Maybe it's just me but....I have yet to hear a surf release that I thought was bad..I may like some styles more then others and some recordings/mixes also..a lot is so subjective ..must always give credit to anyone willing to put it down on disc

www.northofmalibu.com

kenposurf wrote:

Maybe it's just me but....I have yet to hear a surf
release that I thought was bad..I may like some styles
more then others and some recordings/mixes also..a lot
is so subjective ..must always give credit to anyone
willing to put it down on disc

I've got to disagree, George. I hear too many surf releases that I consider bad. I try to support as many bands on this forum as possible, and occasionally, I will dislike their CD/song/video. The most common of these are uninspired rehashes of traditional standards that have been done to death. To my ears this is Muzak: it's innocuous & not out of tune. But instead of being pleasant background music, it bugs me. Some are so poorly played, and/or recorded as to be unlistenable to me. Then there is music that I just don't like. But if it is well played, imaginative and creative, I don't consider it bad: just music that I don't like for some reason.

Bob

Well, if you go out and play music..no matter if you record it, play it live or even sell CDs through Mailorders, you will get a reaction...that's actually the point of playing in a band
So you gotta expect good and bad reviews...and maybe think about your music a little more, if everybody says it's boring or badly recorded.
On the other hand it would be good, if surf bands get of the corner and send Cds to Punk/Pop/Rock magazines/websites..could spread the music around.
What I don't get is the idea that Surf is a hobbyist GENRE...how can a genre be like that? There are professional surfbands (I'm in one by the way..) which tour, sell and record a lot and there are so many hobbyists in Punk/Blues/Rock..I guess it just depends on your goal, what YOU want to achieve with your music..not on the genre..I'd like to see more reviews of our CD, so if you want to review it, give me call!

What I want from a professional reviewer is enough information to know whether I'll like something. Siskel and Ebert were good for that, Ebert and his next partners weren't so good at it. I don't care whether they liked it, I want to know if I'll like it.

And a friend of mine who is a very recently published author said that a great weight had been lifted from him when he finally saw a negative review of his first book.

As for the standards, I really don't mind one or two on a CD. IF the band likes the tune enough, they're going to record it, and there's nothing wrong with playing songs you like, especially if it puts a little royalty back in the pocket of those who came before.

When everything is good, nothing is good.

The Exotics 1994-Current
The Chickenshack - www.wmse.org
www.thedoghouseflowers.com
www.uptownsavages.com

kenposurf wrote:

I see your point Robbie...maybe I need to listen to
more cd's?! Standards...on our new cd we mixed in
several standards with the originals but tried to add
our mark on them as well as being true to the spirt of
the song.

With all due respect George, 7 out of 13 is more than several. What was your thinking in including so many standards? I personally think it limits your sales potential amongst those who seek out surf albums. For $15 I'd like to hear more originals.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

Last edited: May 23, 2011 09:01:14

DannySnyder wrote:

kenposurf wrote:

I see your point Robbie...maybe I need to listen to
more cd's?! Standards...on our new cd we mixed in
several standards with the originals but tried to
add
our mark on them as well as being true to the spirt
of
the song.

With all due respect George, 7 out of 13 is more than
several. What was your thinking in including so many
standards? I personally think it limits your sales
potential amongst those who seek out surf albums. For
$15 I'd like to hear more originals.

Point taken..we tried to cover a bit of ground on this one..the track w/Memphis Charlie is in rotation on several channels that play a lot of Americana..also has been placed in 2 non surf films. Along w/ Man From Malta my hope is to break the cd out to a much wider audience who are not as familier with the the standards. Now getting sg101 members who have a zillion versions of Baja to check it out might be tough though most of the covers imho rock harder then most versions out there I digress That was the thought train anyway..we have another 12 or so songs orig and covers from these sessions but decided to go with the mix..thanks again for the input!

www.northofmalibu.com

Someone earlier brought up a very valid point. Do you review an album based on your own personal taste or based on the overall quality of the writing, recording etc. I can imagine this is tricky. They also pointed out that they try their best, even when giving a negative review, to explain themself well enough so that someone who might actually like the record would not be detoured.

I would imagine the best way to do this would be very much in the way you described. You don't like the Mermen. That is fair. If someone sent in a CD to be reviewed that was very derivitive of The Mermen then it would be quite easy to list your distaste. Then you would be leading people in either direction based on their own personal taste.

As for me, I am well known for being entirely too blunt with people. What few realize is how much I don't say. I will not give critique or advice unless I actually hear potential there. I told someone recently that they really shouldn't worry if I say something that appears negative. When they should worry is when I say nothing at all.

THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary.

www.thekbk.com
http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/
www.reverbnation.com/thekbk
www.facebook.com/thekbkal

Those with talent play-whose without become critics!

Last edited: May 23, 2011 10:57:30

elreydlp wrote:

Those with talent play-whose without become critics!

Professional critics maybe. The original intent of this thread (I believe) was directed towards peer review on this internet surf forum. There are two types of criticism, thumbs up/down recommendations and constructive criticisms. The former is only valuable in it's effect on sales, the latter is extremely important to the motivated musician. I'd like as much of that as possible from people with informed opinions. However, I don't necessarily see a need for it in a public setting.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

Last edited: May 23, 2011 11:24:09