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What good are reviews?


Basilisk

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i think everyone should add polls to the reviews..

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Reviews for Tikal - Carnaval

 

I've heard it and i give it

 

1 [ 6 ] ** [46.15%]

2 [ 4 ] ** [30.77%]

3 [ 2 ] ** [15.38%]

4 [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

5 [ 1 ] ** [7.69%]

 

that worked great mate ;)

 

i used to do it and nobody gave a damn so i gave up on that option... i'd much rather see people express their opinions based on actual reason than senless voting, but thats just me.

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DP, I think your problem is that you just like too much music ;) and is that really a problem for you? I cannot get anything out of your reviews any more - though I appreciate the style in which they are written and the thematic quotes you use to introduce things... fact remains - I never have any better idea about a release after going through one of your write-ups :) this is part of what I was originally addressing... maybe you're giving the reviewing medium an aesthetic of its own that can be appreciated, deviating from the original purpose and intent of reviews in a way... and I certainly don't mean to cause any offense by what I say here.

 

I wonder - am I the pickiest bastard around? I'm actually surprised I don't get any harassment from the sunshine and rainbows squad for routinely dissing up new releases that come out.

:huh:

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That needed to be said Rah - thank you! I agree with you...  :)

 

I've been reading this thread since it got posted, and wondered if I should reply or not... I'm pretty sure I'm one of the dreaded reviewers you all refer to, so I think I better reply here...

 

Yes I get free CDs - and yes, I get a lot of free CDs - and that's awesome!

 

But I do put a lot of work into my reviews - without getting paid. It can take anywhere from 1 to 5-6 hours to write a decent review - if I spent that time working, I could by loads more CDs than just one... So why do I do it?

 

There are several reasons:

 

#1. I like it... I somehow relax while I sit in front of my computer with my headphones on, trying to write something useful about a CD... It's my creative outlet so to speak. I can't paint, I'm way too restless to produce music and I don't DJ or throw parties - so this is MY contribution to the scene I love so much!

 

#2. Reviews are my own personal database of "good tracks"... I have so many CDs that I find it hard to keep track of all of them - with these reviews I can always to back and find those stand-out tracks.

 

#3. Collective purposes. I'm a raging collector and my collection keeps growing - fuelled equally by promos + stuff I buy from various internet-shops + second hand... And I spend LOADS of money each month on music... I'm obsessed with owning original CDs - and that's why I ask for full retail version of the stuff I review... CD-Rs have no value for me...

 

#4: Vanity I guess... As I mentioned earlier I can't do much else good to contribute to the scene. But I've got this review thing going pretty well, and usually people like what I write... I get quite a lot of positive feedback and I 'feed' on that... It inspires me to keep doing what I'm doing... And when a label contacts me and asks me if they can send me their new CDs, I usually say yes - STRESSING that I take great pride in writing 100% honest reviews...

 

I cannot stress enough how much pride I take in writing honest, non-biased reviews... Although certain people have accused me of being a label-whore... But just as Rah I usually only write about stuff that I like...  I pretty much have all the "sucky" labels filtered out... I hardly ever review Israeli full-on and if I do, I say it straight if I don't like it...

 

So there you have it... I receive enough positive feedback to keep doing what I'm doing... I like it, and I hope that at least some of you have found my reviews useful...  :)

 

DeathPosture

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You didn't need to explain yourself man, even though it is mentioned that very elaborate review is no good, I understand your way of reviewing so much, there are heaps of musical freaks that like to know the structure of the music and how it was developed, I am also for discovering for myself without reading about it, but that is just my way of listening.

