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Why do we crave album reviews?



Posts: 26   Visited by: 55 users
24.08.2010 - 20:52
MeloDeathViking

So this is something I've been thinking about for a while. I know that for me, when an album comes out that I really like, or that has had a lot of hype around it, I really want someone to write a review on it; and I've heard other people say the same thing. But really, why do I want that? I already know what I think about the album. Why do I anxiouslly await for someone else to tell me what they think about it, or even what I should think about it? I'm curious to see what other people think about this.
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"I am not superstitious, but I'm a little 'stitious." - Michael Scott
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24.08.2010 - 21:09
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
It's called validation, brother. We all wanna be part of niche groups whereby we judge crap and feel superior to others. I suspect most people don't even know when they like something unless a bunch of their peers says it's ok to like it. I for one have trouble buying into the reviews on this site (aside from a few of the staffers), something about random listeners casting their opinions around willy-nilly doesn't do it for me because I know how easily influenced people are. If some cool kid says something's a bit good then lots of people follow. I just don't trust 'em. Then again I do have trouble believing anyone's opinions but my own.

Or something.
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24.08.2010 - 21:11
Lucas
Mr. Noise
Because you need someone to state your opinion for you.

On a (slightly more) serious note:

#1 information if you haven't heard it yet (new albums, old albums if you're going to dig for music).
#2 providing an in-depth analysis touching subjects (influences, intentions, atmospheres) you hadn't considered yet.
#3 i do think reviews can help in forming your own opinion, in a good, non-sheep-esque way. sometimes someone else just words an opinion better.
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SLUDGE. DOOM. DEATH. Wait, what?

"The reason I'm running for president is because I can't be Bruce Springsteen." - Barack Obama
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24.08.2010 - 21:31
Koen Smits

I also read reviews, but don't know why. I don't buy an album 'cause of a review.
I think they can help you indeed, but if you compare reviews from different sources you see quite a differance.
Compare the reviews from Aardschok, Metalstorm, Metal-Archives and Terrorizer for example and you think it's not about the same album.
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RIP: Frank Vandenbroucke (6 nov 1974 - 12 oct 2009)

Written by Bad English on 05.04.2014 at 15:05

but spoil thius film is like spoil porn and say porn ends whit cum shot ...
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24.08.2010 - 21:46
JÄY
Metal slave
Its entertainment...cause i love metal... ill soak up ALL METAL RELATED SHIT.
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24.08.2010 - 21:50
Fat & Sassy!

Written by Lucas on 24.08.2010 at 21:11

#1 information if you haven't heard it yet (new albums, old albums if you're going to dig for music).


The only reason I read reviews.

Written by JÄY on 24.08.2010 at 21:46

Its entertainment...cause i love metal... ill soak up ALL METAL RELATED SHIT.


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24.08.2010 - 21:51
Holy Man
STEEL DEFENDER
Personally, when submitting/reading reviews, I use that more for seeing who's into what. And i have a brain thing where I can't always explain the way I think about something, or how something translates to me. I can't get it into words, so a lot of times, since people with similar tastes will usually be reviewing the albums I'm looking at, I'll be able to relate to it. Good way to meet people with similar interests too, which can lead to band discovery, friendship etc. Sometimes, I check the reviews BEFORE I check out the album... just to see what the general consensus is... that probably coulda saved a lot of Maiden fans from hanging themselves... if they had just read the review BEFORE spending all that money on the album (or time if they just downloaded it). hahaha.
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LIGHT THE FUSE ON THAT VAGINAMITE!!!
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24.08.2010 - 21:53
Ag Fox
Angel No More
Well... for a number of reasons:

1) For new music
2) To see if others echo my opinion
3) To avoid wasting my time on checking out mediocre albums
4) MS reviews are just friggin entertaining
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loves 小巫
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24.08.2010 - 21:56
vezzy
Stallmanite
Wait, you mean the readers crave reviews?

Huh, well I do have some sort of weird impulse where I must review stuff (don't ask), but I've noticed that most people only seem to care about the popular album reviews, easier to argue there.
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Licensed under the GPLv3.
Relinquish proprietary software for a greater GNU/America.
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24.08.2010 - 21:59
MeloDeathViking

Written by Lucas on 24.08.2010 at 21:11

Because you need someone to state your opinion for you.

On a (slightly more) serious note:

#1 information if you haven't heard it yet (new albums, old albums if you're going to dig for music).


