Reviews discussion

well, to sum the reasons for reporting this

1. the last time Y reviewed something was February 24th (a rate for Animals). so thank God there's some music in this world which to totally disgust you and make you review it, with disgust.

2. no one's saying "don't review negatively", but I merely find this creative writing as a "very negative review"

3. I'm not judging Y's humour, in fact I know some of his reviews and posts are humorous. And other reviews and posts of him are humorous.

(4. Yes, laplace, I know you hate Ayreon's album too, but I think your 1-star review was much more interesting, well-written, motivated etc. etc. )

5. As I'm not judging Y's humour (though the Pope thing is pretty bad, I watched, as a non-Catholic, the news about John Paul II dying - or about his funeral - praying and feeling sad, no way did I stop to observe his...nostrils...or whatever), I'm obviously judging the writing.
  a. first off, a total lack of telling directly what's the point/the opinion. Instead: "metaphors", creative writing, puns and free sentences. I know it's bit of Y's style, but, again, kinda leaving you stunned this time.
  b. second off, a moment of complete incoherence, at least for me:" Unfortunately this shocker couldn't give a randy, over-endowed rhinoceros who hadn't had it for a good few months and had been fed solely on moth larvae and dandelion leaves for the whole spring and had been humping mounds of mud for eternity and had just been let hitherto into the 'barely-legal-and-all-you- can-eat-and-drink-for-a-fiver Rhino-pen-of-Heaven' the horn."
...
...
what?


Edited by Ricochet - April 14 2008 at 15:18

^ indeed, Atavachron.


Incidentally, *side note*, some people find the terms Progressive Rock and AOR idiotic too.  I think some might say that Kansas is more AOR/ Prog in the 70's and didn't come into its own as a full-fledged Arena Rock band until the early '80s. 

Note: I do tend to be turned off by reviews which state things like "Get this album NOW! No excuses..." especially given the context of the rest of the review (I don't think the reviewer has presented certain arguments thoughtfully-enough for me to wish to follow the command).

Just want to generally point out his ratings (which follows canon, generally, and shows variety, and I'd say indicates fairness of ratings... Note his other Kansas review has but three stars):


GENESIS - Nursery Cryme
HENRY COW - Western Culture
KANSAS - Leftoverture
GENESIS - Duke
RUSH - Hemispheres
KANSAS - Audio-Visions
WAKEMAN, RICK - The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
GENESIS - From Genesis To Revelation




Edited by Logan - April 12 2008 at 17:45

Taken from the reviews abuse thread

AShowOfHands wrote: It's only a minor point but is it really fair to call someone retarded for not liking Kansas, check it out here:   http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=166347

I'd like some opinions on the evaluation of Arena Rock...

spookytooth wrote: Sad that people assume that Kansas is yet another throwaway late 70's early 80's arena rock band simply because their huge hit Carry on Wayward Son was hard rocking and appealed to fans of arena rock (even though if you look deeper, Carry On IS a prog song). {I thought of this as a proggy Arena rock (aka Anthemic rock) song myself} These people who assumed this are either: A. retarded {I admit to musical retardation} B. haven't listened to other Kansas material C. Didn't realize that they made Dust In the Wind which is far, far away from arena rock {I hadn't thought ballads uncommon to Arena rock bands} ... Leftoverture is not only the best Kansas album, but in the top five of the best prog albums I've ever listened to. It's sad to see this album is fading away from the public eye, people need to get over the arena rock assumptions. Arena Rock is an idiotic statement, anyway. If it were a true genre, wouldn't the Beatles or the Rolling Stones be considered this because they played in arenas? {I thought they were considered early, to use this site's terminology, proto, versions of arena rock bands, but since sound as well as concerts are integral...}  Completely idiotic. {100% iidiotic?} Anyway, Kansas (along with Thin Lizzy) may be one of the most underrated {hmm} rock bands ever. Definitely a must buy, especially if you are a prog fan {is this a fact? And is it less so for those who like Arena Rock?} Every track is flawless, and they flow seamlessly through and they fit as if it were a theatrical production (as I stated earlier). Get this album NOW! No excuses...  {except we have different tastes and priorities}

The wikipedia entry fit my understanding of Arena rock http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_rock

