I think during the almost a year I spent lurking on this website, I wrote about 10 reviews. I was satisfied with every single of them, but the next week or right after listening to that album, I understood something's wrong. Every time.

Many people I see on these forums I occassionally notice writing from well thought out  to outstanding reviews(among them deserves to be mentioned FishyMonkey, who, I think, is the only collaborator from the other forums, which I've been visitting on a daily basis for 3 years now!), and here are some questions for them:

1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written?

2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first?

3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE?

4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? Answer this one honestly.

I've only written 4 reviews. I wasn't as  good at it as I thought I'd be.

I'm never happy with them Either!

1) Yeh unless I read my reviews after being drunk lol

2) Not really, my comment on an album doesn't change. Therefore, I have no need to correct it.

3) Rarely

4) I usually write my reviews in order to inform other prog fans which album I like, and they might like it too if we share the same ideas. Therefore, I guess I write my reviews to contribute this site and help its visitors discover the good stuff.

I've maybe written 20 or so reviews (in my various guises).

1.I'm never satisfied with my reviews on a sentence by sentence basis,never mind the whole piece.

2.I have corrected 1 review after I completely changed my stance about the band involved (Radiohead)

3.I worry about trying to say something completely different.Having said that, echoing other reviews,even whole sentences, can emphasise the strengths and weaknesses of the album,so that the reader can get a consistent image of what the album is like.

4. I review albums because I want to contribute to the site.I always intend to review a lot more albums but get "writer's block" when it comes down to it.

Dan Yaron wrote: 1) Yeh unless I read my reviews after being drunk lol 2) Not really, my comment on an album doesn't change. Therefore, I have no need to correct it. 3) Rarely 4) I usually write my reviews in order to inform other prog fans which album I like, and they might like it too if we share the same ideas. Therefore, I guess I write my reviews to contribute this site and help its visitors discover the good stuff.

I lived in Israel for 7 years and I never saw a drunk Israeli! (Well not many, and I didn't live in a city)

Most of them cradle a pint of beer for the whole night!

I haven't written any reviews yet but due to my experience with music (as a musician) and a sudden adoration of Genesis- I've written a plan for a review of an album and it should be up in the next 42 hours. I *hope*.

But something tells me it'd be more a way of expressing my feelings than actually giving an analytical criticism....but we'll see what happens.

1. Usually, but I'm sure that'll change the more I write.

2. Yes, but mostly spelling/layout.

3. I tend to avoid reviewing albums with more than a handful of reviews. My added voice won't make much difference - why waste energy on it?

4. Partly to contribute to the site, partly to simply "spread the word". I'm a bit of a prog evangelist at times...

1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written?

Never quite satisfyed.

2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first?

I can't do it - I have no access.

3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE?

I don't review all-time classics, trying to choose less acclaimed albums. It would bring more benefit to PA, I believe.

4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? Answer this one honestly.

To help someone make a choice.

Tony R wrote:   I always intend to review a lot more albums but get "writer's block" when it comes down to it.

Me too. I want to write something wonderful, but it turns out rubbish.

1) As I have written some 1250 reviews , of course I am not really happy with my first reviews as I lacked experience. Sometimes I have also re-discovered an aspect that I had not seen before and feel bad about forgetting it. Nothing to keep me from sound sleeping at night time , though!

2) yes! On many occasions, have I re-written our touched-up reviews. Most lately my Gryphon reviews (I was reviewing a new release of BBC sessions) which  embarrassed me because they were just comments and a bit of reviewing. There are still groups where my reviews would slightly embarass me, but not stop me from sleeping.

3) The reviews I made about well known albums were about the first ones submitted in (most are from Febr 2004 and the site had been opened  for open reviewing since the month before) and when I wrote them I spent some time speaking of things important but leaving open many other issues since I was confident other reviews would come in. This is especially true for my Genesis reviews.
Nowadays , I would probably not review albums reviewed 80 or 120 times before. However a good deal of my reviews are still sitting all alone in obscure groups page.

