General Music Chat

Most critics derive their self-worth from bringing other people down.
They are energy-sucking vampires to be avoided.
Don’t give in to their advice - most people want you to succeed

Critics perform a service without which artists and others would ply their craft unchecked and unabated. For example, I always read several reviews of a movie before I pay money to see it. Why? Because the movie makers have the money and skill to market their products to people who essentially don't know any better. Are the reviews always right? Of course not, but that's why you must read several of them. The same goes for music; without a review to go on you could waste a lot of time and money on worthless music. It helps to read a particular critic's reviews regularly so that you will understand where they're coming from.

I've seen some critics give good reviews for people who were their friends. And also slap people in the face whom they didn't like. I'm just talking about music reviewers of course, but I'm sure this applies to all "critics" i.e. slouches.

I'm not thinking of anyone here, guys . . .
Nahh, nothing in particular brought me to post this . . .
.
I wasn't thinking of critics who actually know what they're talking about, nor the 'professionals' . . .
I was thinking about unsolicited advice from 'know-it-alls.'
.
Just . . .
I was thinking of times when I was sitting in an audience, listening to some cruel remarks.
.
I get out a lot; and I hear a lot of beginners & mid-level musicians.
(I know that many folks here rarely get out, so they may not have ever seen these jerks at all).
.
Sometimes these kinds of critics have just been drinking, or they just prefer a different style of music; - and are just looking for a reason to pick on someone, to try to humilate them, or something.
. . . looking for an argument, maybe; dunno.
Don't care, either . . .
.
I'm talking about 'armchair generals' - those guys who didn't have a clue about what they're saying, yet act like experts.
We've all seen them and heard them, eh?
You know the type - they're so arrogant that you just want to 'whack!' them upside the head an tell them to shut the f up!
Heh . . .
Kinda like the guy in the movies who sits behind you, putting his feet on your seat and thumping it. (when that happens to me, I tell them to knock it off. If it happens again, I stand up, face them, and yell at them.)
.
Those kindsa people piss me off, that's all.

I've seen some critics give good reviews for people who were their friends. And also slap people in the face whom they didn't like. I'm just talking about music reviewers of course, but I'm sure this applies to all "critics" i.e. slouches.

.
Yep.
.
You get the idea . . .

I'm not thinking of anyone here, guys . . .
Nahh, nothing in particular brought me to post this . . .
.
I wasn't thinking of critics who actually know what they're talking about, nor the 'professionals' . . .
I was thinking about unsolicited advice from 'know-it-alls.'
.
Just . . .
I was thinking of times when I was sitting in an audience, listening to some cruel remarks.
.
I get out a lot; and I hear a lot of beginners & mid-level musicians.
(I know that many folks here rarely get out, so they may not have ever seen these jerks at all).
.
Sometimes these kinds of critics have just been drinking, or they just prefer a different style of music; - and are just looking for a reason to pick on someone, to try to humilate them, or something.
. . . looking for an argument, maybe; dunno.
Don't care, either . . .
.
I'm talking about 'armchair generals' - those guys who didn't have a clue about what they're saying, yet act like experts.
We've all seen them and heard them, eh?
You know the type - they're so arrogant that you just want to 'whack!' them upside the head an tell them to shut the f up!
Heh . . .
Kinda like the guy in the movies who sits behind you, putting his feet on your seat and thumping it. (when that happens to me, I tell them to knock it off. If it happens again, I stand up, face them, and yell at them.)
.
Those kindsa people piss me off, that's all.

Oh, you've seen us play, huh?

I developed a combative stance with audiences since the days of playing basements in front of drunks no one invited, who's only contribution was to shout, "You Suck!" I kinda go out on stage with an "us against them" attitude. It usually works!

I've played shows where afterwards, these morons would talk sh*t about my band right in front of my face as if I wasn't right there listening. A lot of jealous boyfriend like to do that. You see them telling their girlfriends what they think, like they think they can brainwash, and impress the hot date they have. Those guys are most likely wannabe musicians who have yet to touch a stage.

Hey, they're spending their hard earned $10 dollars, and you didn't kill yourself enough for them.

When you're busy doing your thing, it's hard to see who threw the beer bottle at you. Yeah, that's happened before.

Though I suppose it's different when they're right there heckling a live show. That, as you well know, I've not yet dealt with, and probably wouldn't deal well with if and when the time comes. I'm not much good with tact if I'm pissed off. They say that dealing with hecklers deftly is the test of a truly great comedian who can think on his feet. That is definitely NOT me.

You have to remember where you're at when receiving unsolicited advice or reckless criticism. Most of us play at bars, and most people there are drinking and letting off some steam. If they want to yell "Slayer!" sarcastically who am I to stop them? I use the "shock and awe" method to handle these cads, and by the end of the night 90% of them want to be the band's best buddy.

If you haven't seen the movie "All About Eve" in a while watch it; the narrator and one of the main characters is a critic.

Jimmy the term “reckless criticism” is pretty good description. No matter what there will be mean drunks and happy drunks. I’m the happy sort myself, enough beer and a few sambuca, every band sounds like Led Zepplin.

I was watching a comedy special and interestingly enough they were discussing how colors effected the mood of the crowd. One comedian swore that on a stage that was lit with blue light the crowd would be lethargic and mean, where red gave the best results. Hmm it was a while ago that could be reversed.