What are you looking for in an album review?
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=100139
Printed Date: January 15 2025 at 05:50
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Topic: What are you looking for in an album review?
Posted By: SteveG
Subject: What are you looking for in an album review?
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 10:40
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Albums reviews are the raison d'etre for the existence of PA. What specifically are you looking or would like to see in album reviews? For me, I'm looking for some musical example based on other groups or the reviewed group's previous albums and their diversions as well as sound quality of the recorded material. Again, what do you want to see in album review. And if what you want is actually presented at times, please say so. |
Replies:
Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 11:04
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I try to write reviews that give the information I want to see - a little knowledge of music itself and the artist, the aspects of the album that resonates with me and those that don't of course, but most especially why they do or do not. A mere expression of an opinion is boring to read but one that explains itself is interesting. Creativity and humor is also a plus. As an avid reader of books I also like to see good writing. A good review gets beyond the surface and maybe even says a little bit about the writer in the process. ------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty" |
Posted By: tboyd1802
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 11:19
I agree. While broad categorizations are helpful (e.g., I'm not a big neo prog fan so tend to avoid groups listed as neo prog), in addition to a broad overview of the offering, group and contents, I tend to find the most helpful information to be comparisons to other groups, or statements to the effect of "if you like xxxx, or xxxx you might like this." This is the information that will tend to drive me to listening to a new offering or new group.
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SteveG wrote:Posted By: JD
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 13:51
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I like to provide the following information with the hopes that it gives the reader enough of a basis to at least understand in general terms the pros and cons of an album. I absolute loath track by track reviews. -Full Disclosure (My experience with a band or genre) -Production (How the recording sounds) -Song Writing (Strength of Composition) -Originality (Self explanitory) -Performance (Strength of musical ability) -General Impressions (Summary of album as a whole) ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 14:07
Personally, I always look for a review by a bloke living in Cymru named Lazland. Intelligent, knowing, witty, pithy, yet also approachable, warm, and, above all, bloody sexy.  ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 14:19
^Well done, old chap. 
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 14:19
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I am not a big fan of very extended reviews. I like short reviews that 'lay the goods on the table', so to say. The ones that can say in one or two paragraphs what is good and/or not good about an album.
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Posted By: jude111
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 14:21
| I find that the ones I like the most for albums I've never heard are those that break down the album track-by-track, and maybe rate each track specifically. Then I'll head over to Youtube, and check out one or two of the highest rated tracks. If I like the album, I'll purchase. |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 15:14
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I want the author to convince me to listen to the album myself, or on the flip to warn me away from a waste of time. Style, verbosity and eloquence are all optional. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 15:34
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Hear, hear. ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 15:39
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Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 16:35
hahaha!!!!!! But true, indeed he is damn sexy plus his reviews are very articulate and insightful!  |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 16:49
Good point Steve, For the prospect buyer to know how a new band or album/track sounds like, the reference to other known songs and similar sounding bands is key, genre classification alone is not sufficient because the one reading the review cannot hear thus visually has understand how it might sound. Writing a review is a skill, the reviewer first and foremost has to be articulate and use his words to evoke one's senses. For me personally a blend description of songs is not enough to peak my interest in teerms to read further, the creative imagination of the reviewer enabling to take me into a magical musical journey is what grabs and impresses me most :) I hereby too can feel and experience what the reviewer might or is feeling at the time he wrote it while listening to the moozik  Hugs xxx
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Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 16:52
Good one ------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 16:53
| The omitting of the word "eclectic." |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 17:42
the omission of the words proggy and progginess.. I can tell better than anyone what is prog and what is not.. just tell me what is good and not so good about an album. I can make up my own mind as to any prog quotient people seem to attach such importance to. Who cares, a good album is a good album, prog or not. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 17:49
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^I think it depends on the circumstance, micky. I'm not really interested in the 'progginess' of music per se. However, I reviewed an album once where I thought the band was making too much of an effort to sound progressive and the result was phoney sounding to me. That was the only time I think I used the word progressive in a review. ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 17:51
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Micky? You're alive! ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 17:54
very appropriate in my mind. I think much of that comes with the feeling one needs to defend some bands or attack them based on being added to the database here. I was pleased to see that a series of reviews I did following a quite controversial addition of mine were well received, yet I didn't do ONE damn thing to apologize or seek to explain the addition through the reviews. The albums speak for themselves, my job was one of a reviewer. Explain the good and the bad as I saw them, and offer any insights one might have into the music or group itself.------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 17:57
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 17:57
Hey Angelo! alive? barely!!!  after 18 years in the field, I learned there are things worse than death. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 18:00
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^I hate when that happens! ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 18:02
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hahahhah. NO sh*t... at least I was ugly to start with ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 18:10
hahahaha!!!!! hahaha!!! I love her already haha!!!
