Immediate Turn-Offs When Listening To Post Classic Prog Bands

[veteranof1000psychicwars]

Right. If listening to other people's opinions is as hard as it is for veteranof1000psychicwars, then maybe it's just better to stay off the forums and concentrate on listening to music. That's a healthy solution too. Personally, I'm interested in other people's opinions even if they don't directly affect my own. Sometimes, of course, they can. But that's fine too. You CAN learn things from other people.

Wow. You are absolutely right. Thanks.

[Gizmotron]

Wow, l don't read too many threads that completely suck the basic enjoyment out of music on every level but you all have done your "best"! Kudos to you.

I have resisted commentating here. But your post perfectly said what I was thinking.

Sorry…I don’t mean to offend all ya, but my goodness, what a negative, Debby Downer Thread!

[smcfee]

I have resisted commentating here. But your post perfectly said what I was thinking.

Sorry…I don’t mean to offend all ya, but my goodness, what a negative, Debby Downer Thread!

Why are you guys opening a thread about "immediate turn-offs" if you don't want to see negative posts?

[taliesin]

Why are you guys opening a thread about "immediate turn-offs" if you don't want to see negative posts?

To see if the usual standards of PE bitching and moaning are being met?

And yes they are.

[neuroticdog]

Why are you guys opening a thread about "immediate turn-offs" if you don't want to see negative posts?

its a schoedingers cat sitch. I agree but, I'm reading it too.

One question that has come to my mind is, what does the PE folk consider to be good critical writing? What do you look for when reading reviews?

best
Michael

ps-yes, I know it has nothing to do with the subject of this thread but it's been mentioned above somewhere, thus my question

[vmartell]

One question that has come to my mind is, what does the PE folk consider to be good critical writing?

Thinking not only PE, but for the whole of the internet it means "it's saying things I agree with"

[neuroticdog]

Thinking not only PE, but for the whole of the internet it means "it's saying things I agree with"

yeah yeah... I know. That's an exaggeration, but only just

TBH, my question was serious. Do people here like a formalistic breakdown of the music with not much subjectivity but heavy on the technic? Or, what about almost all pure subjectivity-this music makes me feel like... Or this music reminds me of this childhood memory... etc. Or, a little of both.

I personally enjoy reading critical writing on music that covers the formalistic angles while at the same time being honest and sharing personal feelings/thoughts about it as to how it affects your life.

Statements like "I don't care what others think, I like it" or "it's saying things I agree with" are non starters for me. These are the equivalent to "internet takes" and they are a complete waste of my time. One liners bug the shit out of me. I don't need to hear your "take", as if I really give a shit anyway without back up or context.

best
Michael

[vmartell]

yeah yeah... I know. That's an exaggeration, but only just

TBH, my question was serious. Do people here like a formalistic breakdown of the music with not much subjectivity but heavy on the technic? Or, what about almost all pure subjectivity-this music makes me feel like... Or this music reminds me of this childhood memory... etc. Or, a little of both.

I personally enjoy reading critical writing on music that covers the formalistic angles while at the same time being honest and sharing personal feelings/thoughts about it as to how it affects your life.

Statements like "I don't care what others think, I like it" or "it's saying things I agree with" are non starters for me. These are the equivalent to "internet takes" and they are a complete waste of my time. One liners bug the shit out of me. I don't need to hear your "take", as if I really give a shit anyway without back up or context.

best
Michael

Now joking aside... the only thing I ask is for the writer to know the subject and write from that. Writers with different training and knowledge will come from different angles. But it will show. Showing that work is essential. That's what separate's NME writers from actual reviewers.

It used to be that music critics had musical training. Eduard Hanslick and Julius Korngold worked FROM THE SCORE when reviewing concerts and new pieces. Robert Schumann himself was also a critic. I always enjoy that. On the flipside of that I always thought that Robert Christgau knew nothing about music.He just wrote about the cultural and social implications of what he heard. VERY LITTLE BTW, so he did not show if he was good at that. Or as they say, "he reviewed the hype, not the music".

