I'm in the nice position where I don't really HAVE to review anything, just air the promos I get for my show. You could consider my review to be reflected in how many times it gets played, but sometimes I'll drop a word on my blog or in this forum. And when I do, it's something that I like. I don't usually feel the urge to review a bad album and by withholding my opinion both on air and online I usually consider that my thanks for sending me a promo. And there is bad stuff; I get sent a lot of stuff that is almost frustratingly bad, as I care about the quality of my show and a carelessly recorded cover of "Walk Don't Run" can really stick out, but every promo gets played at least once

But for those that are sent music for review, I do think negative reviews should exist. This doesn't spell doom for a band, hopefully a discerning reader knows who they can trust. I know that, for instance, Brandonio or SurferJoeMusic/Lorenzo tend to like the same groups I do so I'll look into a simple namedrop, I know that a Phil Dirt review means nothing to me, and The Continental are worth reading and checking out based on the words, rather than the stars. These aren't because of the quality of the reviews, it's just that that's where my tastes lie

Storm Surge of Reverb: Surf & Instro Radio

kenposurf wrote:

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!

I was surprised to see so many covers. North of Malibu's originals rock pretty hard - lots of edge and heavy guitar, even with a clean sound. It's like they're dragging surf music kicking and screaming into the '70s... Their covers are fine, and I'm really glad that they went out of their way to rough 'em up a bit. They made the cover songs sound like something that they would have written. In other words, they put their own unique stylings into the cover songs. George is right about reaching a different audience with this CD. They likely will.

Ted James
Deep Eddy Records http://www.deepeddy.net
The Nematoads http://www.nematoads.com

DannySnyder wrote:

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.

Good point Danny, and yes, I was refering to "professional" critics. I respect and admire anyone who produces something original. I missed the call when creative genes were handed out.
So much that passes as criticism-constructive or not; is merely personal preference.

kenposurf wrote:

RobbieReverb wrote:

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.

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.

I'm not against standards, George. I just don't want to hear a whole CD of standards that are pale imitations of the originals. In fact I absolutely love standards that are done in creative ways, with the bands own "stamp" on them. Pollo Del Mar is an example of a band that does great, imaginative
covers. Nearly everybody pays homage to their roots with their music, and that's great. You guys do some clever things: different arrangements, unusual tunes ("She Said She Said"), you put your own stamp on many of the standards, and you do your own originals. Personally, I'd like to hear more originals and unusual stuff from North of Malibu. I haven't heard the new CD yet, but I'll give it a shot. From what Ted said about it, it sounds like a step forward for the band.

Bob

Last edited: May 24, 2011 08:00:54

I believe Dave played Don't Worry Baby with the 'Verb back in 2005 at the Lava Lounge, I wasn't there but I seem to remember it from a cassette that was recorded of that evening. Great song and he did a real good job of it there! Done by Jon and the Nightriders as well, if I'm not mistaken. I now presume Dave was the lead guitarist on that track(although I kind of always felt that way due to playing style).

JakeDobner wrote:

I believe Dave played Don't Worry Baby with the 'Verb
back in 2005 at the Lava Lounge, I wasn't there but I
seem to remember it from a cassette that was recorded
of that evening. Great song and he did a real good job
of it there! Done by Jon and the Nightriders as well,
if I'm not mistaken. I now presume Dave was the lead
guitarist on that track(although I kind of always felt
that way due to playing style).

Yes, Jon & the Nightriders did play that song. I heard them do it way, way, way back in 1997 on that ill-fated Surfari tour (my old band Squid Vicious took part in that tour as did many other bands). Dave Wronski was indeed there. Dusty wasn't because he was already on tour with another band. Jeff Utterback sat in for him. Funny how I can remember all of these little details.

Ted James
Deep Eddy Records http://www.deepeddy.net
The Nematoads http://www.nematoads.com

Lots of great input here. My conclusion, after reading all the posts, is that SG101 isn't the place for negative reviews. We are too much a family, and you don't tell Grandma that her fruitcake is awful when she's excited about Christmas.

As a consumer of reviews, I'm more interested in peoples' likes than dislikes. "I love the new record from Band A" from a trusted source is likely to get me to look at it.

OTOH, if that same person pans a record, but somebody else whose opinion I value does like it, there's still a chance I may.

I guess what I'm saying is I'd rather hear recommendations, and do the filtering myself than hear about what people don't like.

Steve

Steve wrote:

Lots of great input here. My conclusion, after
reading all the posts, is that SG101 isn't the place
for negative reviews. We are too much a family, and you
don't tell Grandma that her fruitcake is awful when
she's excited about Christmas.

As a consumer of reviews, I'm more interested in
peoples' likes than dislikes. "I love the new record
from Band A" from a trusted source is likely to get me
to look at it.

OTOH, if that same person pans a record, but somebody
else whose opinion I value does like it, there's
still a chance I may.

I guess what I'm saying is I'd rather hear
recommendations, and do the filtering myself than hear
about what people don't like.

Steve

That's why it's helpful if you can listen before you buy. CDBaby is great for that, as are the digital retailers. I try to post as many samples as I can for the CDs I sell. Sometimes it takes awhile, though.

Ted James
Deep Eddy Records http://www.deepeddy.net
The Nematoads http://www.nematoads.com

Brian wrote:

On the other hand, the
poll is currently
showing people think honest reviews are desirable.

I think people want honest reviews, but nobody wants to be the guy who has to tell someone they suck.

Hot Summer Comes Again!
Let's Go Beach! Let's Go Beach!

I'm more like, "wouldn't want to say something that might cause some band to loose a potential sale". (Or make an enemy.) I'm not a "peer" though, and don't presume that my opinion would make a difference in the long run. Is this thread still defined as just bands reviewing other bands?

I think that if done with some degree of sensitivity (not telling someone they suck) more reviews would only be a good thing, as it would hopefully mean more threads where surf music is actually being discussed. I know that I have some opinions that go against the majority of what seems to be popular here. I have been privy to some other comments "off the record" regarding what some really think of certain bands here that has really surprised me--because those criticisms are never raised on the forum. Maybe they shouldn't be. I still am not sure if it would be a good thing.

For me, ideally someone like say, Warren (just because of his knowledge and critical ability, and isn't in a band) would have a separate site for reviews would be a springboard for discussion here and people might not be as hesitant to say why they agree or disagree.