Disclaimer
This coming week I will be away on vacation, so there probably won't be any posts from me, let alone any Internet...
After the recent little controversy / scuffle / misunderstanding on my blog, I felt that maybe some things need to be clarified in regards to my writing. This post is directed more to any band who I review, but is also relevant to anyone who reads my blog.
After the recent little controversy / scuffle / misunderstanding on my blog, I felt that maybe some things need to be clarified in regards to my writing. This post is directed more to any band who I review, but is also relevant to anyone who reads my blog.
I write these reviews on my spare time, whether it be during my lunch break, on the train or at home. This is something which has become a bit of a hobby for me, and reviewing music in my opinion, should never be more than a hobby. Nobody in the world can have a final say on what does or does not sound good. Reviewing music is just a matter of opinion, and it is nothing more than that. Sure, somebody can break down every little aspect of a song from the time signature to each crescendo and decrescendo. Even with that knowledge, does that make you more apt to say what does or does not sound good? Of course not. If you were to ask me, I don't even think reviewing music could be a legitimate job, because once again, it is an opinion, and one persons opinion on how the music sounds is no more relevant than the next.
My opinion holds no value, and people shouldn't take it as it does. There is music out there that I am just completely unable to wrap my head around, yet that same music may touch someone in a way nothing else has. For example, I feel that Nirvana's In Utero is one of the best if not the best albums of the 90s. Bob's opinion however, is that In Utero is one of the biggest loads of crap of the 90s (Sorry for picking on you Bob.) Who is right? Neither of us, because it is just an opinion.
If any band is to read a negative review of their music on my blog, I don't believe they should take it personally. Because if you are writing something which feels right to you, then that is all that matters.
posted by Jeff at 3:25 PM
5 Comments:
I have had a few bands criticize my review even when it was an overall positive review. They just focused on the one negative I mentioned. Then again I have also given bands bad reviews and they write back and thank me for being honest. You get all kinds, but the bottom line should be that bands, labels and PR people shouldn't send out promos and less you are prepared for every type of review even bad ones.
Well said. Reviews that only emphasize positive elements are not reviews at all. Stick with it.
Very well said. I've run into a similar problem at my site also. I've tried to be as honest in my reviews as possible and give as much information I can in layman's terms. I'm not a musician, I am a fan. I listen to albums all day long and I know what I like and what I don't like and I hope that I get that across.
2008 has been a good year for new releases save for maybe a few bad ones so I have been mostly positive. When I reviewed the new ManRaze disc (with Phil Collen), I gave it an average review and I took a ton of crap from the street team. I had a ton of email and comments that were really pissed off because I didn't give it a glowing review.
You can't always be positive, you have to call it like you hear it. If you think its good, then say it! If it sucks, it sucks! The successful reviewer is one that is honest, your readers and the artists will respect you more for it.
Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
I think Jeff said it best himself. Nothing more than music, can ever be seen in light of being just personal taste. Other than someone who clearly doesn't know how to play their instrument (like me for example) individual taste is all that there is. All we can do is write about what we hear with our own ears. And even that has been filtered through all that we've heard before.
I've never considered myself a music critic, just someone who writes about what I hear. Obviously, everything I write is my own opinion. Feel free to disagree. You're absolutely entitled to your opinion and to tell me about that. That's called intelligent discourse.
If I love something, I can tell you why, but that doesn't mean you'll love it. If I hate something, you might love it (I happen to agree with Bob, Nirvana is grossly over-rated, and I can tell you why, but that's just my opinion.)
All we can do is listen to music and write about how it moves us, how if makes us feel inside, how it sounds to our ears. Good or bad.
Racer
The Ripple Effect
www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com
As a novelist, musician, incorrigible ass-clown and sometimes bedside shrink, I can tell you that if you let others get to you, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. Sure, criticism sucks, but everything I do -- I do for me first. If it gives people joy, so be it; I totally dig that. If I foster unwelcome feelings and people wish to set flaming bags of shit on my porch, go for it; you won't make it past the mailbox.
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