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 18:21
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^Carly says Hi, kati. (I told her you were Laz's wife so she doesn't get jealous!) Just kidding! I just switched threads! Gotta go, see you soon! |
Posted By: Luna
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 18:46
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When I read a review, I expect to have 1 question answered: Should I buy this album? The reviewer's job is to come up with an answer to this question then back up their claim with evidence from the album. Even if they don't like it, perhaps my taste differs from the reviewer and they can explain the things they dislike and I can find that those things are actually appealing to me. I'd really love a "You should/shouldn't buy this album if..." sentence at the end of each review. ------------- https://aprilmaymarch.bandcamp.com/track/the-badger" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 18:50
hahahaha!!! Thanks, SteveG I guess Lazlo is stuck with me now
more |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: October 30 2014 at 19:15
Though I don't use exactly the same phrasing in my reviews, I do almost always make a point of recommending it to people who may enjoy it. As far as I know, most of my readers have been happy when they have bought albums after reading one of my reviews. |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 01:48
I will ask the wife if I am able to take furlough in Mozambique for a couple of years  ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 01:57
hahahaha!!!! hahaha!!!!!
xxxx hahaha... |
Posted By: BarryGlibb
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 04:39
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In a word.......brevity. |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 04:42
 as in short and brief? |
Posted By: friso
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 05:00
| Your personal history, bluh! |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 05:01
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Stuff I'm not expecting. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 05:18
Friso hello Personal history? Surely you don't mean the background of a musician as in if they were trained and obtained their skills due to the effort they put in many hours at some prestigious music institute or i.e. invested a considerate number of hours being taught the piano/ private lessons etc since the age of 10?  hugs
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Posted By: Argonaught
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 05:44
Shorts and briefs
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Posted By: BarryGlibb
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 05:53
Zachary |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 05:55
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haughty reviews, kill it for me, they are pompous and very silly really. Some reviewers forget the purpose of a review thus instead want to impress their fellow reviewers with their sententious writing. Anyway luckily there are so many more brilliant and funny reviewers who actually do care about the prospect listener and or buyer. hugs
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Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 05:59
That's ok by me as long as it's not about speedos
coz they look very funny  hugs |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 06:12
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Some negative reviews I love, and I happen to think we need that side of the story just as much as we need the positive. It's all down to how the reviewer conveys this. Explained another way: I have some fave writers on PA who's tastes reflect the exact opposite of what I go for. When one of these awards an album 1 or 2 stars, I'm almost instantly sold. I know the musicians responsible for all this music work their arses off and for little if any pay, but if we only had positive reviews on PA we'd rule out any room for tastes, other people's opinion, the "truth" about an actual release, etc etc the list goes on. If the following review of Tangerine Dream's Zeit had been posted yesterday - only it was written about a new upcoming band, we'd been flooded with reports about the disrespectful, harmful intentions of Greenback. Just so happens that I bought this album on his "recommendation" and find his review absolutely hilarious + he does actually describe the sound of the album perfectly well:  What a shame! The music consists in 2-3 humming refrigerators at the same time, plus a portative fan that turns back and forth to make the anyway inexistent rhythm, and finally a coming cluster of threatening killer bees!There are tons of albums better than this one to describe the desolation once you go alone on Mars! The album is even not minimalist! Rating: 0.5 star ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Argonaught
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 06:17
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Now, on a more serious note: a review is, first and foremost, a piece of creative writing. I don't think one should expect them to re written in a certain prescribed format or tone. Some reviews will be more ________ (fill the blank: verbose, emotional, analytical, lopsided, cerebral, personal, to-the-point etc) than others .. takes all kinds, I suppose. Irrationally angry and purposefully vindictive reviews are a form of abuse and contribute nothing to the discussion: "I can't believe how terrible this CD is! I am sending it back to Amazon! This band sucks! This album is so much worse than ______. I will never buy a CD from this band again! (is it 100 characters yet?)"