Yeah, when reading reviews of albums I haven't heard that is the reason. I guess this question all started with the newest Kalmah album. I love the album, and found myself craving a review for it, and then when I Troy reviewed it and gave it a compartively low rating to how I saw it, I got a little upset. And that's when it hit me, I knew I loved the album, why did I need to see somone else say they like it too, because it didn't matter that Troy like it, or didnt like it, I still love the shit outta that album. I dont know, just found it weird haha.
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"I am not superstitious, but I'm a little 'stitious." - Michael Scott
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24.08.2010 - 22:01
Holy Man
STEEL DEFENDER
I think you're still emotional dude... have a brewski, throw in some Morbid Angel or something and forget all about yer emotions... unless they involve fists, mutilation, or hatred...
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LIGHT THE FUSE ON THAT VAGINAMITE!!!
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24.08.2010 - 22:09
MeloDeathViking

Written by Holy Man on 24.08.2010 at 22:01

I think you're still emotional dude... have a brewski, throw in some Morbid Angel or something and forget all about yer emotions... unless they involve fists, mutilation, or hatred...


haha I'm not emotional, I just think my facination with reading reviews about albums I already love is weird, just stating that fact and seeing if anyone else felt the same way. I'm listening to Dark Tranquillity actually, and now I kinda want to punch a nun!
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"I am not superstitious, but I'm a little 'stitious." - Michael Scott
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24.08.2010 - 22:24
Fat & Sassy!

Written by MeloDeathViking on 24.08.2010 at 21:59

Yeah, when reading reviews of albums I haven't heard that is the reason. I guess this question all started with the newest Kalmah album. I love the album, and found myself craving a review for it, and then when I Troy reviewed it and gave it a compartively low rating to how I saw it, I got a little upset. And that's when it hit me, I knew I loved the album, why did I need to see somone else say they like it too, because it didn't matter that Troy like it, or didnt like it, I still love the shit outta that album. I dont know, just found it weird haha.


It is within your human nature to seek approval of others. Whether you realize it or not. Unless you're some kind of lone wolf, I guess... but even a "loner" can relate to another like himself. So yeah, this doesn't make sheep-ish or whatever. It just makes you human.
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24.08.2010 - 22:28
Ag Fox
Angel No More
Written by MeloDeathViking on 24.08.2010 at 22:09

Written by Holy Man on 24.08.2010 at 22:01

I think you're still emotional dude... have a brewski, throw in some Morbid Angel or something and forget all about yer emotions... unless they involve fists, mutilation, or hatred...


haha I'm not emotional, I just think my facination with reading reviews about albums I already love is weird, just stating that fact and seeing if anyone else felt the same way. I'm listening to Dark Tranquillity actually, and now I kinda want to punch a nun!
why would you want to punch a nun?

1) It would only cause you trouble
2) If she's hot, might as well want to get laid with her...

anyway, staff reviews are not everything. Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as you can respect others. Even among staff their opinion can be divided on many albums / bands. I have a rather different opinion on Dream Theatre than you, does that affect my respect towards you? no (=
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loves 小巫
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24.08.2010 - 22:37
Ag Fox
Angel No More
Written by Fat & Sassy! on 24.08.2010 at 22:24

Written by MeloDeathViking on 24.08.2010 at 21:59

Yeah, when reading reviews of albums I haven't heard that is the reason. I guess this question all started with the newest Kalmah album. I love the album, and found myself craving a review for it, and then when I Troy reviewed it and gave it a compartively low rating to how I saw it, I got a little upset. And that's when it hit me, I knew I loved the album, why did I need to see somone else say they like it too, because it didn't matter that Troy like it, or didnt like it, I still love the shit outta that album. I dont know, just found it weird haha.


It is within your human nature to seek approval of others. Whether you realize it or not. Unless you're some kind of lone wolf, I guess... but even a "loner" can relate to another like himself. So yeah, this doesn't make sheep-ish or whatever. It just makes you human.
quite true actually. I get happy when people gives me a thumbs up for my lists ^ ^ Though I still maintain my opinion though when I think a certain album is awesome just because others do not like it
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loves 小巫
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24.08.2010 - 22:37
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Personaly I dont care about it, I hardly read, maybe 10-20 in MS for all times, never reda any in MA , maybe in muisc magasines when Im on the road and am werry bored, for me, I have heard new ETOS awesome, good,,,,, new paradise lost what a masterpiece, when I hear it its maybe 10% truth in rewiews, so for me, I need hear album to judge, I never listen rewiews I need hear and Im mosutly in old forgotteb albums and my metal taste is so weird, so I dont need album rewiews, it never works, I can have 10-20 opoinums and non be like mine after listening it
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Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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24.08.2010 - 22:39
MeloDeathViking

Written by Ag Fox on 24.08.2010 at 22:28

Written by MeloDeathViking on 24.08.2010 at 22:09

Written by Holy Man on 24.08.2010 at 22:01

I think you're still emotional dude... have a brewski, throw in some Morbid Angel or something and forget all about yer emotions... unless they involve fists, mutilation, or hatred...


haha I'm not emotional, I just think my facination with reading reviews about albums I already love is weird, just stating that fact and seeing if anyone else felt the same way. I'm listening to Dark Tranquillity actually, and now I kinda want to punch a nun!
why would you want to punch a nun?

