@brian-futch
Reviews
Just wanted to publicly state my thoughts regarding the review process here. I was reviewing a new song that had been recently posted and came across something that really bothered me. The reviewer saw that the poster had not done any reviews and publicly attacked him for not participating in the review process. One of the reasons this bothered me is because I've been on the receiving end of this kind of attack and it was completely unfounded. People post their songs on this website for many different reasons, none of which any of us are privy too unless the person declares their reasons to us. Some post because they enjoy the sense of community here, that includes me. Some post because they want to have a place for friends and family to have access to their songs without the bother of sending large files through email or burning cd's to snail mail. Whatever their reason, they post. Some of these people pay for the extra benefits included with the package. Being coerced into doing reviews because you're worried about being called to the carpet does not produce honest, heartfelt reviews. It produces quick, cookie cutter reviews that end up being shallow, however honest, to get your review count up. Sorry, I don't subscribe to this. I think the public humiliation angle will hurt this site. If you've got a problem with someone, it would be better to privately message them to get it straightened out. You might find out that their situation might be different than yours. Maybe they don't have the time that you have to sit down everyday and listen to ten or twelve songs. There may be long stretches of time where their life is just so busy, they don't have time at all to listen and review. Whatever the reason, who are we to judge? You may disagree with me, that is your perogative. It is just my opinion that these "public" displays of disaffection does a disservice to the community as a whole. There, I said my piece.
Tags
when i got time i post reviews, like now!
when i don't, i don't! period!
let some one verbally attack me! and they will get an ear full of **** off!
digger
nice song just was sitting here i'm all relaxed now thanks
I agree with you 100% and what I really dont like is to log on and find someone who puts 10 or 12 songs on in a row if you put something on who the hell hears it? Just my opinion! The Ratman!
Very well said. I for one am not always able to spend a lot of time at the computer. Work and travel keep me pretty busy. But when I am on the computer, I enjoy listening to other artists and like to comment. No one should be verbally attacked for not writing reviews for the very reason you wrote.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Aysha
I agree with Self Tort - If I leave you a comment, I do not want/expect you to come review my stuff. Really, I'd rather continue being ignored than to have you leave a comment that isn't sincere, or invoked from the music.
If I were to show up and say "Hey... Dazed told me to review you, so here goes: Good tune." I don't think anybody would feel like their efforts were actually acknowledged, let alone praised.
I leave comments on songs that move me. What I want is for others to review in the same spirit. If I hear a song that doesn't appeal to me I just move on. Not because it sux... it doesn't. Just because that flavor isn't working for me that day. I would rather leave you be than to post that your song doesn't work for me.
I think I may have gone on too long... I also think I've edited this to a point of being incoherent... (sigh) Carry on...
Damn it, Robbo. If I'd known you were going to post such a succinct ideology, I'd have shut up and saved everyone some time.
I think you may have come up with a "logo" for this place. Do a deal with Dazed and the boys to ensure you get some royalties out of it.
My philosphy is give and give freely - let it go and let it grow.
Man, I wish I'd posted that. Says everything in one line that I was trying to say in 50.
Let that be our motto.
Cheers
Brian
My philosphy is give and give freely - let it go and let it grow.
Like Di Carlo I was on mixposure where the issue of reviewing kept rearing its ugly head. Personally I don't expect a review for a review. If someone likes my music and is prepared to say so, obviously that's pleasing. But to have people feel they have to come in and say something nice just because I reviewed them doesn't do anything for me. The end result is that the person with the most time on their hands gets the most reviews.
I don't think that's what this site is about. I'm really pleased with the quality and variety of the music I've been hearing on here. Until recently there were probably people who didn't get reviews back from me because my time on here was scarce.
It's all a matter of respect for each other. There are reasons why people don't return reviews, and why some really good songs go largely unreviewed. In some cases it's just lack of time.
I believe that putting the review etiquette up was a good idea. But you can't legislate for utopia. I suppose you could do the Garageband thing and make people give a certain number of reviews before they can post their own songs. But that just leads, in a lot of cases, to people putting up some quick slagging comments without even listening to the track they're reviewing, just so they can get their numbers up.
Musicians are by nature fairly selfish people. We wouldn't shut ourselves away for hours on end writing, practicing recording etc, if we weren't. So you're never going to get a perfect site when you invite musicians.