That is why I write shorter reviews cause someone can get the general idea and feel of album and compilation and I most pick up some old stuff that are mostly good so it doesn't even need extra explanation or reviewing, just mentioning thatit is GOOD, real freaks will always SEE wheter review is compatible with their understanding of someone else's perception. ;)

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DP, I think your problem is that you just like too much music ;) and is that really a problem for you? I cannot get anything out of your reviews any more - though I appreciate the style in which they are written and the thematic quotes you use to introduce things... fact remains - I never have any better idea about a release after going through one of your write-ups :) this is part of what I was originally addressing... maybe you're giving the reviewing medium an aesthetic of its own that can be appreciated, deviating from the original purpose and intent of reviews in a way... and I certainly don't mean to cause any offense by what I say here.

 

I wonder - am I the pickiest bastard around? I'm actually surprised I don't get any harassment from the sunshine and rainbows squad for routinely dissing up new releases that come out.

:huh:

303752[/snapback]

I don't think it's problem liking too much music, I am the same. I can get into variety of stuff, from gentlest, harmonic trance over melodic, cyber, spacey, psychedelic, to dark, hard core evil stuff, but I actually can't get into EVIL MUSIC which is mostly made these days, I like to hear music ABOUT EVIL, making evil fables and trips rather than evil music itself with heaps of nasty noises and some effects, without actual music.

If DP is getting CD 's for free I am with the idea of listening to various stuff, if he has time of course and contribute to the scene where are those freaks I mentioned to whom such review means a lot.

;)

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what good are reviews?

 

reviews are very good.

i appreciate every reviewer on this website that takes time and goes through every track of an album/compilation/etc. that's not easy, it takes time.

hell knows it takes me a few good listens before i can put a few sentences together and make a review.

but that's just cause i only have like 3-4 years of psy in my background.

i am getting better though!

 

i think that if you read reviews that people give on psynews, you can go further and see beyond the review. you can observe the styles that the reviewer likes best, and then you will understand that the releases that made their ears happy got priority in the reviews section.

 

i am generally looking for the melodies in the tracks, and for what i call "smart music" .. so if you see me reviewing, that's my type.

i am trying to diversify reviews though. but i am nevertheless a newbie.

 

now .. what do i do with reviews ...

 

i don't have the posibility to download or buy too much music.

- i go for what Insejn recommends - his collection is big, he has good taste in music, i love him. i don't even need a full review from Insejn. he knows.

- i go read DeathPosture's reviews. first i read the conclusion. then i download the tracks. i listen a few times, then i go to DP's review again, go through every track, but that's just to see how realistic his review is, and to see technical terms he uses, and general terms he uses to describe sounds. usually his review is close to my opinnion about the album. that's why he's my nr.1 reviewer. even if in the end he says "i love this album" and i say "fuck this album", the review has no mistakes, it's just a matter of perception. Mart's da man.

 

if i like what i listen, i make a short review, just for promotional reasons. like, go get it, it's good :)

 

it's harder when you give a review about a release you don't like as much as the others, because you'll have to think twice before posting, to make sure they don't see you as an idiot and say "you know nothing, this release is good".

 

for example Lemmiwinks considers a certain compilation as one of the best releases ever. i just think that release is "ok". i will not tell Lemmiwinks that he is overreacting, but i will surely ignore his review. and if it happends again in the future, then we have different taste and i will not follow his reviews anymore.

 

lately i am trying to follow RAH and pr0fane reviews too. to see what their tastes are about. i am watching you guys!

 

but generally i am a busy girl so i don't have much time for reading/writing reviews...

i intend to give reviews for like 5-6 albums/compilations .. but i have to find the time .. and the words.

being a newbie sux :D

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men .. so sensitive ...

 

i am watching you too seraph. sorry for excluding you up in my post. i just forgot to put your name next to RAH and pr0fane. my boss must have been around and i had to drop psynews and work.

:)

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I was half joking of course, I am not vain, it's just because YOU said it... :P

 

BTW, most of my reviews include pretty melodic stuff, not typical melodic psy trance but rather 'smart' old school trance as you expect...maybe you don't care cause it's old, but believe me, there are MOST of the older stuff that are far better than 80 % of the new stuff for sure... ;)

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I'm pretty sick of the old sound to be honest. I have no problem founding good releases today. The problem is that I have to go through a shit load of releases to find them.

