September 7, 2007

Lord of Oats · Post by **Lord of Oats** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:31 pm

What is up with those crazy folks at Mazda? I haven't heard of a multi-belt setup on a car that recent. Someone I know has an '85 RX-7, and it's got all kinds of belts; then again, it's old. Then again, I've had 80's cars, and I've had nothing but serpentine systems. So I guess Mazda just likes to be weird. They are, after all, the people who thought rotary engines would be cool to put in cars. You drive one of those, and you go, "Man! I'm so excited that this car's engine doesn't use the Otto cycle! Or anything like it! I'm so glad it uses a different approach! That really makes me feel great! Too bad it's not really any more efficient or anything..."

When I get negative reviews, I immediately want to contest their legitimacy. So far, I haven't. There are other ways to deal. Like crying. Or writing another song. But I think I basically get pretty defensive about any reviews in a live situation, too.

"Dude, that sucked."
"Come on, it wasn't that bad..."

"Good job."
"No, actually, it wasn't. But thank you."

When I play live, feedback is so vague, it's just upsetting. On here, people are so nit-picky, it blows my mind.

fodroy · Post by **fodroy** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:17 pm

I never usually responded to comments about my song unless I disagreed with something that was said and wanted to make it never said. This doesn't include negative reviews. I like the idea of creating something and letting it exist without having to say much about it, letting it be something instead of making it something by talking about it. Sometimes I would respond to compliments by saying thank you or something. I never really get worked up about reviews. Sometimes I would get a little blah about negative reviews if they're long reviews and not one good thing is said. Negative reviews are easier to take when they're short. I like to feel like those who don't like it can just let it go instead of writing a long paragraph about not liking it. I do get pretty upset if the reviews say I suck instead of just saying that the song sucks. That didn't happen often.

Caravan Ray · Post by **Caravan Ray** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:47 pm

erik wrote:
If I played a song for people and they were all (immeditately or after the fact): "The singing is out of key, and the guitar tone is bad, etc...", I'd think they were ginormous assholes.

If I played a song for people and they were all (immeditately or after the fact): "The singing is out of key, and the guitar tone is bad, etc...", I'd think "I wonder why they thought 'The singing is out of key, and the guitar tone is bad, etc...' - I better do some more work on that one." Then if after reviewing and assessing the situation, I came to the conclusion that my voice and guitar were fine in my opinion - then I would disregard the profferred opinion, think they were ginormous assholes and propably not bother playing songs for those people again.

I find it very difficult to comprehend how people get pissed off by bad reviews. If you think I suck - I wanna know about it. I will then make my own decision as to whether I think you opinion is worth considering. I think my songs have gotten a lot better over the 3 years I have been here - and the main driver of that has been people telling me I suck. I think I suck a bit less now.

Hoblit · Post by **Hoblit** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:55 pm

I shrug off negative comments pretty easily. If its something legit I might post to verify it or even explain how I got there. If its something I didn't notice before, then I learn from it.

If it's just someone bein' a jerk, then I ignore it with a slight chuckle.

I don't take myself all that seriously.

IT's FRIDAY, got paid... going home to order pizza.

-Hoblit

Lord of Oats · Post by **Lord of Oats** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:56 pm

I don't get pissed. I just get hurt. I'm overly sensitive. And a lot of the advice just doesn't seem like it really has any validity. But that doesn't mean anyone should hold back with criticism. I'm here to make myself not only better, but more marketable.

Lord of Oats · Post by **Lord of Oats** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:58 pm

Hoblit wrote: IT's FRIDAY, got paid... going home to order pizza.

Pizza FTW. I heard a while ago that regular pizza consumption has some kind of statistical linkage to lower cancer rates.

And with that, I'm off to the gym.

Paco Del Stinko · Post by **Paco Del Stinko** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:43 pm

Spud wrote:However, ahem, it's been a while. Will have to do something about that soon.

Please do!

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:30 pm

I generally
a) Totally trust positive reviews no matter who wrote them (see note d for exceptions)
b) dislike negative reviews and feel defensive, but shrug off the urge to reply
c) check the tune by the person who gave the poor review, If I like it/it's good I tend to put much more stake in it
d) disregard negative reviews by quasi trolls - I don't put a lot of stake in DJ Big D*ck, for instance
e) get frustrated by reviews that focus on my keyboard patch when I think I wrote really good words (and similar issues).

Some initial thoughts anyway.

Today is friday - first week of school done, 39 to go!! Looking forward to watching tennis.

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:40 pm

Thanks all, I wondered how y'all approached/looked at/dealt with the reviewsabsurdity whilst spitting fire this morning.

No worries, Charles.

