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So this is of interest to probably no one, but I’ve been thinking quite a bit about how the community has responded to eMusic Selects so far, and in particular the user comments on the High Places and Breathe Owl Breathe albums. To date, the Breathe Owl Breathe album has ten user reviews, while the High Places has two (there are five total, but the others are not substantive) — this despite the fact that the High Places has undoubtedly been the higher profile album thanks to the Pitchfork review and other mentions. (BTW: This is not a judgment on either record. I love them both equally!)
So why do people comment more on Breathe Owl Breathe? Is it that they are more comfortable with that kind of music? The High Places are kinda difficult, and definitely aren’t an easy get. Is it that the Pitchfork review of the High Places effectively shut down any sort of commentary because they had declared it as great? Does that make it harder to weigh in/remove space for debate? It might be none of these reasons, and it might simply be chance.
I was mainly curious what you guys think, if anything. And what about reviews/comments in general? There’s obviously a certain kind of person who is inclined towards speaking up (I am definitely one of those), and there are other who are five times as smart but just don’t feel that itch to make themselves known. What compels you to post an album review, if anything?
PS: eMusic Selects Round 2 next Tuesday!!!
I tend to only review if I find an album I love that no-one has given a good review yet. Or if there’s a band I love who’ve put out an awful rekkid – I’ll put a pointer on saying try another first to make sure people aren’t put off.
The Breathe Owl Breathe album really surprised me. It has an effect that’s more than the sum of its parts in a weird way that I haven’t seen any review do justice to. (No offense). The only thing I’ve read that to me feels like what the album is all about is the interview with the band members, and that doesn’t really even talk about the sound of the album much. So it’s only a guess but maybe so many people are reviewing it because everybody’s trying to find words that fit.
I think the High Places album is great too, but it’s definitely not as wide reaching of a sound as Breathe Owl Breathe. It has looser structure and is noisier, more experimental and more private. So another guess is that High Places is something people like to listen to for themselves, while Breathe Owl Breathe is something people like to share.
I have been considering jumping back into the commenting game for months (and likely to consider it for a lot longer), but even if I was in it right now, High Places (about which my initial impression was “Out Hud meets Burial”) merits a LOT more “spins” than I’ve given it so far before I can render a reasonable opinion.
Also, I (and many other eMu folks, by a 5 or more to 1 ratio) tend to post favorable reviews. HP’s is a much more “challenging” record than BOB’s, and therefore much more likely to inspire reviewers to give up on it altogether rather than form and articulate a favorable opinion.
Or, maybe BOB appeals to a broader audience. I recommended it to my wife (an eMu member with decidedly more mainstream tastes than mine) and skipped recommending HP to her altogether. For the record, she digs BOB (but probably won’t post a comment about it).
FWIW (not much, I know), I’ve only “reviewed” one disc, I think, and I was just especially motivated to do so. I don’t review discs often, because (a) I don’t think I’d add much to the discussion (aside from “Great Disc!” or longwinded, poor attempts at meaningful commentary) and (b) I prefer the more interactive forums, like posting comments on eMusic (in the forums and here) and one other place (where, when it comes to music, I mostly read what others have to say).
i think that all of these reasons are great, and i totally agree.
and adamm, i know what you mean about us focusing more on who they are — you are right. for us, we were just really, really struck by who they were as people, and we thought eMu folks would be similarly smitten.
again, lemme restate that i absolutely love both records. just love. we were very, very lucky to have such great music kickoff this project.
I haven’t had a chance to process fully Breathe Owl Breathe, so I haven’t added a review yet. I didn’t download High Places because the samples didn’t appeal to me (probably too challenging).
In general, I only add a review if a particular album hasn’t been well reviewed (i.e., hardly any reviews or not-so-useful reviews). In my reviews I like to include links, my favorite tracks, and some artist info – things I hope other subscribers appreciate.
“Or, maybe BOB appeals to a broader audience. I recommended it to my wife (an eMu member with decidedly more mainstream tastes than mine) and skipped recommending HP to her altogether”
You know I did the same thing (with my brother) I lestened to the BOB song I had and before it was even finished i interrupted it (convergence device “TREO” Phone and Music Player) and called my brother (EMU subscriber) and told him that he must check the album out.
that said (about that album) I think the reviews are great though I’d like to see a report this comment (or at least something like YouTube’s got where stupid or inappropriate comments are minimized). I am sick to death of the following two types of comments:
!) “This is an outrage why isn’t this available in {my country},” wherein they then go and blame eMusic instead of realizing that the various distributors and copyright laws must be dealt with.
2)”Blah blah blah this s### is terrible F### emusic why can’t the get good s###.” Look you knew when you signed up that this is a place to discover and distribute independent music without DRM mucking things up. If yopu don’t like it don’t subscribe but stop complaining to people who wouldn’t care if you left. go download some Falloutboy from Wlamart and STFU.
The comments are often good and I (at least) try to put other bands that someone might lsten to if they’re interested in an album or rather the other way around but I’m at work and can’t get the sentance right). (example Felt http://www.emusic.com/artist/Felt-MP3-Download/11624146.html) or if the albums been mismarked (again Felt which keeps getting x-referenced with FELT (Slug Murs)).
I agree with MiDoJo – I hate those two types of comments. And then sometimes there are response reviews addressing those comments.
MiDoJo is spot on. A feature that lets eMu know about non-substantial comments (and encourage you to disable them) would dramatically improve the usefulness of the feature.
Can we officially submit it as an enhancement request?
Ah my latest comment on my comment about comments.
Reviews/Comments can also be used to Point out mistakes to eMusic (though I’m pretty sure nobody does anything about it.)
My latest comment: (posted only seconds ago)
in regards to the album Across The Broad Atlantic Artist: Various Artists – Shanachie Records Label: Shanachie Records / The Orchard
“Umm soooooooooooo not roots reggae
Yeah this is (as evidenced, before even listening to, by the album cover) Irish Folk music not the music of Jamaica or any other TROPICAL island .”
Yeah that’s right eMusic I called you out on your genre/style issues.