Spamming for Reviews?

I've noticed over the last 12 months or so a marked increase in the number of unsolicited PMs I get asking me to review a new release. I've also noticed from those reviews on the front page that disclose such info, this phenomenon is clearly widespread across the whole membership. I always flatly refuse such requests (not because I occupy any moral high ground, but just cos I'd feel bad giving a one star flogging to something that I received as a 'freebie')

I'd be interested to hear how the members feel about being asked for reviews in this fashion:
Does it undermine or compromise our objectivity?
Should we just treat it as a compliment to PA's credibility in the Prog World and acknowledge that marketing and entrepreneurial zeal = internet hosted enthusiasm?
If you were an aspiring artist or record company, why would you target an amateur music appreciation site c/f a professional publication to garner reviews?

When I was still on Facebook, I was plagued by people asking me to review their music (sometimes referred by mutual friends). On a few occasions, I honestly told them that their music was not my cup of tea, therefore I would not be able to do it justice. Even though the majority of the artists whose music I have reviewed have been quite nice, I have had a couple of unpleasant brushes with people who expected me to write that their album was a masterpiece, and were disappointed by my lukewarm (though always respectful) review. This has put paid to any desire I might have had to review stuff that wasn't up my street.  Now that I have come back to PA, I have to admit that I often refrain from responding to such messages - even if I normally hate being rude.

Unfortunately, the truth is the scene is oversaturated, and artists are desperate for any kind of exposure. Professional mags dedicated to prog - with the exception of the execrable Prog - do not exist any longer, so it's up to amateur fanzines/webzines like ours to give those people the exposure they crave. All the prog websites I know (and I have collaborated with a few) receive far more promos than they can handle, at least in a reasonable amount of time.

Edit: I forgot to mention that some people have asked me to review their music by contacting me on my blog, especially now that Facebook is out of the equation. The last instance was no more than three days ago.


Edited by Raff - March 06 2015 at 18:06

I have absolutely no problem in being contacted and in reviewing albums. The reason for this is I don't receive a vast amount of requests - if I did then my response might have been different. Also, I don't promise a return date for the review since I know it is going to take some time (but will be there eventually).

 So my answers to Iain's questions would be:

a - No
b - Yes
c - Not sure how many more "professional" sites/media are out there that can pose reasonably reliable reviews on progressive rock. People on this site can be judged on their reviews/knowledge/professionalism so we are an easy and transparrent lot.


Edited by aapatsos - March 07 2015 at 05:51

Oh and in addition to that: Yes Iain, I do think that in some cases this compromises objectivity, but then again, objectivity was never one of music's defining qualities. I certainly don't think we can conjure up any rules or regulations to prevent people from doing this - we'd just be pushing people into the shadows making this whole thing all the more obscure and difficult to keep taps on.

^ What if the reviewer wanted to spend his/her hard earned cash, but the artist offered a copy

Well then we're on the same page (bar the squid reference which I still stand by).

Edited by Guldbamsen - March 07 2015 at 06:52

Meltdowner wrote: ^ What if the reviewer wanted to spend his/her hard earned cash, but the artist offered a copy

In the case of uber spammers Corvus Stone, I was offered a free copy but declined. Yet here's the rub, ended up buying the album (the second one) after hearing and loving the the track 'Boots For Hire' via You Tube. I haven't reviewed the album yet but would consider it a solid but rather derivative 3 star 'retroprogressive homage' effort.
Caveat Emptor doesn't translate easily into 'let the recipient of a freebie beware'


Edited by ExittheLemming - March 07 2015 at 06:57

Raff wrote: PA is an exception among prog websites in that people usually review albums they have bought themselves. On most other sites, people review promos sent by the artists or their labels.

Once again Raff, I accede to your knowledge of practices and behaviors on other Prog sites but this is probably the main reason I continue to visit only PA i.e. the very idea of 'staff' being distributed this month's promos for review I find frankly, repellant.

oh man.. need I say it.

TORMAN MAXT!!!!

If it's something the person really wants to, then why not? I know a fair few guys who do this because it gets them closer to the action. They (hopefully) get to see and talk to up and coming musicians, and everything that gets them just a tiny pace closer to the engine room will have them twitching like salamanders on a Parkinson's patient. I get it though. I really do.