4) I write reviews to help others having an easier research of new prog groups (I also rate on Gnosis2000) . I am proud to help make this site one of the prime source of information regarding obscure groups. There is still quite a way to go, because so many obscure prog artist are yet to be discovered. If you were to participate in the Gnosis 2000 forum as I do , you'd probably get discouraged because in 2 years time I have not yet seen a thread on Genesis , Yes , ELP. And just two on KC. I feel a bit like a dwarf discussing there. 45 000 albums are for rating/reviewing

Good thread!

1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written?

They always present a given moment in time,I'm glad to have written them even if they are not "perfect" to me. I normally don't try to write after a first listen.

2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first?

I can't, but I wouldn't, (see 1.)

3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE?

In the beginning I tried to write only on rare records, that few people might know, but now I like to give my personal view on records I like.

4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? Answer this one honestly.

Next question, please. (both I suppose...)

Nice thread

Trouserpress wrote: Logos wrote: I can't correct any of my reviews since they wouldn't let me be a collaborator . *sighs* I just posted how to do this half an hour ago on this very thread! Seeing as you can't look up, here it is again: "Copy the review you want to change, click to add a new review, paste it in and make the alterations, make sure you're using the exact same name and e-mail address and it will simply update your review." Trust me, this works. It's what us collaborators have to do as well!

Actually "Us Collaborators"can also go to the collaborator's page click on your name , type in your password and have access to all our reviews at once in one page. From that moment on , all you need to do is click on the review that needs changing, do the change and save it. The password is given by mailto:M@X - M@X

HI, THIS IS CÉSAR INCA.

" 1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written? " No, not always - at tims I feel I've fallen a bit short regarding what I initially had in mind, other times I feel I've expanded my explanations in a failed attempt to make myself clear.

" 2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first? " Yes, and I have done it a few times - a few months later after the original post, I re-discovered some interresting details that I thought should be added in my review. I've even changed a rating once or twice (one less star than the original amount).

" 3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE? " Yes, just because I want to state my oint of view, too.

" 4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? " I don't want to sound too overtly "correct", but for me it is both. The main reason why I became a Collaborator was the pleause of contributing with my points of view for the difusion of the prog rock genre - after all, listening to this type of music is my major hobby. On the other hand, it is also very true that I am personally interested in exposing my own particular thoughts and feelings about an album in the net so it may be useful for any potential reader.

Regards.

I've written some 60 to 65 reviews (rated 72), I think I write decent reviews, but only the reader can really judge that.

1. No usualy I'm not quite satisfied, there's always things I left out, or things that I think of later, and I'm not a musician so it's often difficult to describe how it sounds, ot what happens, I do my best though

2. Not often do I change things, only obvious mistakes, but some mistakes I leave because that's how I perceived the album at the moment of reviewing, and I'm not afraid to make a fool out of myself.

3. Yes, like Tony indicated to say things again makes the argument stronger, and even when there are 1000 reviews of an album, I think my opinion is still valid, and may still be helpfull to some people.

4. I write mainly for myself, to get more in touch with why I like the album, and get to know the music better (reviewing means listening very carefull, understanding what you hear, and trying to translate what you think of it into words), but I have an audience in mind while I write my reviews, and I always hope someone find it usefull, and listen to the album themselves (if I like it very much), when I don't like an album I try to direct the reader to another album of the same band, which I consider to be a better place to start listening to (I ussualy review albums by bands I know more albums of, and like at least some of them, exceptions are always good albums)

Nice thread, curious how others will respond

1) I'm quite happy with my Contagion review. I suffered a bit from waffleing on in my Marillion review.

2) I rarely have time to go back and see how I would have written things differently.Even though I've only written two reviews. That or I'm lazy

3) It's always good to write down a few thoughts on that album. It's usually a little pointless to go into huge detail if lots of people have written reviews for that album, though sometimes it's hard not to write essays about albums you love (see the Misplaced Childhood review)

4) A bit of both I think. I feel a need to contribute at least a small amount to such a fine website . It's also good for me to write reviews, as I hear things that I wouldn't have noticed with a more casual listen.

