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The MR.com 100% club & perfect ratings in general


whiplash1972

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I don't pay too much attention to single reviews in most places, it is after all one persons opinion I prefer to check out the HH pages or reviews at Amazon e.t.c. to get a general feel. Too often in the past I've read a magazine review saying somethings crap and not bought it only to hear it later and thought it was brilliant and the opposite also applies, everyone may rave about an album - I grab it and it ends up as a coaster. Recently I bought Queensryches - Dedicated to Chaos and while there are a few real clunkers on it it's nowhere near as bad as I was expecting and I reckon it's pretty good....but I went and plumped for it after weighing up a number of good and bad reviews rather than just one opinion.

Plus there are certain people (expecially here at HH and Gdaze) who's views I respect and if they say something is good then I generally make a note to check it out. With the 100% reviews given out....a lot of time I put it down to pure enthusiasm for the music, on ocassion albums I've thought were excellent when I've bought them sometimes lose their appeal a few months down the line and I think true 100% albums reveal themselves over time and also may only be 100% to that particular person. Me Aerosmith Rocks 100% :lol:

 

As always a very intelligent reply, Sir Nick !! :):drink:

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Eh, reviews are simply a single person's opinion of an album. They are not meant to be some sort of academic study of proveable fact. If I like every song on an album, it's a 100% album for me too. It's really no big deal. I have albums that are personally rated a 100% for me and my tastes that I have no doubt would get quite a few raised eyebrows.

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  • My Little Pony

I get so tired of seeing numbers. They're everywhere, and too many people obsess over them. I can't tell you how many times I've seen some arbitrary number next to an album on this site, and I think to myself, "Oh, shut the hell up, already!" Don't worry Geoff and Tim, I won't list any names. I mean, everyone here has a lot of knowledge and experience--much more than I do, anyway--but once I see that number I seem to disregard what was said prior. I'd rather read a review where the reviewer explains what they feel about the album, and why they feel that way. What got you excited? What song could you not resist blowing your speakers to? What song was difficult to get through, and explain it. I think tossing around numbers is far easier, and that's why we do it.

 

Then, on the other hand, some people, like Geoff, get very technical with their numbers. I don't understand how you can praise an album so highly and then stick a 70 on it. Why would anyone want to waste any time on something so far from "perfection?" I don't know. All I'm saying is numbers don't do much for me, when it comes to reviews--movies, music, videogames. I'll read what you have to say, but please leave the numbers out of your reviews.

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I get so tired of seeing numbers. They're everywhere, and too many people obsess over them. I can't tell you how many times I've seen some arbitrary number next to an album on this site, and I think to myself, "Oh, shut the hell up, already!" Don't worry Geoff and Tim, I won't list any names. I mean, everyone here has a lot of knowledge and experience--much more than I do, anyway--but once I see that number I seem to disregard what was said prior. I'd rather read a review where the reviewer explains what they feel about the album, and why they feel that way. What got you excited? What song could you not resist blowing your speakers to? What song was difficult to get through, and explain it. I think tossing around numbers is far easier, and that's why we do it.

 

Then, on the other hand, some people, like Geoff, get very technical with their numbers. I don't understand how you can praise an album so highly and then stick a 70 on it. Why would anyone want to waste any time on something so far from "perfection?" I don't know. All I'm saying is numbers don't do much for me, when it comes to reviews--movies, music, videogames. I'll read what you have to say, but please leave the numbers out of your reviews.

Okay, Man Who Dines In Skirts, I may as well answer.

 

If using numbers from 1-10 to personally differentiate between songs for my own reference is too technical for you, I apologise. Sorry to have offended you. I got confused and forgot I was meant to provide a format that was pleasing to Sir Karpetface.

 

As I said in the couple of instances where I've put some numbers to the pages here, they're for my personal reference to keep a record of my personal favourite CDs of a year. My memory's not that good that I can remember most of what isn't there before me. I just posted them here in case anyone was interested - I didn't mean to get some poor skirt wearer mixed up in a mega-confusing jumble of chaos.

 

If I want to properly review an album I'll review an album, but it's your problem if you're reading so much into a couple of numbers from me and getting your bra tangled over it. I put plenty of my thoughts on albums and songs all over the forum, but I can't help it if you get all caught up in the confusing little numbers and need to see words instead. If that's the case, look in another thread or post where there aren't numbers. Easy fix? I think so too.

 

If I've personally praised an album so highly and only rated it 70%, I'd love to be shown where. But that said, to me 70% is a damn good score. I touched on this in another thread, but to me 70% for a full album has always been an indication of a good album. 90-100% to me is exceptional, 80-90% is almost equally impressive and indicates an excellent CD. So if you think the quality dips that much from 70-80% then yeah, maybe you are right. Maybe those confusing little numbers and you weren't meant to be?