Wikipedia wrote: Arena rock, also called stadium rock or anthem rock, is a loosely-defined term describing an era of rock music. It spawned from heavy metal, hard rock, and progressive rock in the 70s by bands such as Styx and Queen.[ Arena rock takes its sound from hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive rock.[1] Arena rock is "heavy",[1] but it is not as hard and is "more commercially oriented" than other subgenres of hard rock and heavy metal.[1] Songs are often linked by concept albums,[1] a trait inherited from progressive rock. Other features include "slick productions",[2] an emphasis on the verses,[1] and an "unnatural emphasis on big, anthemic hooks and choruses",[1] the last trait "set[ting it] apart from its influences".[1] Arena rock is not only defined by its sound, it is also defined by its concerts. ... Arena rock's origins can be traced to the late 1960s, with bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and The Who. Those bands "set the stage for massive live performances in stadiums and arenas around the globe."[4] The genre itself, though, was created by bands such as Boston, Styx, Foreigner, Journey, Queen, Peter Frampton, and (Phil Collins-era) Genesis. Those bands would go on to "sell-out the world’s largest venues throughout most of (the 70s) and beyond" [4] and help make arena rock popular in the 80s.

I had thought of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles 60's output as sort of Proto-Arena Rock (as genre), but thought that it wasn't just that bands played in arenas but took an approach to making music.  And since Arena rock is supposed to be influenced by Prog (Kansas being considered a Prog and Arena Rock band), I don't see why having a prog song on it would exclude it from being Arena Rock?

I'm not an expert, but what are your thoughts on this album in an Arena rock context?  Since Arena Rock peaked in the 80's, is the arena rock labeling for this album off (was this album largely pre-Kansas arena rock stage? Or is most of it not Arena rock style music?)  I'm hardly an expert on Kansas or the style, so I'm genuinely curious.

Seems a bit fanboyish to me, and makes subjective statements as if they are fact, and calls others idiotic who would make different claims.  How right is he with his claims?

 




Edited by Logan - April 12 2008 at 16:55

prog-chick wrote: ARENA — The Visitor Review by digdug This is a good Marillion album......not as good as 'Script For a Jesters Tear' but probably better than 'Clutching at Straws'......ooooh....wait a minute....this isn't a Marillion album?? Sure sounds like one...... There are some extra musical bits that are not a total rip off of Marillion....so I can't give this two stars.....I actually don't mind listening to the album...when in the mood for something that is not too complex..... but it is too derivative for me to give a rating any higher than 3 stars. If you are a Marillion fan.....and wish that Fish never left.....you will probably enjoy this.... Report this review (#165091) | Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008, 22:06 EST

Edited by Mandrakeroot - April 06 2008 at 04:44

Just pointing out Seltzer's reviews, which are currently at the top of the front page.

Ghost Rider wrote: Another not very useful review, I'm afraid... http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=165345

Ghost Rider wrote: Another not very useful review, I'm afraid... http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=165345

I agree.. maybe an encouraging PM from our crack reviews admins  with a suggestion to take his unique perspective .. being an Italian.. and 'sell' the album. Tell us what us non-Italians are missing.  Not to mention what is 'good' about it.  Granted he did make a point that his english is not good.. just remind him that has not stopped many of us here.  We just do the best we can even if our English is not that good hahha.

Atkingani wrote: AShowOfHands wrote: bhikkhu wrote: Hey, check this guy's reviews of the Beatles. They are more of a political statement about them being here, than actual reviews. http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=164502 http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=164501 And progrules is a Prog Reviewer too. Shouldn't we expect more?   Sorry but how did this dude score a Prog Reviewer title? All I learned from those review is the guy doesn't like The Beatles and a lot of people here do.   Sorry but 2 reports among more than 400 reviews is like impeding Hillary to candidate for presidency for having a blister in a foot.

Well, I can't speak for his other reviews, but shouldn't he be at least asked to rewrite these?

yeah.. sorry about that Bob...  I tend to be a bit of a leaf in the wind... and take and follow  conversations where they go.. regardless of where they are at or supposed to be

*adds more posts to  my never to be broken record of hidden and deleted posts here *

cacho wrote: Atkingani wrote: Cacho is reaching 14 today? Thank you sir!!!

crap... I never saw that...  and you've signed off... see what kind of dad I am Out drinking, smoking, and raising hell on the internet.. and didn't notice it was your birthday.

Happy birthday Cacho.