In many arts and works the criticism is an important part of feedback. People need to know what others like on their work so they can keep it, and what they don’t like, so they can change it.
But somehow, the music seems to be absent from that. It’s presented as a matter of personal taste, criticism is unwelcomed, author’s inspiration is holy, and so on. Recently, I have discovered that many of my favorite musicians have published their albums. Unfortunately, almost all of them suffered a great drop in quality. Well, perhaps not in quality, but in inspiration. Their previous album(s) were mindblowing, but their new ones are shallow, cheesy, kitshy, lame, boring, and generally, uninspired. The amount of inspiration on the album would be enough for 2-3 extraordinarily good tracks, but it’s mostly wasted.

What I do require in all the music I need is melody. In my opinion, melody is the most important thing in music and without that, it may be like a beautiful, but empty gift box. I think that with my experience I can recognize if a music is just shallow, or if it’s too deep to soak in, at the moment. I have come to like some of the weirdest pieces of music, rather repulsive on the first several listenings.
So I can not understand for what mysterious reason have these musicians abandoned their greatest melodical abilities and got satisfied with melodies that would be suitable for a fairy tale cartoon for pre-school children, not for a psychedelic music.
(Gamma Goblins exempted, the tune there is meant as creepy, I know)

I don’t want to tell any names to not get bitchslapped, but the names are very well known. One of the few artists that didn’t disappoint me is Solar Fields, album Movements. But all the more beaty and vibey stuff turned out as weak. Some pieces are nice, maybe even good, but NOT mindblowing as the previous albums were. (except of one or two tracks on the album at most)

So what should I do? Let’s say: “Dear mr. Nomis, please make make all your band members go on a strictly cheese-free diet, because that music is so cheesy :( If you want, I can make graphs of goodness per second for every track! You’ll see the passages that are weak.”

While it can be important for artists of all kinds to get feedback on their work, shouldn’t
the artist in the end choose whatever musical direction he or she wants instead of making music that “the fans want”? It’s a bit like a double-edged sword, since on one hand the fans want more of what they already like, but at the same time they want the artist to evolve and not get stuck making the same track over and over again. Every time an artist does something different he will alienate some fans but also gain new fans. Infected Mushroom is a good example of this in the psytrance scene. Personally I love the first three albums, but their later output isn’t my cup of tea. At the same time I realise that even if their music doesn’t blow my mind anymore, I can perfectly understand if it blows other people’s minds. I accept that they have moved on, and instead of complaining that it’s not as good as it used to be, I’ve moved on too. I’d rather spend my time enjoying the music that I do like, because life’s too short.

I agree that it’s hard to criticise music (or any other art form) in an objective way (and is there really a point?). The way I see it music is about evoking emotions in the listener and therefore it will always be a very subjective matter. People can say what they want about a piece of music, but at the end of the day music is a matter of personal taste and musical preference. There is no such thing as good music or bad music, there’s only music and you either like it or you don’t.

Shroomy - 06 November 2009 11:55 PM

While it can be important for artists of all kinds to get feedback on their work, shouldn’t
the artist in the end choose whatever musical direction he or she wants instead of making music that “the fans want”? It’s a bit like a double-edged sword, since on one hand the fans want more of what they already like, but at the same time they want the artist to evolve and not get stuck making the same track over and over again. Every time an artist does something different he will alienate some fans but also gain new fans. Infected Mushroom is a good example of this in the psytrance scene. Personally I love the first three albums, but their later output isn’t my cup of tea. At the same time I realise that even if their music doesn’t blow my mind anymore, I can perfectly understand if it blows other people’s minds. I accept that they have moved on, and instead of complaining that it’s not as good as it used to be, I’ve moved on too. I’d rather spend my time enjoying the music that I do like, because life’s too short.

I agree that it’s hard to criticise music (or any other art form) in an objective way (and is there really a point?). The way I see it music is about evoking emotions in the listener and therefore it will always be a very subjective matter. People can say what they want about a piece of music, but at the end of the day music is a matter of personal taste and musical preference. There is no such thing as good music or bad music, there’s only music and you either like it or you don’t.

That’s it!
Totally agree about Infected Mushroom music! (the gathering and classical mushroom are the good albums in my opinion).

Personally I like constructive criticiscm on the technical and production side. The tune, sounds I choose are my choice so fuck it if you don’t like that. I want to learn more on how to get better quality in my producing. Tips and tricks are always welcomed in that department.
If I make a tune. It’s usually on how my emotions are at that time. Isn’t that what making music is about at the core? An expression of the artist. Here I agree with Shroomy’s point.

DiMuTech - 07 November 2009 12:14 AM

Personally I like constructive criticiscm on the technical and production side. The tune, sounds I choose are my choice so fuck it if you don’t like that. I want to learn more on how to get better quality in my producing. Tips and tricks are always welcomed in that department.

