So, let’s take a breather, folks, and hang on a minute…
Consider the voice of reason.
I wanted to type a few words over some recent hullabaloo (that word will always be hi-larious to me) about the new Lostprophets’ album, Weapons. Some people love it, some people hate it, some people are just…’meh?!’ (Is that even a word or an emotional expression?)
Okay.
I got that.
No problem.
However, I just wanted alls ya’ll to just hang on a minute and think about what you’re saying. Let’s think about things from another perspective.
Ready?
Go.
At the end of the day, everyone’s opinion is subjective. Whatever one reviewer writes is one thing and whatever another reviewer writes is another. As a journalist, and especially as a music/film/quoi-ever critic/reviewer, it’s their responsibility and job to write their opinion. So, how can people (and more than likely they’re not even in that industry, for one thing) go and bash the reviewer for writing what’s on their mind and doing their job? They’re not harming anyone or doing anything wrong..they’re just going by their First Amendment right and writing an opinion.
And, what’s one way to write an opinion, world?
That’s right (ding, ding, ding!)...you base it off of what you already know —- you do a little Venn diagramming..a little compare and contrasting…a little, well, hmm..what does this sound like? I like the tune, but it reminds me of…
Sometimes you have to think outside the box or broaden your own horizons so you can make a solid opinion.Consider that. Further, a reviewer cannot just write ‘it was good, the end’ or ‘it was bad, le fin..’ they need to put more meat on the article’s bones and even be a bit persuasive and of course, descriptive. E.g. Song A was like this…Song B is like that…Song C is neither A or B..but instead, new category, D.
You following this?
Good.
Now, let’s continue…on the topic of music, who is anyone to say Lostprophets’ or well, any musical artist’s album is a bad album? Have you even listened tothe whole album and if so, what are you basing your opinions off of? I think it’s really hard to judge whether an album is good or bad, because I think a fan or an un-fan, in this case, should really consider all of the characteristics that define a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ album. Further, it takes a lot of work to make an album - think of the production quality, the sound, the layers of music, the extra (or sometimes artist’s don’t want it) layers of vocal tracks..etc, etc, etc…I think most folks just base their opinions on what they already know (ring a bell, anyone?) and compare it to an artist’s previous work…without taking into consideration the hard work and effort it may have taken to create that new piece of art…that new piece to a puzzle. Next time, take this concept into consideration and step back and look at what you’re saying or typing..what are you really basing your opinions off, of? Is it production, or is it the tunes or lyrics that you dislike? I think I would at least give any album by any artist at least one or two stars just for putting it out there…maybe I may not like the tune, lyrics, concept, theme, etc…but I would not go and give an album zero or negative stars without really looking at said album from all angles.
Lastly, I also wanted to discuss this idea of an artist’s craft..it seems to be so many fans (or un-fans, now), are so particular about an artist “sticking to their roots” (whatever that means) and having the same type of song, same genre of music, same lyrical style, etc…
Excuse me? At the end of the day, I think it’s up to the artist on what they want to do…and as long as they stick to their story and honestly explain what they’re doing, we’re all good over here. Maybe I may not be happy with the direction an artist may go in, or I do not like the new tunes, as much of even at all, but at least, I think, any person, be it a fan or un-fan, should respect an artist for the work they do and comprehend that sometimes..lo, and behold, world, …people change. styles change. Identities even change. Feelings, thoughts, influences, and ideas change. You don’t wear the same clothes you wore as a child, do you?
Didn’t think so.
People grow and evolve…specifically, artists grow and evolve.... They want to try new things and make new sounds/ideas..maybe they have been done before or maybe they haven’t..the point is, as an artist, you are always expanding your possibilities and using your imagination and other parts of the brain the non-artists don’t use. As a fan or an un-fan, now, of someone’s work, try to understand this concept. Comprehend the fact that not everything can always be the same…such is life. Try to be more open-minded - that’s cool you don’t like something, I personally don’t care either way, but at least respect the artist and their craft..more than likely, it is not just their job, but they are, in the end, people, too, and deserve, in most cases, at least, your respect as humans and artists.
So, here are the three takeaways from this little posty post:
1. Don’t judge or say bad things about a music review or any artsy type of review…it’s a reviewer’s job, to, um, review, and they’re going to compare and contrast in order to write their article. Simple as that - no if’s, ands, or buts are necessary. Reviewers have to be descriptive and sometimes, even, persuasive sounding to get their point across. It’s not your job to quickly react and make a big fuss…just read it, sit back, and think. Let it sink in, if you have to.
2. Understand that everyone has their own opinion, at the end of the day, a review, other ‘fans’ ’ opinions’ are all subjective..you cant judge someone on what they think, can you? Consider it.
3. Specifically, referring to music, unless you really hate every single song or a good portion of songs on an album (be it, whatever the reason and please, come up with a good one), you can’t really say an album is good or bad. There is always at least one positive. Look for that positive. How would you feel if someone bashed something you wrote, said, typed, or worked really hard for and then you were ridiculed?
4. Finally, at the end of the day, there’s always going to be haters and lovers of an artist’s work. That’s just human nature…some love to hate, some hate to love, some just love, some just hate, some are just not so sure…but, who cares what they say? As an artist, just follow your heart and your own morals, and do what you want to do…despite any criticism or naysayers, if you told the world the story you wanted to tell, and even just one other person heard it, how awesome is that?
Be yourself, be who you want to be, be your own artist.
Always think before you speak and think before you act. And if you HAVE to judge someone’s work, think before that, too — consider all perspectives rationally before reacting.
Just…hang on a minute.
Thank you!
Best,
M :)
