Online Album Reviews

SGR · 06-16-2011, 08:41 AM

So where do you guys read and watch album reviews? Post the links! Especially if you know some good video album reviewers as those are usually the most interesting. Have you guys heard of Velocities In Music? What do you think of them?

Home - Velocities In Music

BastardofYoung · 06-16-2011, 12:47 PM

rateyourmusic and allmusic are usually what i go to.

stay away from Pitchfork though, it may lead to hipsterism, trolling and elitist views.

Paedantic Basterd · 06-16-2011, 05:42 PM

I seldom actually read reviews, on the basis that I'm not interested in a complete stranger's opinion, and wouldn't like to to influence my own. If I were to read a review, I would want it to be written by someone I know and respect, and even then I would rather discuss what they thought than be told it.

BastardofYoung · 06-16-2011, 05:53 PM

I read reviews just to see what others thing, but then i listen for myself and give my on opinion on what i think... which i hope leads to somebody else giving their opinion on what they... and so on and so on and so on.

I look at it for suggestions, not to be told what is the best.

Like with Rate My Music, i will download a top rated album, as an introduction... but then go from there all my own.

That should be what these sites are used for, suggestions and nothing more.

Same with movies or anything.

My biggest issue with these things would be, who is reviewing it? it is like... if you look at the movies.. if somebodies favorite movie is Citizen Kane, and they wind up reviewing a b-movie like Basket Case... how do they approach it? When reviewing something, I think it is best to stick to the comfort zone and taste of your own first before branching out. Somebody who has watched nothing but art films for their entire life, and then watches a b-movie horror film will not rate it based on it's own merits, they will be more likely to rate it based on it only in relation to their own tastes.

A good review is subjective, weighing out the pros and cons of something, looking at the good, but also noticing the bad. Opinion alone can't hold a review and won't speak to everybody.

SGR · 06-16-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BastardofYoung

rateyourmusic and allmusic are usually what i go to.

stay away from Pitchfork though, it may lead to hipsterism, trolling and elitist views.

who exactly writes reviews for allmusic anyway? Is it a team of reviewers?

BastardofYoung · 06-16-2011, 06:53 PM

yeah, different people. Not just one. I think they have different "experts" for different styles.
http://www.allmusic.com/explore/writers-bloc/

captaincaptain · 06-16-2011, 08:57 PM

Metacritic gives you a good sampling of many reviews. All Pitchfork is good for are concert announcements on their site.

ThePhanastasio · 06-16-2011, 09:15 PM

I really enjoy Glide Magazine for reviews of shows and albums. They've got a good sampling of music I'm interested in, and I actually get to read reviews and be updated on the jam band scene whilst also being able to read about indie/alternative and more mainstream releases.

Glide Magazine

Phantom Limb · 06-16-2011, 09:22 PM

I like pitchfork. They have a huge database and I've learned about a lot of new music through them. I also very rarely disagree with their reviews (except the Mars Volta ones). Someone should explain to me why pitchfork is so hated because I don't get it.

SGR · 06-17-2011, 09:44 AM

^I think people hate em due to the fact that they act like snobs. Basically a bunch of music elitists.

06-16-2011, 08:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
SGR No Ice In My Bourbon Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: /dev/null Posts: 4,326	Online Album Reviews So where do you guys read and watch album reviews? Post the links! Especially if you know some good video album reviewers as those are usually the most interesting. Have you guys heard of Velocities In Music? What do you think of them? Home - Velocities In Music

06-16-2011, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
BastardofYoung Buzz Killjoy Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2,692	rateyourmusic and allmusic are usually what i go to. stay away from Pitchfork though, it may lead to hipsterism, trolling and elitist views. __________________ last.fm ‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.

06-16-2011, 05:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
BastardofYoung Buzz Killjoy Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2,692	I read reviews just to see what others thing, but then i listen for myself and give my on opinion on what i think... which i hope leads to somebody else giving their opinion on what they... and so on and so on and so on. I look at it for suggestions, not to be told what is the best. Like with Rate My Music, i will download a top rated album, as an introduction... but then go from there all my own. That should be what these sites are used for, suggestions and nothing more. Same with movies or anything. My biggest issue with these things would be, who is reviewing it? it is like... if you look at the movies.. if somebodies favorite movie is Citizen Kane, and they wind up reviewing a b-movie like Basket Case... how do they approach it? When reviewing something, I think it is best to stick to the comfort zone and taste of your own first before branching out. Somebody who has watched nothing but art films for their entire life, and then watches a b-movie horror film will not rate it based on it's own merits, they will be more likely to rate it based on it only in relation to their own tastes. A good review is subjective, weighing out the pros and cons of something, looking at the good, but also noticing the bad. Opinion alone can't hold a review and won't speak to everybody. __________________ last.fm ‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.

06-16-2011, 06:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
BastardofYoung Buzz Killjoy Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 2,692	yeah, different people. Not just one. I think they have different "experts" for different styles. http://www.allmusic.com/explore/writers-bloc/ __________________ last.fm ‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.

06-16-2011, 08:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
captaincaptain I Am Become Death Metal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stankonia Posts: 695	Metacritic gives you a good sampling of many reviews. All Pitchfork is good for are concert announcements on their site. __________________ LAST.FM RYM

06-16-2011, 05:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	I seldom actually read reviews, on the basis that I'm not interested in a complete stranger's opinion, and wouldn't like to to influence my own. If I were to read a review, I would want it to be written by someone I know and respect, and even then I would rather discuss what they thought than be told it.

06-16-2011, 09:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
ThePhanastasio Killed Laura Palmer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 1,679	I really enjoy Glide Magazine for reviews of shows and albums. They've got a good sampling of music I'm interested in, and I actually get to read reviews and be updated on the jam band scene whilst also being able to read about indie/alternative and more mainstream releases. Glide Magazine __________________ Phish: Studio Discography Reviewed 100 Albums I Heartily Recommend My last.fm It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Perhaps they're better left unsung

06-17-2011, 09:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
SGR No Ice In My Bourbon Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: /dev/null Posts: 4,326	^I think people hate em due to the fact that they act like snobs. Basically a bunch of music elitists.