Going to try to do reviews, audio reviews with the songs playing underneath my commenting, tomorrow. Oy. Have a good weekend!

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:20 pm

Rabid Garfunkel wrote: Going to try to do reviews, audio reviews with the songs playing underneath my commenting, tomorrow. Oy. Have a good weekend!

Is that a first here? What a great fucking idea!1!!1!!!1!!
Damn, my wheels just started spinning, stand back. That would be an awesome weekly pod cast idea. You know, like Nivy's show. Reviews whilst the music is playing. Maybe stopping a song if it hit a really odd spot and comment on it, then continue on.
....wait, that would be one hell of a long show. But I'd listen in every week without fail. Do it Rabz!

Ross · Post by **Ross** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:36 pm

Billy's Little Trip wrote:
Rabid Garfunkel wrote: Going to try to do reviews, audio reviews with the songs playing underneath my commenting, tomorrow. Oy. Have a good weekend!
Is that a first here? What a great fucking idea!1!!1!!!1!!

Jim from Seattle did something like that, recording with his phone while he drove - I don't think the songs were playing in the background, though and I don't remember the fight. Maybe "Welcome to___?"

Looking forward to those Mr. Garfunkel.

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:45 pm

Edit: RDurand beat me to the history lesson.

I believe Jim of Seattle was the first to do audio reviews (recorded on his cell phone during his commute, IIRC), but yeah, I'd like to muck about with this new-fangled podcasting thingy that all the kids are doing these days

90 minutes of... fun, heh... but Mrs. Rabid wants to play too, so it may wind up more like a commentary track than actual, technical reviews. Not that my reviews were all that technical to begin with

.

We'll see how it comes off. And hell, it's got to be easier than transcribing our conversations for reviewage.

Billy's Little Trip · Fri Sep 07, 2007 10:11 pm

I'm looking forward to it, so you are now committed to doing this.

Paco Del Stinko · Post by **Paco Del Stinko** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 4:25 am

Fluffy did a spoken review once (that I'm aware of) when his hand or wrist was all messed up. I don't think he played all the songs, or in their entirety, but it was a pretty cool presentation. Can't remember the fight, though. Was it the Bad Cat fight?

Edit: Yes, it was Bad Cat. Apparently, the review has since been eaten by a giant bug. http://beesbuzz.biz/~fluffy/bad_cat_reviews.mp3

sausage boy · Post by **sausage boy** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:42 am

casting my mind back, I can't really recall anything I would call a good review. I get people who say "That was nice. I liked it". But thats not a review, thats an affirmation. I either get that, or a paragraph that says

1. I suck because (insert technical mumbo jumbo)
2. I am a dick because (insert social mumbo jumbo)
3. I suck dicks (insert cock).

Which is fair enough, and it has helped me grow into the well adjusted and respected elder member of this community that I am. I think I am mostly just tolerated, now. Like some weird Uncle or something. Uncle Sausage.

In other news, I totally ran out of booze today. I had guitar hero out, Legs was at a party, but Mr J Daniels wasn't coming to play. Preparation is the key!

wages · Post by **wages** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:32 am

Billy's Little Trip wrote:
Rabid Garfunkel wrote: Going to try to do reviews, audio reviews with the songs playing underneath my commenting, tomorrow. Oy. Have a good weekend!
Is that a first here? What a great fucking idea!1!!1!!!1!!
Damn, my wheels just started spinning, stand back. That would be an awesome weekly pod cast idea. You know, like Nivy's show. Reviews whilst the music is playing. Maybe stopping a song if it hit a really odd spot and comment on it, then continue on.
....wait, that would be one hell of a long show. But I'd listen in every week without fail. Do it Rabz!

I would listen to an audio review at least once (that is, at least the first time you did it), but I don't know if I would have time to commit to listening to everyone's review at once. Perhaps you could do each review separately? Or maybe that's what you had in mind.

I think if I did audio reviews, I would be a lot more critical yet boring. Typing gives me a chance to think and be creative...something I can't do "on the spot".

Bring it!

king_arthur · Post by **king_arthur** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:16 am

Personally, I prefer the written reviews because I can just copy and paste them into my file of comments on my song; audio reviews, I'm going to have to type the comments into the file. Not to discourage trying something new, though. I think Jim of Seattle also did some audio reviews a while back, too.

Also, the reason I don't do reviews more often is that it's tough sometimes finding time to just listen to the songs. Audio reviews would be competing for my "listening to songfight related stuff" time, and I'd rather spend that time listening to songs (or writing and recording them).

