How should albums be rated?

The binary ranking is interesting. If it weren't abused, it would probably be more informative than the 1 to 5 star ranking (or used together it could be even more effective).

I have never heard Dream Theater (to use an oft mentioned example), but I don't want to belittle their fans or their output. I have been listening to and in one way or another reviewing music for thirty plus years, and performing for twenty, but I wouldn't even begin to think I am qualified to make an opinion about any of their work in the context of, say, someone familiar with that type of music.

I am instantly turned off to it because it is lumped as heavy metal, or prog metal, or whatever. I personally think most of that genre sounds the same, just as many people think that certain other genres sound the same. I'll admit it, but that doesn't mean I won't listen to it with at least an open mind. I may not like it, but then again, I don't have to buy it, and my opinion isn't going to matter to fans of that genre anyway.

I really like this website, but it is irritating to see so many people actually take the time to bash music they really haven't heard enough of to form an informative opinion. Move along, I say, or spend their time reviewing music they like.

Cheers!