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Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 06:29
hahaha!!! So true Guldbamsen, I feel the same hahaha sometimes I don't know if I should cry or laugh because although I might disagree with one's taste, that review make me laugh and brought another perspective view to light even making me agree in terms of understanding their point of view hahaha!!!
big hug to you |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 06:48
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Right on Sonia Anyway I know what you mean with regards to some negative reviews. For me it's mostly the ones that frequently use the word 'boring' that does it for me. Yikes  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 07:19
Wahaha, you haven't change a bit on the inside though. ;-) ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 07:22
Oh that kills it for me too, Guldbamsen, I still cannot comprehend why anyone would use the word bored, why would one put themselves in a position to feel bored ! When boredom is mentioned in a review I discredit that immediately and perceive this as lacking sufficient articulate skills to write a review and/ or describe music.Also if one has to critique a band at least they should have the decency to describe why, don't you think? It's very rude and inconsiderate to say you are bored really! Bah. Constructive and or honest criticism is good, however bored is none of those, it's not even silly, it's banal. huge hug to you, Guldbamsen
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Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 13:28
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I think I respond most to raw emotion. When the reviewer's enthusiasm or detestation are palpable--are transferred to me--that is what makes a review remarkable or memorable or impressionable to me. There are some amazing writers contributing their reviews and opinions here on PA. I appreciate you, as well, but more on an intellectual or artistic level. It's kind of like comparing a Gilmour solo to one from Sir Robert of Fripp. Frickin' raw emotion versus intellectual erudition. Which one would you take? ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 13:35
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I think that everybody has ears, so I try to concentrate on the "meanings" of the things, when things have a meaning. Of course those are the most boring of my reviews, but I like them from a writer perspective. As reader short and straight to the core of the thing is better....probably this is the reason why I have written no more than 3 reviews in the last year. ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 13:48
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Free download codes or gtfo. Or, more seriously, I look for people to describe the album as a human being, not as a musician or someone who knows anything about music. What images did you see? What emotions did you feel? What concepts did the album force you to think about in a different way? If they can make clear that this album is an experience not to be missed, and not just a collection of desirable traits, I feel more compelled to buy the album. ------------- https://dreamwindow.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - My Music 
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Posted By: TCat
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 14:10
| I'm always attempting to write reviews as thoughts appear into my head and also as I am listening to the album. Unfortunately, some of my reviews end up being a lot more "all over the place" and not as organized as others. Once in a while, I write one that I am proud of. There is a lot of good information in this forum that will help me in the future, so forgive me for the poorly written reviews and celebrate the well written ones with me (wow....that's corny). I try to avoid track by track reviews (Ok I've done a few, like the last one I did Boulez Conducts Zappa, but not many). I like to try to keep them short and try not to repeat information that has already been given. The drawback to that is, there are a lot of readers that are reading your review as the first review because they may be reading it off the Home page, so some repetitiveness can be useful if it's important to the overall layout or atmosphere of the album. These are the kinds of things I like or don't like in reviews, so I try to format my own the same way. Giving new information is always great, and well documented reasons as to why you like it or you don't like it also helps. For example, you might give a reason you hate an album, but that might be a reason why I would like it. That has actually worked many times for me. |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 14:58
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I hate to break up the love affair between Laz and Kati ... it was fun while it lasted! I have to tell you, that after 500+ film reviews, over 100+ album reviews and over 50+ concert reviews, that I am not sure that I have EVER sat down and thought to myself ... what do I want to say? Just like my poetry and all other writing, it is just a stream of consciousness and a feeling, that I try to express as well as I possibly can, given the language limitations to an event that took place inside my mind that is hard to descrive to someone else. I DO realize that this is unusual and different and does not follow a "pattern", because the only thing that brings me to a film, or to music, or to a book, are how you expressed your own reaction to the whole piece, not just one song. So, if someone sticks to a "definition" of the music instead of the personal reaction, I'm done and gone, and I even doubt I will listen to the piece of music ... why would I? ... when that person already made it clear there was no feeling to be drawn from that piece? Reviews, are a tough thing, and sometimes it is all down to the stupidest things ... you don't like someone, you will never read anything. Been there. Done that. Got the whip marks on my back and butt. But there is one secret here ... you will lose the ability to learn and feel and take a look at something different in any art ... and that means ... you are not progressive anymore! End of story! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 15:42