1. No. When i first started my reviews were crap. (if you want you can find them, under Red Pants Joe). Now, once I joined this thing, the reviews have gotton better, but i think are still not that good.

2. As of now i only corrected one (my review of Discipline). I plan to go back and change all of my early reviews, whenever i get the chance.

3. I review the albums i know. Weather this be one the is reviewed 100 time or twice. As for the content of these reviews, there is some repeating, but you'll get that every now and then, esp. if there are hundreads of reviews.

4. In the begining, i was writing reviews for my own pleasure on albums that i think kick ass, and thus that's basically what the reivew said . But, now i try to expand my reivews (however infequently i write them) to include more than: "I love this album. Absolute masterpiece!!"

Gentle Ronnie wrote: I think during the almost a year I spent lurking on this website, I wrote about 10 reviews. I was satisfied with every single of them, but the next week or right after listening to that album, I understood something's wrong. Every time. Many people I see on these forums I occassionally notice writing from well thought out  to outstanding reviews(among them deserves to be mentioned FishyMonkey, who, I think, is the only collaborator from the other forums, which I've been visitting on a daily basis for 3 years now!), and here are some questions for them: 1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written? 2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first? 3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE? 4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? Answer this one honestly.

1) NO,I THINK MY REVIEWS ARE CRAP (honestly)

2) DON'T HAVE ACCESS BUT WOULDN'T BOTHER ANYWAY

3) NO

4) NEITHER,ITS FUN!

1. no, I have many difficulties to write reviews, i think that i know what write, but is very hard to write my thoughts in the PC. anyway i only wrote 2 reviews

2. no

3. i like to write aboute my favoutite albums

4. the second option

Strangely I'm not happy with my first reviews about Genesis (Done 110 reviews until today), those were copied from another less demanding site I used to write.

The ones about 3 men era are mostly written as a disgusted fan.

Some day I will change them.

Iván

Like Hugues and Ivan, I feel my early reviews are in need of a brush up, which I'm currently doing. I have learned a lot from many of the reviewers on this site over the last year, both in terms of what I think works, and what doesn't (for me!).

We are privileged though in having an astonishing number of people who contribute excellent reviews.

i really would like to write reviews but my grammar sucks...........................

pity me.

Reviews, I write. Something good to say is when I write them with check-speller turned up on full. Me hates bad musics, but good musics I like as well as Dream Theaters and Magma turn me off. Many many nights I've spent and hours reading and spelling. Reviews are good. Like Chicken soup and chocolate bunnies. I eat them all, like Dream Theater and Magma. Peoples like my writings and pay me monies and sex. I passed 5th grade Engleesh with a D+ in math. Grate. Really really grate, like Dream Theater and Magma. I haven't heard them, but they are so grate, my sister is having there babies. Drunks people shouldn't or written reviews, sense they don't make much of, but I like Dream theater, they play real fast, like lightning is a box. Cool, real cool.

How long is my reviews? I writes epics like reviews. With lots and lots of werds and exclaimascions!!!! I like to writes about how musics makes my hair swell and drip.

[quotes] 1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written?

Oh yeah. Good, they all are. Like Dream Theater and Magma. I like to say Magma alot. They make my lips tingle, like Dream Theater guitars, all bbrrrrbbrbrbrbrbrbrbbrbr, like.

[quotes} 2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first? [quotes] I can't find 'em. mailto:M@nX - M@nX and Moani and Sproglunky hates me, they hates me, they do.

[quotes]

3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE? [quotes]

No, just Dream Theaters and Magma. They are REAL prog. DTOSM and CETT sound like ruubbish. Pants man, they are pants. Not like Dreams Theater and Magma. They are good.

[quotes] 4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? [quotes]

Whatz a  site? I looks with mine eyes. Express tastes funny, like burnt coffee. I likes Dream Theaters and Magma. Understand me, don't you? I gotta go, my sister ate some grease and I wanna see her barf like a real rock star.

I hopes this posty was helpful to all previewers.

Gentle Ronnie wrote: 1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written? 2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first? 3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE? 4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? Answer this one honestly.

