, if prefaced with the "disclaimer," as there will be others with similar tastes & dislikes, who might otherwise unwittingly buy the album, and hate it. 

See my review of Haggard -- You don't like gruff, affected "demonic" vocals in your prog? Stay away from Haggard, then!

I rather have information than opinions in a review! Opinions are for those who wants to shine themselfs when writing, information is for those who puts the reader first!

MikeEnRegalia wrote: tuxon wrote: Objective reviews, who needs objectivity in a review, I like reviews as subjective as possible, what does the reviewer like about the album, or doesn't like about it. I'm not interested in the consensus view. Woody Allen once said that "objectivity is subjective" ... quite true. I'm not interested in a consensus view either. But if you are biased against the entire genre, you don't really have a reason to express that bias against a particular artist of the genre. Where's the point in saying "I don't like Metal, and that's why Dream Theater sucks". tuxon wrote: I think I can write decent reviews for genres I don't like, and they will be highly subjective, of course you should explain why you don't like it. I don't like objective reviews, they tell me nothing. Of course such posts can be informative and entertaining, but the negative effect on the rating is not ok ... maybe there should be an option "no rating" in addition to the five stars.

So in the end all you want, is positive reviews from the fans and no other.

Please no critisism, no negative opinions please.

A review can not be objective. Positive reviews are as biased as negative ones.

MikeEnRegalia wrote: Of course such posts can be informative and entertaining, but the negative effect on the rating is not ok ... maybe there should be an option "no rating" in addition to the five stars.

One might argue that the statistical effect overall (including the 'biased' ratings) is the only thing even approaching objectivity. If an album is only reviewed by gushing fans, it will appear to have more importance than it deserves.

Not liking it, doesn't mean you don't know it.

You can't write reviews about albums you don't know, but if you know an album your sufficiently knowledgable to write a review about it.

Reviews aren't written for people who already have the album, they don't need a review. Reviews are written for people who don't have the album, or don't know the band. All information (positive and negative) can be helpfull in providing insight in the bands music.

I think I'm knowledgable enough to write about bands from genres that i don't like. The fact that I don't like a genre implies that I know the genre good enough to make that assessment.

 

tuxon wrote: I think I'm knowledgable enough to write about bands from genres that i don't like. The fact that I don't like a genre implies that I know the genre good enough to make that assessment.

I don't doubt that you are capable of writing good reviews about genres which you don't like. Many others aren't ... for various reasons, only one of which is that they don't like the genre. I've read a review on Into The Electric Castle on amazon.de where a guy complained about the poor quality of the vocals ... I'd prefer any qualified yet biased review over plain incompetence  

lostrom wrote: I rather have information than opinions in a review! Opinions are for those who wants to shine themselfs when writing, information is for those who puts the reader first!

How can we respond to art without involving opinion?

"This painting is 6' by 8.' It was done with oils, on canvas. There is a preponderance of blue and red. The subject is a vase of mixed flowers. The artist was 42 when he painted it. He lived in Paris."

Rivetting!

Or: "The band has four members. They are named Peter, Paul, Steve and Bob, and they play guitars, bass, drums and keyboards, respectively. The CD has a photo of a red car on the cover. The usual time signature is 4/4."

Gripping, and so... informative!

As soon as I tell you who they "sound like," or attempt to categorize the music, or even tell you if I like it, I am veering into the verboten opinion territory.

Art appeals (mainly) to the emotions, not the intellect, and each of us responds in our unique way, based upon all the factors that make one an individual.

That's MY opinion....

Whoops -- sorry!

Edited by Peter

Of course every (or most every) review will contain someone's opinions, whether you like them or not. It is, after all, what YOU think about the record...if someone has similiar tastes, then you've done your job. However, I agree with the difficulty of reviewing an album of a genre you dislike. It's like being a non-metal fan and buying the new Dream Theater album and saying "I told you so, see! it's loud, and fast, and techincal-ick! I hate it!"

There will always be a certain level of subjectiveness in any review, it happens, but I see no problem as long as the reviewer doesn't lash out at all that likes a certain type of music, or lash out at the band because they don't like the style. Bad reviews are just as important as good ones, but both can be rather distasteful. If you really LOVE Genesis and believe they can do no wrong and give We Can't Dance 5 stars and lash out at those for not going along with Genesis' ideals, that does nobody any good.