[mplpost] Reviews Blues

[Glen Reid]

----- Original Message -----
From: Jory Nash <nash@globalserve.net>
To: <maplepost@icomm.ca>
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: [mplpost] Reviews Blues


> 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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