1) It would only cause you trouble
2) If she's hot, might as well want to get laid with her...

anyway, staff reviews are not everything. Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as you can respect others. Even among staff their opinion can be divided on many albums / bands. I have a rather different opinion on Dream Theatre than you, does that affect my respect towards you? no (=


Haha, the punch a nun thing was really random I know. Holy had just talked about wanting to punch, and I've been joking around about stuff that happens here at the Seminary recently so yea haha!

Why do people keep thinking I like hate staff reviews?! I'm so confused haha. I just happened to used Troy's review as an example because that's what sparked my quandry (did I use that correctly??).
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"I am not superstitious, but I'm a little 'stitious." - Michael Scott
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24.08.2010 - 22:43
Ag Fox
Angel No More
I never got the impression that you hate staff reviews (I know you love them like I do ), but since you mentioned Troy's review on 12 Gauges, I just expounded upon it.

It's quandary btw
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loves 小巫
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24.08.2010 - 22:51
MeloDeathViking

Written by Ag Fox on 24.08.2010 at 22:43

I never got the impression that you hate staff reviews (I know you love them like I do ), but since you mentioned Troy's review on 12 Gauges, I just expounded upon it.

It's quandary btw


So my spelling was wrong, but my use was right?! Woo, score one for my vocabulary haha.
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"I am not superstitious, but I'm a little 'stitious." - Michael Scott
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24.08.2010 - 22:55
Holy Man
STEEL DEFENDER
...well I feel ya man, I like to see people sharing my opinions... that's another perk of POSTING reviews... they come out of the wood work. Ya get the trolls too... but that's also part of the fun. Now, on to more important things...

I want to see a video of you punching the nuns... NO! DONKEY PUNCHING THE NUNS!!!!! DONKEY PUNCHING THE NUNS WHILST THEY EAT THE JELLO OUT OF THE HOLY WATER BOWL!!!!
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LIGHT THE FUSE ON THAT VAGINAMITE!!!
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24.08.2010 - 22:56
Ag Fox
Angel No More
I believe it is correct (hope this doesn't get counted as spam haha)
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loves 小巫
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24.08.2010 - 23:00
MeloDeathViking

Written by Holy Man on 24.08.2010 at 22:55

...well I feel ya man, I like to see people sharing my opinions... that's another perk of POSTING reviews... they come out of the wood work. Ya get the trolls too... but that's also part of the fun. Now, on to more important things...

I want to see a video of you punching the nuns... NO! DONKEY PUNCHING THE NUNS!!!!! DONKEY PUNCHING THE NUNS WHILST THEY EAT THE JELLO OUT OF THE HOLY WATER BOWL!!!!


You should see the responses to my MPE review, you would think I murdered a puppy or something haha. And as far as the nuns go, they are all pretty homely looking, but, there is a midget nun that comes around once in a while, that could be interesting!
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"I am not superstitious, but I'm a little 'stitious." - Michael Scott
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24.08.2010 - 23:01
Holy Man
STEEL DEFENDER
Dude, you could be orally pleasuring the tall nun, while the midget nun (whom we will affectionately refer to from this point on as the Nunlet) gives you a blumpkin...
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LIGHT THE FUSE ON THAT VAGINAMITE!!!
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25.08.2010 - 06:15
Derwood

I like reading reviews of albums and bands I'm unfamiliar with, especially from reviewers whose taste I'm familiar with. I know if Thryce recommends a thrash album, I'm probably going to like it and I usually enjoy the stuff Marcel likes. It helps me choose what albums to invest my time in checking out before deciding what to buy. I get about two hours a day to check out albums during my commute and I want to spend as much of it as I can listening to new albums I'm more likely to enjoy.

As for reading reviews of albums I'm already familiar with, I think the point made earlier about validating our own opinions is legitimate. It doesn't make us sheep or insecure to seek solace in knowing others share our views, it's just human nature.
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You can't fight evil with a macaroni duck!
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25.08.2010 - 06:41
Dangerboner
Lactation Cnslt
I browse reviews here and there on random sites when I'm really bored at work, but I honestly don't care about them. Too many reviewers are either too new to the scene to have a credible opinion, or the reviewer uses too much bias. Plus, people change their minds so often over the years, that I can't take them too seriously. Lastly, I have bought albums based on overhyped reviews just to find out that I wasted money, and vice versa.
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25.08.2010 - 11:26
Daniell
_爱情_
I like reviews, because they present someone else's point of view, be it similar to or different from mine. This way, I can find out some facts about the album that I myself missed. Sometimes it helps me look at music from a different angle that I haven't seen before.
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