Here! Here! and Well said! ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BarryGlibb
Date Posted: October 31 2014 at 19:10
What's wrong with Speedos Kati?! They are an Australian iconic brand. Even our Prime Minister Tony Abbott wears them with (ahem) pride. See here....  |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 05:20
Sorry, I've been traveling all week, possibly this has been explained more eloquently by someone else since this post. Anyway, a convincing review is like any other discussion, debate, written work or other communication intended to make a point - it needs to be factual, informative and credible. The most annoying reviews are the fanboys who do nothing but talk about the album in vague platitudes ("Chocolate Syphillus's new live album will make your hair stand up man! I like had an out-of-body religious experience and I wasn't even tweaking. Buy this thing or yer a douche." does not do much to influence anyone. For classics that already have 1,000+ reviews I don't know that there's much a reviewer can add since those records are universally known already, but if one has to write a review anyway to complete a discography or whatever, at least try to find some obscure bit of trivia to make it a little fresh. And writing about personal experiences can be helpful if those experiences can be explained in the context of the band, the music, or even the genre. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 07:08
raw emotion any day of the week and twice on Saturday.  This is music. It is all about emotion. That is why I tell people, my friends interested in some of wacky sh*t I listen to, I love it for when well it can reach out and grab you my balls and by the heart and just hold you, for groups and albums. for years and even lifetimes. Conversely though, when there is nothing better than prog rock done well, there is no music genre worse than prog rock at its worst. It is a big reason the genre to me (one of several I love) is so interesting to me. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 09:51
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Posted By: thwok
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 10:15
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My favorite reviewers on Prog Archives are Conor Fynes, UMUR, and Warthur. I specifically seek out their reviews and opinions when I'm on our favorite website. I think part of the reason is that I seem to like a lot of the same music as these reviewers. I also have genres I like and don't, so there's a really good chance I won't listen to a band labeled electronic progressive, for instance. I was a Communications major in college, so it's also not surprising that I'm a little particular about grammar and spelling. If a review is really hard to read because of shortcomings in the aforementioned areas, I won't read it. I think that a review that compares the music at hand to other bands helps readers determine what the music being reviewed sounds like. I have a pretty short attention span (gotta love Asperger's SyndromeJ, so reviews that go into detail about every song don't really work for me. I can determine for myself which songs on a CD are my favorites. ------------- I am the funkiest man on the planet! |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 14:33
And mostly modest. In fact, Laz has won the Modest Mussorgsky prize for the best reviewer with a modesty streak, three years consecutively. ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 15:44
Am I, indeed, Petrovitch in disguise? Seriously, if you really like an album, then I instinctively know I will, and I have purchased some gems on the back of your recommendations ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 16:46
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And I from you , my Welsh friend! Many, many albums were spawned by your words. ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 17:48
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Maybe I'm just an easy sell but I just want to know about the music. What does it sound like? What instruments are being used to make? What are the instruments doing? Is it composed/improvised/combination? If there is occasional sax/zither/vocals/crumhorns how often are they used? Etc. I don't really care about how it makes people feel because I'm not those people. That said, there are certainly reviewers whose tastes coincide pretty well with my own, so I can use that too. But in a general sense (ie I don't know the reviewer), I just want to know what the music sounds like. I do agree with people that the 'if you like ____ you'll probably like ____ too' is helpful, especially if the review is verbose (which I do prefer to ones of a paragraph or seven sentences in length).
------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: November 01 2014 at 18:20
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Having reviewed (badly) a few albums myself, I generally look for comparisons with other bands, what instruments are used, the quality of the musicianship, and mood of the songs. Eloquent descriptions and imaginative details such as 'the tension mounts as if one were walking through a hoard of poppies in the early hours of the morning only to be jumped by 3 rabid aliens with giant mosquitoes as weapons....' (well, this effort is probably lame) - are also very powerful in interpreting the music without hearing it. I enjoy most reviews I read, and get ample info from them so I've seldomly bombed out with any of my purchases. |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: November 03 2014 at 08:55
| I also don't want to see the word "pretentious." |
Posted By: KingCrInuYasha
Date Posted: November 03 2014 at 11:15
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A good description of the music and, if the writer is capable, some good jokes. ------------- He looks at this world and wants it all... so he strikes, like Thunderball! |
Posted By: ebil0505
Date Posted: November 03 2014 at 12:07
This ------------- "I like to think oysters transcend national barriers." - Roger Waters |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: November 03 2014 at 12:36
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Not another review of Fragile, DSOTM, Hero And Herione and other albums with 30+ reviews. Tell me something I don't know. |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: November 03 2014 at 12:50