Good point. I just want to add that the technical/production side of making music might be the only aspect that can be criticised in a constructive (objective) way. But there is also the thing that production techniques and the technical quality of the music itself often varies with genre, so that in extreme cases it might be good to sound bad. Most genres have a “right” way of doing things arrangement/production/sound wise, but in art rules are meant to be broken or the art would never progress.

Usually when I listen to music I tend to assess it in the following areas which I apply to any style of music:

A. Originality of it.
B. Technical ability.
C. Production quality.
D. Overall musical enjoyment.
E. Longevity.

‘E’ is usually the tough one as an album can be stunning in all areas but after a certain ammount of listening I may raely go back to it - but this doesn’t mean it’s bad if that makes sense. Very few albums fall into the ‘E’ category.

Sega - 07 November 2009 12:10 AM

Shroomy - 06 November 2009 11:55 PM

While it can be important for artists of all kinds to get feedback on their work, shouldn’t
the artist in the end choose whatever musical direction he or she wants instead of making music that “the fans want”? It’s a bit like a double-edged sword, since on one hand the fans want more of what they already like, but at the same time they want the artist to evolve and not get stuck making the same track over and over again. Every time an artist does something different he will alienate some fans but also gain new fans. Infected Mushroom is a good example of this in the psytrance scene. Personally I love the first three albums, but their later output isn’t my cup of tea. At the same time I realise that even if their music doesn’t blow my mind anymore, I can perfectly understand if it blows other people’s minds. I accept that they have moved on, and instead of complaining that it’s not as good as it used to be, I’ve moved on too. I’d rather spend my time enjoying the music that I do like, because life’s too short.

I agree that it’s hard to criticise music (or any other art form) in an objective way (and is there really a point?). The way I see it music is about evoking emotions in the listener and therefore it will always be a very subjective matter. People can say what they want about a piece of music, but at the end of the day music is a matter of personal taste and musical preference. There is no such thing as good music or bad music, there’s only music and you either like it or you don’t.

That’s it!
Totally agree about Infected Mushroom music! (the gathering and classical mushroom are the good albums in my opinion).

I was thinking the same thing when I read that.

When I sit down to make a piece of music, the only person I’m trying to please is myself. It never occurs to me to consider the opinions of others.

If, when I’m finished, some other people like it too then I’m very happy for them. I hope it gives them as much pleasure as it gives me.

But those who don’t like it don’t matter to me: I’m happy for them to reject it and move on. As they decide it isn’t for them, so others come along and find they like it better than what came before.

I think all art criticism is a vain and pointless pursuit. Those that criticise art do so out of frustration that they are unable to express themselves adequately.

Ott - 07 November 2009 02:34 PM

When I sit down to make a piece of music, the only person I’m trying to please is myself. It never occurs to me to consider the opinions of others.

If, when I’m finished, some other people like it too then I’m very happy for them. I hope it gives them as much pleasure as it gives me.

But those who don’t like it don’t matter to me: I’m happy for them to reject it and move on. As they decide it isn’t for them, so others come along and find they like it better than what came before.

I think all art criticism is a vain and pointless pursuit. Those that criticise art do so out of frustration that they are unable to express themselves adequately.

It’s a good thing that what pleases you also pleases me… greatly (at least good for me) . 

Thank you for Hallucinogen in Dub, Blumenkraft, Skylon, and all of your other work (the track on Mana Medicine for example).

Neuro - 07 November 2009 02:45 PM

Thank you for Hallucinogen in Dub, Blumenkraft, Skylon, and all of your other work (the track on Mana Medicine for example).

You’re very welcome. I hope you like the one I just started recording too.

Obviously if you don’t like it you can go fuck yourself.

Ott - 07 November 2009 03:00 PM

Neuro - 07 November 2009 02:45 PM

Thank you for Hallucinogen in Dub, Blumenkraft, Skylon, and all of your other work (the track on Mana Medicine for example).

You’re very welcome. I hope you like the one I just started recording too.

Obviously if you don’t like it you can go fuck yourself.

I’ll buy it.

Ott - 07 November 2009 03:00 PM

Obviously if you don’t like it you can go fuck yourself.

There will be no self-fucking so long as you’re around… 

Luminon - 06 November 2009 07:57 PM

In many arts and works the criticism is an important part of feedback. People need to know what others like on their work so they can keep it, and what they don’t like, so they can change it.

Really? Which forms of art work like that?

Here’s some constructive critiscism; everyone at twisted deserve a big wet kiss on their cheek.

I think as an artist one probably reaches a level where critiscism matters less and less once you know yourself you’ve made something stand out. Just look at Infected Mushroom, they stopped caring altogether! Good for them.

Ott - 07 November 2009 03:00 PM

Obviously if you don’t like it you can go fuck yourself.

I love HiD and Blumenkraft, but I’m not that keen on Skylon. Should I go and fuck myself?

Mark - 08 November 2009 02:10 AM

Ott - 07 November 2009 03:00 PM

Obviously if you don’t like it you can go fuck yourself.

I love HiD and Blumenkraft, but I’m not that keen on Skylon. Should I go and fuck myself?