But again, as long as you know the subject and show it. There is a youtuber called Abigal Devoe.. now, she is a young girl into Classic Rock, including lots of Prog. She surprised me, because she is one of very few reviewers that noticed a very important thing about Pink Floyd's Animals. I don't know how many reviewers I read, including from important publications that call it as "based on Animal Farm". Now while Animals' concept is Orwellian, it is NOT Animal Farm. Animal Farm is an allegory for the Soviet Union. Pink Floyd's Animals is an allegory for modern capitalism. Very different things. And Abigail Devoe mentioned that. She did not do a full on musical analysis beyond describing her impressions of the music. BUT, just for mentioning that, it was an enjoyable review.

That's what I am looking for, IMHO

[neuroticdog]

Now joking aside... the only thing I ask is for the writer to know the subject and write from that. Writers with different training and knowledge will come from different angles. But it will show. Showing that work is essential. That's what separate's NME writers from actual reviewers.

It used to be that music critics had musical training. Eduard Hanslick and Julius Korngold worked FROM THE SCORE when reviewing concerts and new pieces. Robert Schumann himself was also a critic. I always enjoy that. On the flipside of that I always thought that Robert Christgau knew nothing about music.He just wrote about the cultural and social implications of what he heard. VERY LITTLE BTW, so he did not show if he was good at that. Or as they say, "he reviewed the hype, not the music".

But again, as long as you know the subject and show it. There is a youtuber called Abigal Devoe.. now, she is a young girl into Classic Rock, including lots of Prog. She surprised me, because she is one of very few reviewers that noticed a very important thing about Pink Floyd's Animals. I don't know how many reviewers I read, including from important publications that call it as "based on Animal Farm". Now while Animals' concept is Orwellian, it is NOT Animal Farm. Animal Farm is an allegory for the Soviet Union. Pink Floyd's Animals is an allegory for modern capitalism. Very different things. And Abigail Devoe mentioned that. She did not do a full on musical analysis beyond describing her impressions of the music. BUT, just for mentioning that, it was an enjoyable review.

That's what I am looking for, IMHO

Thank you, very nicely stated-even though I would push back a little and say that I would sincerely hope that the writers know the subject. I would consider that a given. If they don't, then what exactly are they doing anyway?

Reviewers, or should I say "reviewers" that are on a payroll and have an economic incentive to publish something are not what I want to read. I don't think there is much honesty in those reviews and I certainly don't think their words are coming from a place other than their ego. This is so, even if they DO know the subject matter-I'm basically talking about the Beato's, Edwards' and any other two bit hack wannabe YouTube influencer. They are the worst!

There is nothing wrong in writing something and getting paid for your efforts, but if it's coming from a place that does not have the passion or fire or heart-than I consider their motivations suspect. And, it's pretty easy to identify those efforts

best
Michael

[Splicer]

Why are you guys opening a thread about "immediate turn-offs" if you don't want to see negative posts?

Honestly my original post was because I was listening to some new releases and the thought popped into my head which became the thread starter. That's kind of how I start every thread everywhere.

[Kcrimso]

Honestly my original post was because I was listening to some new releases and the thought popped into my head which became the thread starter. That's kind of how I start every thread everywhere.

Nothing wrong with your thread or opinions presented in it.

[Snikle]

Yeah, I don't take any offense to any of the opinions in this thread, even though I certainly don't agree with many of them. I'll take widdly keyboards any day. When I read one I disagree with vehemently I laugh and move on, secure in my own taste just as much as the (probably older and more musically experienced) other posters are.

[moecurlythanu]

Right. If listening to other people's opinions is as hard as it is for veteranof1000psychicwars, then maybe it's just better to stay off the forums and concentrate on listening to music. That's a healthy solution too. Personally, I'm interested in other people's opinions even if they don't directly affect my own. Sometimes, of course, they can. But that's fine too. You CAN learn things from other people.

What a radical thought! Go stand in the corner, sir, and reflect on what you did to lead you to such an outlandish viewpoint!

[Vic2012]

What a radical thought! Go stand in the corner, sir, and reflect on what you did to lead you to such an outlandish viewpoint!

And a few lashes with a wet noodle.. lol