I've got a few, but am awestruck by Hughes and Gatot's output. Sheesh, don't you guys sleep?

1 and 2) No, not satisfied. Especially the early ones. I will fix them up if I have a reason to look at them.

3) I've tried to avoid reviewing albums that have numerous reviews, unless I have something new to say that's not been covered by someone else.

4) I'm writing reviews for fun, but sometimes I will revisit an album because someone's review gives me a different perspective. Peter's reviews are probably the most colorful and focused reviews that add something to the experience. Gatot's reviews make me feel excited to hear something again. James Lee adds a lot little tidbits that change the way I hear things. Diddy, Dieter and Hughes are always on my list of "must check out" reviewers. Easy has a great command of the language and injects a bit o' humour.  

1. I think some of my early reviews are crap. But with more writing, it becomes easier as you progress (no pun intended).

2. I find myself editing the ratings I give as I listen to the album more, as well as alter the wording, and sometimes I write completely new reviews.

3. I think when one begins writing reviews, you should begin with the stuff you know the most. I started off writing Rush reviews (and then recently I had a flurry of inspiration and finished their catalogue from their Debut to Counterparts).

4. I write them for the site, and because I want to spread the word, and most importantly because I'm always trying to improve my writing.

Gentle Ronnie wrote: 1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written? 2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first? 3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE? 4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? Answer this one honestly.

A very good thread, GG, if I may say so..

1) I have written 4 reviews to date; the reason why I haven't written more is because I don't think my knowledge of music is that great, and feel that others could do a better job than me of reviewing the albums concerned. As a result, I'll never be completely satisfied.

2) I haven't done, but really should do.

3) No, I really don't feel the need to reiterate things.  For me, I don't see the point of reviewing a DT album, as they already have 200 each, and who's going to read or remember no 87?

4) If I do any more, I'd always do it for the benefit of the site.  The reason for my review of Jadis & Everon albums was because very little had been written about them.  They are albums that I had given a great many listens to (in Jadis's case over many years).

Gentle Ronnie wrote: 1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written?

No. If I've had too many trips to my winecellar  my typing and flow of mind get quite rusty.

2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first?

Typing errors...

3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE?

No, I don't want to spend my time on that! I'll try to write about those albums which don't have many reviews, or those from which I can write something new. I also mainly write about the albums I really appreciate (4-5 stars).

4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? Answer this one honestly.

I'm not sure... Perhaps the idea, that someone might find enjoyable music because of my reviev, feels nice. I also try to train writing in english, as I have to do that later on project I'm working with.

gentle ronie asked :

1) Are you always satisfied with every single review you have written?

No ! the first review I wrote was on KC's Red. I love this album but I felt I did'nt express myself very well and did not succeed in explainings my feelings.

2) Do you ever get back to your old review to correct things you didn't notice at first?

No. I write only about albums I know for a long time and that I feel I realy understand. I might be unsatisfied with my work but not with the ideas.

3) Do you feel the need to repeat things that have already been said about an album or review something that has already been reviewed hundreds of times, like DSOTM or CTTE?

I tend to write only about albums I like very much. So Red was quite reviewed and Lizard and ELP's Works (vol I) was reviewed by 30 to 40 at that time. But I try to concentrate on what hearing it makes me feel and not describing the music for two reasons : a. I'm not a musician so I leave this to others who can do it much better than me. b. I think what realy matters is what does it make us feel and not what are the instruments and tempo etc...

4) Do you write reviews to contribute to the site or just because it is a way to express your feelings regarding an album and thus understand it even better? Answer this one honestly.

I answered all your questions honestly ! I want to express my feelings and I hope that my review may cause someone to check an album. This is why my 4th review (out of 4) was on Robert Wyatt "Rock bottom" which is surprisingly very underrated in this site while I absolutely love it.

I would add that writing in English is not natural to me and I feel I could do much better in hebrew. The problem is only few could understand if I did that so I have to struggle.

Oh, BTW Snow Dog - I got drunk few times in my life but not from bear but scotch whiskey.