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A couple of years ago, I was asked to review a couple of things. The CD's were mailed to me and all that and I listened to them. I only had one little reaction to the whole of 2 CD's ... none! Where is my reaction. The music was a carbon copy of the New York wanna be Frank Zappa club, and the material was so talent-less ... it was also boring, as to not merit even a 2nd listen. I kinda call it ... just change the placement of the notes because it is all these folks know how to play! Essentially, I only review the things that shake me good. And I do not want to get to the point where I have to have some format on my reviews, which I know are the first sign that you are bored ... because otherwise, your feelings flow, and they flow loud and large! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: November 03 2014 at 14:18
Exactly. ------------- Crushed like a rose in the riverflow. |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: November 03 2014 at 15:11
I think, to be fair, virtually every new reviewer on the site wants to review his/her favourite albums or albums by their favourite band, and, inevitably, that is going to be, mostly, your Fragile, Dark Side, et al. The trick is to look at those reviewers, and see how they develop into writers who can be trusted to contribute to the site and our enjoyment of music. In this, I think admins past and present have done a very good job in who they give four or five stars to. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: November 04 2014 at 19:50
| I have discussed this once before and Tszirmay comes to mind always :) hugs to you all xxxx http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=91322&PN=1" rel="nofollow - TID=91322&PN=1 http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=91322&PN=1" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=91322&PN=1 |
Posted By: ShW1
Date Posted: November 05 2014 at 00:08
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my expectation from a review: to get an idea of what the album is, in 1-2 paragraphs. to get the reviewer opinion on some parameters such as: compositions, musicianship, vocals (if there is), sound and production. a bit information about instrumentation, if there are other than the casual ones. the review should be as clear as possible. seperated into paragraphs, each paragraph should be discussed on one aspect only. (In case of more assosiative writing, it is OK, but still, some clearity is required) the reviewer opinions should be given, innocently. That means, the reviwer does not "go down" on a record without listening carfully, in propriate conditions, to the materials, at least the times required for realisation that he/she does not like that album. On the other hand, an exessive praises without any reasoning, could be understood as a little bit of a lack of credibility. (what if the reviewer is a friend of the band, etc...) innocently opinions should be based on BUYING the record, at a reliable format. and listening to it in a propriate conditions. a CD/Vynil is welcomed. A high quality file that is listened in a good equipment is also exeptable. But review, suspected as based on illegal download, or listening via Youtube, is not a good review, IMO. for integrity, at least one brief 'analyisis' of one track should be apear. so the reader get the feeling that the reviewer knows what he/she talking about. Thats good for the integrity of the review. |
Posted By: Toaster Mantis
Date Posted: November 05 2014 at 03:33
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I'm kind of an odd man out because I don't find "buying guide" reviews useful unless it's for records that are extremely obscure and hard to acquire. As a matter of fact, I actually mostly prefer reading reviews of records I've already listened to for a while in order to find new things to appreciate. This means things like some degree of theoretical analysis of the songwriting's "nuts and bolts" like the instrumental composition and the lyrical content, perhaps how it relates to the record or band's underlying concept of sorts. Analysis of cultural historical context I can give or take, it's something I appreciate when pulled off well and might even be necessary in the case of music with a political or religious message. It's just that in the hands of lesser reviewers it might end up taking up more space than the music itself in a way that's not always apparent as relevant. Even when looking for reviews of artists and records I haven't heard before, though, I prefer the kind of reviews described above because I like records to have some kind of lasting appeal with more depth than is readily apparent. ------------- "The past is not some static being, it is not a previous present, nor a present that has passed away; the past has its own dynamic being which is constantly renewed and renewing." - Claire Colebrook |
Posted By: Anoraknok
Date Posted: November 05 2014 at 04:55
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Honesty. Something you will never get from any mainstream source, because they all are paid to write that the incoming album of another pushed musician is the next revelation and absolutely unique. Even if it clones one of the holy cows from 70ies literally note per note. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: November 06 2014 at 08:48
^this.... It's always nice to read a witty review but if in the end it doesn't talk about what the music sounds like then it's not done it's job imho. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: progaholic
Date Posted: December 09 2014 at 06:41
| Honesty! Whether or not you are related to the performer, are his best mate etc. If the album's sh*te, say it's sh*te! |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: December 09 2014 at 11:34
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Hi,