Personally I think the community of this site is really great and am enjoying my time here. So don't feel obliged to review me if I review you. I won't take offence or feel hurt. And even if you don't review at all I'll still listen to your music if it's good. If you don't review and also post a few "duds" then I'll probably give you a miss.
But I'll be honest.....I think that slagging off at a person on their home or song page is bad form. There are plenty of other ways of getting a message to someone. If you can't resolve it privately then just keep out of each other's way and let those who can get on with each other do so.
So guys and gals, as one who's been through this review debate ad nauseam in another place, my advice is don't let it worry you. Not knocking the present debate. It's been good with none of the bitterness that usually accompanies it.
Cheers
Brian
I HAVE to agree with the expressing of negative comments in any blog, review, or page comments. It's a major bringdown to a site like this. BUT!! I also HAVE to disagree with your comments regarding "review counts"....and shallow reviews. I personally enjoy a long review as much as I do a quickie. To me it shows an interest in my music and I feel a little support. The reason I review is to share the excitement I get from listening to one's music. I haven't really noticed if you have reviewed me or not....uh??....I suppose not and that's OK. I LOVE to find new music and I lOVE listening as much as playing. I LOVE the opportunity to express a few words of support and having it appreciated. I'll tell ya.......If I tried to tell Mick Jagger his show was great.......he probably wouldn't even hear me or care. The people here care and I like that. SO!! Bdf....do your thing, man and I'll keep listening and reviewing and enjoying the whole atmosphere of the people here. If this place goes negative?!?!?! I give up.....there will be no safe place to have FUN!!
I look at it this way. If someone has a lot of reviews and hardly any going out, I kind of think like Brian says. Maybe it is just posted for their family and fiends and I just do not comment.
Let's face it though. I think most people want feedback on their songs. I am easy guys. This is everyone's site so I just try and do want people want.
wow - great post Brian. You mentioned some things I did not even think about.
Would people be interesting in having the option to allow or not allow comments on their songs?
I wasn't naming names Rapster, though I respect you for saying what you said. It's all good.
let me please ease tensions and say i stand corrected.. it wasn't right of me to attack the gentleman at all..
it was meant as a HEY!! please take part in this wonderful site.. wonderful because of the review culture here.. if we just
want to post songs for our famlies we have myspace and all those sites.. surely the difference to myspace is just that.. we have a
community here.. based on reviewing.. if we post here and don't take part whatsoever.. fair enough.. but if we read our reviews..
if we have time to post songs and read our reviews.. then surely we can at least review occaisonally too.. BUT.. agreed.. not for me
to decide and certainly not to judge.. I stand corrected.. thanks Mr. Futch..
I didn't miss Dazed's comment on review etiquette at all, but if I'm paying for the service I can do what I please, right? I am supporting the community by contributing my hard earned money. Etiquette is one thing, how you deal with the lack of it is another. Honestly, if this is the way it's going to be, attacking people because you're assuming they won't review, then maybe I picked the wrong place. I can assure you this, some review WHEN they can. If they don't review others, then don't review them. It's not hard, but creating tension is not productive. We've all got enough stress in our lives, why create more here when this is where we go to escape the other crap? I've got no problem with etiquette at all, yes, it would be nice for everyone to review, but if they don't, ignore them and move on to the next one. That's all I'm saying.
I saw the articles referred to also, My belief is that if you want to do a review, then you review the piece itself not what writer/performer, has or has not done.
Informed opinion or constructive criticism, can be a good thing. Negativity helps in no way at all.
I review because I want to, the opinions are my own, and on the piece only. If I don't like a song of musical piece. I simply don't revue it.
Thats my philosophy on the matter
Yep,that would bother me too.
I have yet to find a site where the internet gurus didn't go round announcing stuff as "They" saw it.
Instead of minding their own business and doing their thing without worrying what the next fellow was doing.
It would be true to say that this,like many other sites do"Encourage" the review for review system,but as far as I can tell it doesn't say anywhere that it is mandatory.
Anyway,as I say,I really don't see where anyone has the right to attack anyone over ANYTHING.
For goodness sake,we're all just musicans uploading our music,this isn't the U.N and we're not fighting for world peace,so lighten up
Nigel.
Well said!
Look guys, please don't misunderstand me. I in no way implied that people should stop doing reviews. I think the reviews are the most helpful thing we have here. Heck, I've said all I need to say about it. I appreciate the responses. I hope you guys understand what I meant in my initial blog. Cheers.