303949[/snapback]

it's easy when you find your labels.. just ignore the rest

but then when many people mention the same album.. like jaia or antix or haldolium it's definitely worth a check..

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I don't have any problem finding lots of new stuff I like, but somehow, I always go back to the old releases, if I have to choose something to listen at home...

I like to listen to new stuff outside, in the club, nature...

The more I know about music the more I discover there is so much stuff to dig, especially from the past... ;)

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it's easy when you find your labels.. just ignore the rest

303951[/snapback]

No. I'd rather ignore the tracklists. Sometimes "bad" labels puts out a few good tracks and I don't wan to miss them :)
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it depends

it's very easy to find the melody in old school goa, in morning trance, in summer goa trance.

but i am not talking about melodic psy, generally. i can find the melody in dark, twisted psy also, or in progressive trance that others find cold and boring.

if there is melody there, i'll find it.

last time i did was during Krumelur's live act at the festival. it was a very nice surprise. as i had been reading stuff about his style and i wasn't expecting that my brain would read the melody in it.

 

 

I have no problem founding good releases today. The problem is that I have to go through a shit load of releases to find them.

that's why we need artists to start making more smart music. stop following one path, or 2 paths combined, and just go for the brain, soul, intuition and talent path.
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that's why we need artists to start making more smart music. stop following one path, or 2 paths combined, and just go for the brain, soul, intuition and talent path.

303958[/snapback]

Or labels to stop releasing everything they got their hands on.
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DP, I think your problem is that you just like too much music ;) and is that really a problem for you? I cannot get anything out of your reviews any more - though I appreciate the style in which they are written and the thematic quotes you use to introduce things... fact remains - I never have any better idea about a release after going through one of your write-ups :) this is part of what I was originally addressing... maybe you're giving the reviewing medium an aesthetic of its own that can be appreciated, deviating from the original purpose and intent of reviews in a way... and I certainly don't mean to cause any offense by what I say here.

 

I wonder - am I the pickiest bastard around? I'm actually surprised I don't get any harassment from the sunshine and rainbows squad for routinely dissing up new releases that come out.

:huh:

303752[/snapback]

Well Scott, I'm really sorry to hear that my reviews no longer does anything for you... You picky bastard! :P

 

Hehe... Nah man, it's all good... I think you're addressing a vital issue here - I *do* have very broad tastes when it comes to music. I'll not go as far as calling it a problem - 'cause how can it be a problem, that I have a very broad taste? It's a blessing, and I like the fact that I can get jiggy with both old school goa, smooth progressive trance, deep dark hypertrance and soothing ambient - and everything in between... The only style I don't really like it neo full-on, and that's why I've conveniently "filtered" those labels - or simply tell it straight in those reviews...

 

That being said, I'm still happy that you tend to like my format - you know, you're still a major inspiration for me review-wise... I still rate you as one of my all-time reviewers outhere and your taste seldom dissapoints me...

 

About me putting a new aesthetic on reviews - deviating from the original intent... Well, I dunno about that... I'm not a professional.. I'm just your average guy who likes to write about music, and with my reviews I hope I provide some kind of service towards people going through the vast amount of new releases... But please remember that I do this for free... :)

 

 

You didn't need to explain yourself man, even though it is mentioned that very elaborate review is no good, I understand your way of reviewing so much, there are heaps of musical freaks that like to know the structure of the music and how it was developed, I am also for discovering for myself without reading about it, but that is just my way of listening.

That is why I write shorter reviews cause someone can get the general idea and feel of album and compilation and I most pick up some old stuff that are mostly good so it doesn't even need extra explanation or reviewing, just mentioning thatit is GOOD, real freaks will always SEE wheter review is compatible with their understanding of someone else's perception. ;)

303902[/snapback]

Yeah - different people different strokes... My review format has been develouped and finetuned over the years... And now I have a format that most people to like, and I'm pretty happy with it myself too... ;o)

 

Oh, and thumbs up for your reviews too Seraph... Good stuff! Btw - totally off-topic: You must have a MASSIVE collection... Why don't you have it listed on Discogs? I'd love to see it... Do you have some kind of list? Pix?