 

Toughen up, you big blouse. ;) If I hear any more nonsense like this rubbish I'll send Matt on the next plane to Canada to slap the tears off your sniffly number-fearing raddish-coloured karpet lined face.

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you should write a book Geoff, you do have many long post here and there :christmas:

I've written many books, mate. :)

 

I just needed to catch up from not being on the forum this week. ;)

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I get so tired of seeing numbers. They're everywhere, and too many people obsess over them. I can't tell you how many times I've seen some arbitrary number next to an album on this site, and I think to myself, "Oh, shut the hell up, already!" Don't worry Geoff and Tim, I won't list any names. I mean, everyone here has a lot of knowledge and experience--much more than I do, anyway--but once I see that number I seem to disregard what was said prior. I'd rather read a review where the reviewer explains what they feel about the album, and why they feel that way. What got you excited? What song could you not resist blowing your speakers to? What song was difficult to get through, and explain it. I think tossing around numbers is far easier, and that's why we do it.

 

Then, on the other hand, some people, like Geoff, get very technical with their numbers. I don't understand how you can praise an album so highly and then stick a 70 on it. Why would anyone want to waste any time on something so far from "perfection?" I don't know. All I'm saying is numbers don't do much for me, when it comes to reviews--movies, music, videogames. I'll read what you have to say, but please leave the numbers out of your reviews.

 

I'll give you about a 2.5/10 for that post. :)

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I get so tired of seeing numbers. They're everywhere, and too many people obsess over them. I can't tell you how many times I've seen some arbitrary number next to an album on this site, and I think to myself, "Oh, shut the hell up, already!" Don't worry Geoff and Tim, I won't list any names.

 

 

 

I was thinking something similar, it seems to be becoming a bit of a tiresome trend lately IMO.

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  • 1 year later...

Two recent additions to the MR.com 100% club:

 

Eclipse - Bleed & Scream

Rick Springfield - Songs For the End of the World

 

 

Never got excited enough about any of Eclipse's previous albums to pick one up; is this one really that good?

Got the Rick Springfield in the mail a few days ago, and am going to give it a few good listens tomorrow.

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The Eclipse one is very very good. I guess I don't spend a lot time ranking by percent so I cannot say if it is 100% or not. Do I like every song? Yes I do, so maybe it is? I dunno.

 

I have not heard the Rick Springfield nor do I intend to. Just not my thing.

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The Eclipse one is very very good. I guess I don't spend a lot time ranking by percent so I cannot say if it is 100% or not. Do I like every song? Yes I do, so maybe it is? I dunno.

 

I have not heard the Rick Springfield nor do I intend to. Just not my thing.

 

Both are great albums, however neither are perfect to me.

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Two recent additions to the MR.com 100% club:

 

Eclipse - Bleed & Scream

Rick Springfield - Songs For the End of the World

 

 

Never got excited enough about any of Eclipse's previous albums to pick one up; is this one really that good?

Got the Rick Springfield in the mail a few days ago, and am going to give it a few good listens tomorrow.

 

The Eclipse is awesome but ive never been a Springfield fan so cant say about that one.

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Ever since this THREAD was created melodicrock.com has been more carefull with awarding an album 100% & I could honestly see happening with WOA & TH's albums.

 

The posts here are an interesting read.

 

I'd like to add two points. I believe I have ALWAYS been very careful when awarding a "perfect" score. We can all argue what makes anything perfect, or if that's possible at all.....but in 15 years of reviews, I've only given 15 or so titles that 100% mark. Not many!

 

I love writing reviews, as much as they are a pain in the ass and I hope everyone reads a little of the text. The majority seem to love the points/scores, but the devil is in the detail :)

 

PS. One more 100% to come for 2012.

 

Next year with the new MR site, I am changing the criteria somewhat. If I don't, I'll have to give out 110s before too long....it's ncie to see the geneal level or quality rising back up over the years.

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Ever since this THREAD was created melodicrock.com has been more carefull with awarding an album 100% & I could honestly see happening with WOA & TH's albums.

 

The posts here are an interesting read.

 

I'd like to add two points. I believe I have ALWAYS been very careful when awarding a "perfect" score. We can all argue what makes anything perfect, or if that's possible at all.....but in 15 years of reviews, I've only given 15 or so titles that 100% mark. Not many!

 

I love writing reviews, as much as they are a pain in the ass and I hope everyone reads a little of the text. The majority seem to love the points/scores, but the devil is in the detail :)

 

PS. One more 100% to come for 2012.

