Question for reviewers

Also, I think an album needs to have at least 50 -100 ratings to be considered even in the game at all. An album that has 3 or 4 five star ratings after a year or two was obviously never a real contender. How many ratings does ItCotKC have? (4800) at 4.85. At PA alone.
The true measure of high ratings is how many people have listened to the album over the years. There are thousands upon thousands of “masterpieces “ out there that have only been rated by 4 or 5 people and have since been 100% forgotten about. Many raters and reviewers here at PA have many hundreds of 5 star ratings in their file. Albums I’ve never heard of, and likely never will listen to.

Our 2007 album ERIS has 13 ratings here after 18 years… obvious flop that isn’t going anywhere. lol.

Edited by Valdez - March 02 2025 at 08:18

Atavachron wrote: Grumpyprogfan wrote: A few years ago, I wrote a three star review for an album. The artist who made the album contacted me and tried to persuade me to remove the review because it was three stars, and most all other reviewers gave it five stars. I did not remove the review and I noticed several hateful comments about my review on the artists Facebook page. Have any other reviewers had this happen to them? Sure.   Ignore it, and if it happens again tell him to shove it.

Hrychu wrote: richard wrote: 5 star ratings should indeed by reserved for exceptional albums like Dark Side Of The Moon but then virtually nothing released this century could seriously ever be considered 5 stars. I'd say that's completely subjective. I personally know a couple of albums from this century that I would unashamedly call masterpieces on the same level as Dark Side of the Moon or Close to the Edge. Casiopea vs. The Square is one of such masterpieces to me.

I suppose 3 stars does scream 'meh' and that might get some hackles up lol. The rating system at PA however is a bit lacking in sophistication when virtually every rating site of anything has at least a 1-10 rating system. 5 star ratings should indeed by reserved for exceptional albums like Dark Side Of The Moon but then virtually nothing released this century could seriously ever be considered 5 stars. It therefore becomes a moot point.

A few years back, I wrote a negative review of the latest Shadow Circus album, but then the band's manager messaged me asking to take it down.

SC manager wrote: That's just not cool, man. It's only been out a few hours. You don't know what effort goes into this. Obviously you don't review anything metal influenced. I wish you'd take it down and let the album find its audience first. What did you gain today? You got to be the first to complain?

me wrote: Everybody has the right to express their opinion. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Especially on ProgArchives, which is a review-centric website. And on PA, I always post honest reviews, even if they're negative. And as a composer/producer I do know very well what effort goes into this. You gotta cope with the fact, that not every review is gonna be super glowing. I do have very strong feelings that your album is gonna be well received by a lot of people. Also, it's always good to see REVIEWS of your stuff on PA (even the negative ones), rather than plain ratings! I've had random people 1-star bomb my discography with plain ratings and it not only hurt but also confused me. Because of that I always make sure to accompany my negative ratings with the reasons why I don't like something. And I've also learned that if random people don't like something you've made, it's not the end of the world.

SC manager wrote: Sorry but you're a f**king douchebag. Mid life crisis? Is that a valid musical observation? No. It's personal insults. Take it down and f**k off.

So I eventually did remove my review not to start a drama for such trvial reasons.

Rexorcist wrote: The guy I was replying to, apparently, was the frontman.

Edited by ThyroidGlands - March 01 2025 at 16:57

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Oh man. Yeah, never give in to them. If they can't accept a less than stellar review or rating then they are in the wrong business.

^ Yep---   and forget how others might rate, it's about your honest take.   Once you start going by some other standard you've lost credibility.

I've always respected Hugues when it comes to ratings. The dude is not afraid to rate albums conservatively and by the letter of the site definitions. He shells out plenty of 2 star ratings when appropriate. And when Hugues actually gives something 5 stars (or even 4), I know I need to pay special attention to that album. 

^ And don't change it a word.   Call 'em like you see 'em, don't give an inch, stick to your guns, and wear their ignorant comments like a badge of honor.