 

 

what good are reviews?

 

reviews are very good.

i appreciate every reviewer on this website that takes time and goes through every track of an album/compilation/etc. that's not easy, it takes time.

hell knows it takes me a few good listens before i can put a few sentences together and make a review.

but that's just cause i only have like 3-4 years of psy in my background.

i am getting better though!

 

i think that if you read reviews that people give on psynews, you can go further and see beyond the review. you can observe the styles that the reviewer likes best, and then you will understand that the releases that made their ears happy got priority in the reviews section.

 

i am generally looking for the melodies in the tracks, and for what i call "smart music" ..  so if you see me reviewing, that's my type.

i am trying to diversify reviews though. but i am nevertheless a newbie.

 

now .. what do i do with reviews ...

 

i don't have the posibility to download or buy too much music.

- i go for what Insejn recommends - his collection is big, he has good taste in music, i love him. i don't even need a full review from Insejn. he knows.

- i go read DeathPosture's reviews. first i read the conclusion. then i download the tracks. i listen a few times, then i go to DP's review again, go through every track, but that's just to see how realistic his review is, and to see technical terms he uses, and general terms he uses to describe sounds. usually his review is close to my opinnion about the album. that's why he's my nr.1 reviewer. even if in the end he says "i love this album" and i say "fuck this album", the review has no mistakes, it's just a matter of perception. Mart's da man.

 

if i like what i listen, i make a short review, just for promotional reasons. like, go get it, it's good :)

 

it's harder when you give a review about a release you don't like as much as the others, because you'll have to think twice before posting, to make sure they don't see you as an idiot and say "you know nothing, this release is good".

 

for example Lemmiwinks considers a certain compilation as one of the best releases ever. i just think that release is "ok". i will not tell Lemmiwinks that he is overreacting, but i will surely ignore his review. and if it happends again in the future, then we have different taste and i will not follow his reviews anymore.

 

lately i am trying to follow RAH and pr0fane reviews too. to see what their tastes are about. i am watching you guys!

 

but generally i am a busy girl so i don't have much time for reading/writing reviews...

i intend to give reviews for like 5-6 albums/compilations .. but i have to find the time .. and the words.

being a newbie sux :D

303934[/snapback]

Ahh Moni - you're the sweetest thing around... Thank you very much for your kind words... I cannot begin to express how happy that post made me feel... Positive feedback like yours makes it all worthwhile - and that's exactly why I spend hours and hours infront of the computer writing... To please people... Thx! :)

 

/DP

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Oh, and thumbs up for your reviews too Seraph... Good stuff! Btw - totally off-topic: You must have a MASSIVE collection... Why don't you have it listed on Discogs? I'd love to see it...  Do you have some kind of list? Pix?

 

/DP

303973[/snapback]

Yes, I have massive collection, collecting through years, but these days I get some old stuff from my good friend that is DJ, so he is getting a lot of stuff and we share, unfortunately I don't buy ALL of my stuff, something very rare I download, but only rarities or hidden singles, making compilations of singles, or conceptual compilations for myself.

Other thing, I don't spend so much time on internet in general, ever since I came here, I was hooked and started to be more active and present on internet...and since I don't spend so much time in front of computer I don't do stuff like being on other forums, making my lists, sharing, exchanging...I like to come on internet, but I can hardly wait to get offline cause I started to dislike computers because of taking so much time ( unless you are using it for some creative purpose ) which is what I plan, I don't want to spend more time than I actually need or want. Maybe some day I won't be lazy to list them there, same like as you see I was too lazy to post story and pics from India... :unsure:;)

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Yes, I have massive collection, collecting through years, but these days I get some old stuff from my good friend that is DJ, so he is getting a lot of stuff and we share, unfortunately I don't buy ALL of my stuff, something very rare I download, but only rarities or hidden singles, making compilations of singles, or conceptual compilations for myself.