According to the Film Critics Review Board, then, this person is NOT a reviewer, because it is expected that you have a fair and subjective view of the film, which will help your review be read and appreciated elsewhere. It was based on my honest feeling and opinion, that several of my reviews have shown up in a couple of film festivals ... It had nothing to do with it being a good or bad review or any sort of concept. As it turns out, I was also one of the few people that noticed a small film, which most reviewers ignored. I always told folks in Portland, to go see the small stuff and off kilter stuff, because the English and American films will be on DVD ... the others are GONE! It's the same with music. I love the big 5 in PA, but the problem is that the fans at PA have not given the other bands in the Top 100 a good enough listen to define an appreciation. A GOOD review, is not about you and me ... it's about how you felt when you saw it, and it helped bring people to it. I'm proud of the one that was in Singapore, and how they reacted to it. It was one of the times in my life I felt good about what I was doing ... that sticking to the things that you love is important. And that film was lovely, though no adults were human enough to go see it! It's the same thing here, Laz! Too many of us are into this and that, and do not know the rest, specially the history, well enough to make a good call ... heck, even Dean and Guy correct me now and then! I don't mind ... it's only helping get it better and right! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: December 09 2014 at 19:27
Heavy sarcasm  ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: Kati
Date Posted: December 09 2014 at 19:53
Sonia
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Posted By: Davesax1965
Date Posted: December 12 2014 at 07:40
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Four stars or higher. The rest is purely speculative. ;-) ------------- |
Posted By: Davesax1965
Date Posted: December 12 2014 at 07:44
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More seriously, I stopped taking any notice of reviews years ago. I'm not interested in other peoples' opinions of my music. (Although I've had some very good ones here and thank you to the kind people who did them. Glad you liked them ! ;-) ) The good, intelligently written reviews are great. The bad ones are usually laughable - to a point. "Everyone's a critic". The rise of the internet means that everyone, should the urge take them, either write music or write a review of music. And the fact of the matter is that 90% of the wannabe musicians and wannabe reviewers should have found something else to do with their time. I generally trust reviews on this site given that there's an educated listening public here. But. I posted a link to a UK hippy site. Some stoned idiot and came back, complaining about his free download as "the Trek theme's been done to death, man" It was the original Doctor Who theme, actually. Variations thereon. But whadda I know, eh ? :-) ------------- |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: December 12 2014 at 11:29
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I thought about this when I wrote my review for King Crimson's first album, which still is the only one of theirs I have ever done ... it was the only album where my words made sense!!! However, it is lost in the bunch of "reviews", and I doubt that anyone else has read it to see the difference and have an appreciation for something else, other than some kinda of something that is basically meaningless, and not all musicians are scatterbrained, or create music strictly by the notes or the riff! They are people, too, and think differently, and Robert Fripp uses a lot of exercises in almost a complete Gurdgieff context ... which is something that most run of the mill rock musicians would have no idea it means, let alone ever try them! There is a side of this stuff that is not "top ten". Some of it may still sound familiar so we can index them the way we can "recognize" so we do not have to think that we're not listening to the folks in Mars, Venus or in Grok-land! We would also try to break those down to our terms ... and lose the appreciation for their own music! This is the hard part of the reviews! There are not many of them, that are so different, in their words and appreciation, that many folks can appreciate the work they do ... and a board like this works on burying them even more! That's what happens when all of it is just a database! Good for the ego, but bad for the art! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Siloportem
Date Posted: December 12 2014 at 13:23
I think those can help establish a baseline for a reviewer. One can then establish how much his/her taste equals yours and put a proper weight to his/her opininions. ------------- Thanks !! Your topics always so good and informative. I like you talk. |
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: December 12 2014 at 14:13
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The reviewer should convey clearly WHY does he absolutely love the album, or why does he find it very good, or quite alright, or weak, or completely forgettable. Comments like "this is sonic heaven, the best album I have heard in years" without any further explanation why, are meaningless. Also, although each album is supposed to be unique in its own way, similarities or references to other better known bands or albums can be welcome in practice to give you a clearer orientation. I have bought quite a few albums based on super-positive reviews which after listening to them for several tries did not impress me at all. I should try to find now some of those reviews to see why did they mislead me. Anyway there's always a limit to the trust you can put on other reviewers' opinions, at the end of the day we are all different.
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: December 12 2014 at 14:16
Never too late to post a link, Pedro http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=298086" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=298086
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Posted By: Davesax1965
Date Posted: December 15 2014 at 07:48
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I've got to agree with "qualify why" - I've had reviews where someone comes on, just posts a few stars, bu88ers off. Well, that was useful. Not only does it not help the artist, it doesn't allow anyone else to form an opinion, either. At the end of the day, reviews are all about personal taste, or lack thereof. It's a subjective... subject. ;-) ------------- |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: December 15 2014 at 13:05
I'm a bit too blind these days to be able to find these things in this place ... it is a really hard effort tha tonly adds to the headaches ... I will save this link, and thanks a bunch. ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |