[mplpost] Reviews Blues

[Jory Nash]

One of the greatest (and, depending on your perspective, worst) things about music is the variety of tastes among the populace. Even albums that are close to universally lauded will have its detractors. It's a fact of life, and if you make music that you present to the public you must be ready for the arrows AND the accolades.

Negative reviews hurt, but one must always look at the source of the review: Does the reviewer generally like the style of music I like? Do they often review Celtic (for example) music positively and your pop-folk (for example) negative review is written from the perspective of one who wishes it were more Celtic-like? Even if the reviewer generally likes the kind of music you do, and you had thought that he/she would like your stuff but didn't
shouldn't signify the end of your world. Think of all the CD's (or movies, or books) that you loved but might have skipped based on your first reading a negative review of it. Or vice versa: a glowing review of an album you dislike probably will not make you like that album any more.

Reviewers also often only get to hear an album a few times before committing their opinions to paper (or internet, in Lynn's case). There are many albums that take more than a few listens to sink in. We're not making pop music here, and a couple listens might not be enough to get the nuances of your work.

Ultimately though, it all boils down to (for me), the confidence you feel in your own work. Ayn Rand's character Roark in the lengthy and tedious (for me) book The Fountainhead built buildings that people used but he cared not if they used them or liked them: He designed them for the pleasure it gave him to design. In music, be happy with your own work first and foremost. Appreciate if other people dig your stuff too, but do not change your
vision simply to appease a reviewer's taste. You are selling your art short and are also chasing a musical tail. And in no uncertain terms should you get into a war of words with those who are not taken with your art. It is more productive to spend your time seeking other who do enjoy what you do.

As for the fact that a review was written by someone who was not specifically targeted for review by you, it is unfortunate but a by-product of the professional life. Once you make music and sell it to the public your music is open to review by anyone. In no way should you emotionally be bound by their interpretation of it.

I like Lynn and I like her music.
Jory Nash
http://www.jorynash.com

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