Rating and reviewing albums after just 1 day

I wouldn't be comfortable doing that unless perhaps I had to because it was my job. I'd rather "live" with an album for a while and see how we get along in the longer term (take it to bed and see if it's still attractive or more attractive in the morning, and the morning after that, so to speak). While there are times when even just one listen would do it to get a good lasting impression, often my appreciation depends on the day, my mood, whatever music particularly appeals at the time, if I have other distractions. I do think my first general impressions commonly stay much the same, but with more time at the right times I would be likely to have deeper insight. For a review and a rating, I would definitely want to listen to it multiple times over a period of time more than a day. That way I might pick up on more nuances, make better musical associations. That said, I'm not much of a music reviewer since I don't think I'm talented at it and it feels like work to me. I think a good review doesn't just tell people how you feel about an album, it actually offers some interesting insights into the album and makes associations that are likely to be useful to some people. I think if one is really familiar with the musical idiom (specific genre/s), and can make apt comparisons to similar albums, then one would be more likely to write an informed and informative review even with minimal listening.

People are more bored, and thus excited, than ever for new stuff.

I never read such reviews and honestly wish it was prohibited to do like that. Especially annoying are some "reviewers" we have here who just 4-5-star every new release by popular bands, and all those "oh I've listened to it 5 times in there 2 days", like that recent btbam review for instance.

Frenetic Zetetic wrote: People are more bored, and thus excited, than ever for new stuff.

I realise I am in the vast minority but the only requirement for me is to have listened to it at all. All the 'you must listen to something 10,15,1 million times or whatever' to have a valid opinion is nonsense. Unless you have faulty ears then one listen is fine.

When I'm writing a review (which I haven't done for a long time now), I listen to the album once all the way through and then listen to each track individually at the same time as writing an overblown review - which is usually followed by giving the album more stars than you'll see in an average episode of Stars in Their Eyes. 

Logan wrote: I wouldn't be comfortable doing that unless perhaps I had to because it was my job. I'd rather "live" with an album for a while and see how we get along in the longer term (take it to bed and see if it's still attractive or more attractive in the morning, and the morning after that, so to speak).  ...

I've done a few first day reviews. After listening to the album 3 or 4 times. Does that count?

People on here who have 3,000 or more albums in their collection aren't going to wait until they listen to something 10 times or more. They are going to review it after one or two listens and then most likely not listen to the album again in a year (if at all). 

Psychedelic Paul wrote: When I'm writing a review (which I haven't done for a long time now), I listen to the album once all the way through and then listen to each track individually at the same time as writing an overblown review - which is usually followed by giving the album more stars than you'll see in an average episode of Stars in Their Eyes.

I would say this is pretty much my approach for new albums. Once through for first impressions, then one song at a time making my notes, then a once through again listening and looking at what I wrote down to see if I feel it's truly the way I really feel. I certainly don't need 5 or 10 times through to make a reasonable assessment of it.


Edited by JD - August 29 2021 at 15:21