First the rant. Star ratings without comments on our uploads for the compilations and for backing tracks are stupid. They don’t help potential listeners and they don’t help the creator of the upload.

They don’t help potential listeners: If there is a 1- or 2-star rating on an upload, will it keep you from listening? We probably all listen to all the compilation uploads. They don’t help the creator: why did someone give 3 stars? What did they not like? If I agreed with their assessment, I might try something different with my next recording. That would be useful.

I’ve uploaded many backing tracks here. Most have received neither star ratings nor comments, though I’ve had a few 4- and 5-star ratings and some favorable comments, which I appreciate. For my upload of a backing track to Rumble, I received 2 stars. WTF? The backing track was a pretty faithful recreation of the original, minus the rhythm guitar. What did that reviewer find so wrong? I might have learned something if they had commented.

Now the request. For the 2023 compilation, I uploaded my version of Catalina by Jon and the Nightriders. After a couple of days I received a 3-star rating, with no comment. I request that whoever left the 3-star rating either give his reason here or PM me.

Thanks.

If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.

I don't really like the stars either. Comments are always so much more insightful. It's pretty well documented that like buttons and post ratings are a net negative. Not for the forum, for the users. As an artist it doesn't help at all. We want to know the human reaction, which is not a number. We want to know specifics. For example, the tone of the snare drum and drums in general, the guitar tones, the mix, the chords and melody, the speed, the timbre, the novelty, the authenticity, the vibe, what it reminded you of, any mental images conjured, did your body react physically, etc.

I would love to discuss music specifics, but people seem to get super defensive and stop being in the mood to discuss when anything critical is pointed out. I ran into this one and I went and rated each song on an SG101 comp. Dude wanted to know why I gave the rating I did and I explained it and that ended the discussion. It should have continued even to today, but it didn't. People are just too sensitive. I would have been more than happy to share exactly why I thought the way I thought, and perhaps build some sort of friendship that ended in positive change.

I think what your point is is that more discussion is infinitely better than simple ratings, is that about the size of it? It's a beautiful thought. To me, one of the greatest strengths of this site is the fact that the code is not updated! We do not need like buttons or any of that shit.

Daniel Deathtide

I love Danny’s mindset. It is one I strive for too. I’ve found Rick Rubins book from last year, “The Creative Act”, to be a helpful resource in that pursuit. I am attaching a great introduction/summary video, however, I highly recommend spending the $18 or so to buy a physical copy of the book. There is something about a hard copy to sit with, away from a computer or phone (read: distractions). In my own experience, best first thing in the morning, preceded by nothing but the preparation of a cup of coffee to consume with a few pages of the book itself. Your ritual may vary.

Fady

El Mirage @ ReverbNation

Thanks for the comments.

Danny, I also play for my own enjoyment and also the mental and physical challenge (I’m a fair bit older than you). I upload songs for the compilations because it gives me the chance to try playing a song well, and it gives me a chance to work on mixing. I suppose I shouldn’t care what other people think of my work if I’m happy enough with it. It's good to receive a 4- or 5-star rating or a positive comment, and I’d honestly be happy for a negative COMMENT if it gave me something I could work on improving. It just gripes me that someone does a ‘drive-by’ 1- to 3-star rating without bothering to say what the perceived issues were.

DeathTide, yes, discussions are much better than ratings. If not discussion, at least a useful comment.

Brian, I’m all for getting rid of the stars on uploads. If you get rid of stars, people can still leave a ‘star rating.’ In the comments, they can say ‘I give your song 2 stars.’ But in that case the anonymity is gone. That would be a good thing, I think.

If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.

That might have been me, I thought clicking on the stars icon would take me to a different screen where I could choose it, it also doesn’t let me change it. My bad! But just goes to show how things like these are often just human error, I think the song is great. 5 stars to you Mr. IDK!

-Zanti

Instagram:

My IG

Combo Tezeta IG

Thanks. I shouldn't let these things bother me, but they do.

If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.