 

Next year with the new MR site, I am changing the criteria somewhat. If I don't, I'll have to give out 110s before too long....it's ncie to see the geneal level or quality rising back up over the years.

 

Let me guess Andrew....Could it be the lead singer of a band from Chicago? Could it be someone who has a similar name to the world famous porn star Jenna Jameson? From what I've heard, it might be better than both the Eclipse and the Rick Springfield.

Erik Martensson will surely be your musician of the year for 2012....a melodic genius!

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  • My Little Pony

I guess reviews are subjective and my biggest issue with the MR.com reviews is that they are all so high. Most CDs are over 80%. For me, maybe call me a traditionalist but anything over 80% is a must have CD. Anything over 90% is best in class or one of the few highlights of the year. 100%.... well I don't know if I have one in my collection, maybe Whitesnake 1987 or Dokken's Back for the Attack or Savatage's Hall of the Mountain King.... that's because on these CDs I love every song, love the guitars, the vibe, the vocals etc.... regardless 100% is a very special album, maybe only a few in a decade if that.

 

But we are all different and what we hear, or want to hear, or what we are looking for is completely unique. Like I said though the review scores are generally waaaaaay too high on the site.

I think sometimes albums like this (and Journey) get an automatic 90% headstart based on name alone and then all they need to do is put in 10% effort and people will love it. wink.gif

 

 

Generally I agree with you but that statement is bollocks. It just depends on your taste. I personally really like quite a bit of the Toto back catalogue, but I do struggle with this album, but then I know people who absolutely love it. Easy as that.

 

I would never give an album a headstart in rating on name alone. Also there have definitely been Journey albums which I didnt rate.....Trial By Fire is weakest Perry album by a long shot. Generations was generally (part from about 4 songs) pretty weak, and even the second half of Frontiers I dont rate that highly even though many Journey fans claim that to be their best album.

 

Clearly Toto and Journey are not your fav style never have been, but then you cant claim them to be 'overrated' cos many love them and with good reason.

 

Cheers

 

It's usually quite the opposite for me. I have an easier time getting into "new" bands, than listening to new music from my favourite artists, because my expectations aren't there. With Electric Boys' And Them Boys Done Swang I literally felt sick before I pressed play--while many will say they felt sick after pressing play--because I wanted it to be amazing, but didn't think it could live up to my expectations. However, it ended up being my favourite album of the year. I believe I gave it a 442.

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No one has ever got a "headstart" because of name, history, members etc...

I may have higher expectations due to the above, but doesn't give anyone a free ride if the music ain't there and at one time or another I think most of my heroes have disappointed me at least once (some more).

 

And Zach - Eric Martensson is a genius without doubt!

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No one has ever got a "headstart" because of name, history, members etc...

I may have higher expectations due to the above, but doesn't give anyone a free ride if the music ain't there and at one time or another I think most of my heroes have disappointed me at least once (some more).

 

And Zach - Eric Martensson is a genius without doubt!

 

Ha ha, I would bet my house that J Jamison will get a 100% - but then from the samples it does sound great.

 

BUT then giving that 100% - how can that be justified....cos will it really be better than Vital Signs, Too Hot To Sleep etc??

 

I doubt it.

 

Ive said it before but IMO no album can ever be perfect......there is always something which could be better - a lyric, a solo, an intro, etc.

 

About the highest Ive ever ranked an album is 96% - some this year have fared well around 92/93% which means they stack up well against the classics from the 80s.

 

Cheers

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  • 2 weeks later...

Jimi Jameson - Never Too Late has officially joined the club.

 

Will be picking this one up sometime in the next few weeks for sure.

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To answer Mike's question, I do think the Eclipse album is excellent. Not even really close to 100% for me personally, but a great disc. It'd rate higher than the Jamison CD for me personally, which is nice but very safe. Springfield has a few fillers but there are some really killer songs on that disc.

 

I rated Eclipse an 85% and it'd be the highest of the 3 for me. But that's a great score and all 3 are great discs, probably all about that 80% mark. IMO. :)

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Perfection...REALLY? well that wasn't very predictable was it :whistle: I've got this on the way as we speak, along with the new Rick Springfield (which judging from what I have heard so far, is the better of the 2 ) but I very much doubt either are gonna get the ultimate score.

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I've listened to Jimi twice so far & I love it. EM has really nailed the 'Jimi' sound IMO. This is exactly the type of song he should be singing & there isn't a filler on it.

 

Safe? Well that's one word. I would nt call this 'safe' - stuff like bullet in the gun is far from safe, killer I'd call it. Easily a 90% from me.

 

My only (slight) grumble would be a bit more guitar but that's me being picky lol

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