Charles

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:49 am

Wages wrote:
Billy's Little Trip wrote:
Rabid Garfunkel wrote: Going to try to do reviews, audio reviews with the songs playing underneath my commenting, tomorrow. Oy. Have a good weekend!
Is that a first here? What a great fucking idea!1!!1!!!1!!
Damn, my wheels just started spinning, stand back. That would be an awesome weekly pod cast idea. You know, like Nivy's show. Reviews whilst the music is playing. Maybe stopping a song if it hit a really odd spot and comment on it, then continue on.
....wait, that would be one hell of a long show. But I'd listen in every week without fail. Do it Rabz!
I would listen to an audio review at least once (that is, at least the first time you did it), but I don't know if I would have time to commit to listening to everyone's review at once. Perhaps you could do each review separately? Or maybe that's what you had in mind.

I think if I did audio reviews, I would be a lot more critical yet boring. Typing gives me a chance to think and be creative...something I can't do "on the spot".

Bring it!

I think a weekly SF review pod cast, if done right, could be a great show.

1. The PJ would have to pre review a bit of each song and have some notes to have some comments ready to go.

2. If a song just sucks ass from the get, he needs to move on, or skip to the middle, if it's still sucking, skip to the outro. Sometime a bad song might have some little part that it cool.

3. Maybe have a call in guest reviewer each week. Like maybe after pre reviewing the songs, pick your top 5 favs and have one of those 5 pre record a review of his song with the PJ and the PJ can do a Q&A with the artist.

4. Come up with some goofy sound FX to go with your rating system, like, moo, bark, fart, explosions, laughing, etc. It would be funny at the end of the song if the PJ says, "ok, on my 1 through 5 rating, 5 being best, I give this song a 2" *then hit the MOO button*

The show would evolve as it goes on. If I knew how to do all this computery pod junk, I'd be up for making a weekly show.

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:12 am

king_arthur wrote:Personally, I prefer the written reviews because I can just copy and paste them into my file of comments on my song; audio reviews, I'm going to have to type the comments into the file.

You could also D/L the section of the review to add to your file of comments. *taps finger on side of head*

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:10 am

Billy's Little Trip wrote:4. Come up with some goofy sound FX to go with your rating system, like, moo, bark, fart, explosions, laughing, etc. It would be funny at the end of the song if the PJ says, "ok, on my 1 through 5 rating, 5 being best, I give this song a 2" *then hit the MOO button*

I need an old priest and a young priest! Too much Rick Dees for you, young man

BTW, are Kevin & Bean still on the air down there?

Ugh, so hungover. Just right for reviewing, heh. Seriously, if you like red wines, Sicilia Rosso from the Colosi winery is affordable (±$9 us) and damned tasty.

wages · Post by **wages** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:24 am

Billy's Little Trip wrote:I think a weekly SF review pod cast, if done right, could be a great show.

1. The PJ would have to pre review a bit of each song and have some notes to have some comments ready to go.

2. If a song just sucks ass from the get, he needs to move on, or skip to the middle, if it's still sucking, skip to the outro. Sometime a bad song might have some little part that it cool.

3. Maybe have a call in guest reviewer each week. Like maybe after pre reviewing the songs, pick your top 5 favs and have one of those 5 pre record a review of his song with the PJ and the PJ can do a Q&A with the artist.

4. Come up with some goofy sound FX to go with your rating system, like, moo, bark, fart, explosions, laughing, etc. It would be funny at the end of the song if the PJ says, "ok, on my 1 through 5 rating, 5 being best, I give this song a 2" *then hit the MOO button*

The show would evolve as it goes on. If I knew how to do all this computery pod junk, I'd be up for making a weekly show.

I'd give [listening to] it a shot. Course, I don't have the time to make such a show, but I would have time to listen. It would also make great content for songfight.NET.

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:24 pm

Rabid Garfunkel wrote:
Billy's Little Trip wrote:4. Come up with some goofy sound FX to go with your rating system, like, moo, bark, fart, explosions, laughing, etc. It would be funny at the end of the song if the PJ says, "ok, on my 1 through 5 rating, 5 being best, I give this song a 2" *then hit the MOO button*
I need an old priest and a young priest! Too much Rick Dees for you, young man

BTW, are Kevin & Bean still on the air down there?

Ugh, so hungover. Just right for reviewing, heh. Seriously, if you like red wines, Sicilia Rosso from the Colosi winery is affordable (±$9 us) and damned tasty.

Yeah, Kevin and Bean are still at it. I never listen to Rick Deez. But I do love the crazy morning show stuff. Mark and Brian have been my morning show since they started, as well as Kevin and Bean.

Phil, yes, SF.net for sure. But they don't seem to be interested in what the "public" wants. j/k