Other thing, I don't spend so much time on internet in general, ever since I came here, I was hooked and started to be more active and present on internet...and since I don't spend so much time in front of computer I don't do stuff like being on other forums, making my lists, sharing, exchanging...I like to come on internet, but  I can hardly wait to get offline cause I started to dislike computers because of  taking so much time ( unless you are using it for some creative purpose ) which is what I plan, I don't want to spend more time than I actually need or want. Maybe some day I won't be lazy to list them there, same like as you see I was too lazy to post story and pics from India... :unsure:  ;)

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Hehe... Well, some day perhaps? You know - adding stuff to Discogs is just ONE hard pull - but then it's there forever and you only need to add the new stuff you get... I like it a lot - and have never looked back...

 

And yeah - same with that India-story we never got... Ah well, I'll ask you about it when I meet you next year in Spain... ;o)

 

/DP

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And yeah - same with that India-story we never got... Ah well, I'll ask you about it when I meet you next year in Spain... ;o)

 

/DP

303988[/snapback]

Huuuuh, there is so much to talk Martin, we wouldn't have time from having to be with others too... ;) Joking, but really, that country has so many variable things inside that one 'little' story is not enough, it is all in energy there, can't actually explain, it has to be seen. ( You should see it for yourself Neo ) ;)

As soon when I set my foot there, I felt 'cleaned', and this is no BS, this is true feeling, the one I have never experienced visiting any other country, even when I was in other ancient, mystical country, Egypt, I didn't feel SUCH magic and energy...really, no wonder why so many people end up there, it's the country that calls you silently, waits for you to discover it and even calls you to stay there freely... :)

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I mean that there would no longer be cocaine, big breated bi females and flashy sport cars for the "artists"  B)

 

crazy womanians  :rolleyes:

303970[/snapback]

uh oh :)

 

Ahh Moni - you're the sweetest thing around... Thank you very much for your kind words... I cannot begin to express how happy that post made me feel... Positive feedback like yours makes it all worthwhile - and that's exactly why I spend hours and hours infront of the computer writing... To please people... Thx! :)

 

/DP

303973[/snapback]

it's the truth.

i also appreciate the info about the artists. you get that from the inside cover of the cds, right? :)

thank YOU

 

 

 

ok guys, cut the crap about discogs and india and dont hijack this thread :D

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Huuuuh, there is so much to talk Martin, we wouldn't have time from having to be with others too... ;) Joking, but really, that country has so many variable things inside that one 'little' story is not enough, it is all in energy there, can't actually explain, it has to be seen. ( You should see it for yourself Neo ) ;)

As soon when I set my foot there, I felt 'cleaned', and this is no BS, this is true feeling, the one I have never experienced visiting any other country, even when I was in other ancient, mystical country, Egypt, I didn't feel SUCH magic and energy...really, no wonder why so many people end up there, it's the country that calls you silently, waits for you to discover it and even calls you to stay there freely... :)

303992[/snapback]

Man, that sounds MAGICAL and pretty much like the description my buddy gave me when he was there a couple of years back... Sounds awesome, and I'm still gonna ask you about it @ The Psynews Gathering... Some druqckz will get you going... Hehe...

 

/DP

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uh oh :)

it's the truth.

303995[/snapback]

Well thanks again Mon... Much obliged! :):):):)

 

i also appreciate the info about the artists. you get that from the inside cover of the cds, right? :)

thank YOU

303995[/snapback]

Well yes and no... I usually get the names of people involved in the music from the CD covers, but just as often I refer to Discogs/PsyDB or promotional texts for the info I include... Or I go back to older reviews I've written and find the info I need... I'm glad you appreciate it... ;o)

 

/DP

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