Album Rating: 5.0

That sounds amazing and terrifying

Album Rating: 5.0

100% agree with toxin. I quit for many years too and it was beneficial in the same ways and I also listened to less. But I think I also settled into what I like now and I’m less swayed by others than I used to be

Album Rating: 4.5

@toxin I feel you. I pop up here and there but I mostly use this site as a database and to keep up with music. Don’t worry the site can still be toxic but I owe a lot to it still. Met some great people here but also shitty ones. So it’s better that I don’t come here as often or review anymore but I have a select few friends here and some friendly rivalry’s that I value.

Album Rating: 5.0

@Observer,

That would be pretty interesting. I imagine people would still find something stupid to compete on because it's so baked into the ethos of this website but I think it'd manifest in different ways if discussion on an album didn't always foreground your overall opinion on it. I think, though, that ultimately what plagues Sputnik and really any criticism-oriented website is that it feels a lot worse to like someone and have someone else dislike it, than vice-versa. So that means the overly negative, critical people have some sense of "power" over you. Human psychology at its worst. These days, like nash I try not to be too affected by other people's opinions, but I can't lie that it still feels kinda bad, ngl.



Also an interesting discussion is how this website responds to taste makers. To this day the fact that so many people listened to Laura Stevenson just due to Chan is kind of crazy. And meanwhile, I noticed even before I left that Sowing was making it more acceptable to like fairly accessible and mainstream stuff, almost giving people "permission" for it. IDK.



@Mongi, yeah I mean my experience on this website is pretty alright with my limited engagement these days. I think a lot of the obnoxious Sputnik types don't really care enough about a certain kind of accessible rock music -- it's not mainstream/ relevant enough to draw their ire. Most of the users who post on these sorts of albums end up being pretty okay. But like I'll read what passes for discourse on the latest Taylor Swift album and regret it immediately.

Album Rating: 5.0

I'd argue that it wasn't really about the acceptable genres but rather the way people present their opinions -- especially negative ones. Are they done in good faith to promote conversation, or are they antagonistic in a way that comes off as self-aggrandizing? The most recent pizzamachine review on Skillet is a pretty good example. I did the same thing cynically shitting on Boys Like Girls in 2013.

The funny thing is though -- on revisiting some threads, I actually agree with you. I do think in general discussions are pretty productive, so maybe people finally have moved on from music taste being social currency. Ironically, I'm pretty sure I feel as though it's still a thing *because of you*.

I mean take your first sentence. The whole "lmfao I'm gonna quote you [incorrectly] and imply you're an idiot for saying this" schtick is so boring and played out. I mean it's juvenile in general, but the dumbest thing about it here is that you're wrong. I wasn't talking about pop so your poptimism snark doesn't even work? You're just being an asshole to be an asshole. (I was talking about how discourse changed on accessible alt rock/ pop punk like Yellowcard, Anberlin, etc.).

But I think I'd seen various of your posts and with that same general flippant condescension and, especially coming from staff, it made me assume it's still a site-wide thing. I still see that dismissive arrogance even in e.g. your presumably tongue-in-cheek yet nonetheless revealing "I'd consider in part or entirely garbage" comment. But agreed that overall my opinion on Sput discourse was dated.

Album Rating: 5.0

Anyway, not really trying to start drama given I post on this site like 10 times a year and this is one of the comfort albums I like posting in and seeing the regulars respond to/ talk about. But, y'know, that's just how this infrequent visitor sees it. Feel free to have the last word. I do hope that the Skillet example I saw is more an exception than the rule. I wonder if the taste elitism has just been relegated to shitting on some allowed whipping boys (like butt rock or whatever).

One last thing to contradict my previous post about people moving on from music taste being social currency -- I remember reading a comment in (Death Cab's) Transatlanticism implying that there's a correct set of favorite songs to have on Plans, and I Will Follow You Into the Dark is not one of them (y'know, because it's the popular single). Maybe this is the new social currency (it's subtler than shitting on an album, artist, or genre). Part of me *almost* is curious enough about this to get more active on the site and observe the social dynamics at play, but then I realize I could do literally anything else with my life lol

Album Rating: 4.0

Holy moly did I sleep on this album.

Album Rating: 5.0

Majorly

Album Rating: 4.5

amazing album ye. would prob 5 this if shame were on here

Album Rating: 5.0

It’s been at least 5 years…

I just heard “Work” at a mini-putt golfing place tonight. It brought back some memories.

Album Rating: 4.5

Music doesn't get much better than this tbh

Album Rating: 5.0

I think if I listen to this in the car today I will feel less depressed. I hope

Album Rating: 4.0

is swell album yez

Album Rating: 4.5

Album covers a whole spectrum of emotions

Album Rating: 4.0

actually a very well done album that aged well

Album Rating: 4.5

Their big three have aged astonishingly well. This guitar tone on this while nothing special has such a punch to it and the drumming is a spectacle. Just Tonight and Pain fucking bang.

Album Rating: 3.5

Ah man, Drugs or Me hits the feels so hard! Album has some insane highlights to be fair, but then there's like 60% of "serviceable" tracks which I don't have a lot of love for. Still a good album overall though, but I do prefer Bleed American and Clarity. It's all about Futures, Work, Drugs & 23 for me.

Album Rating: 5.0

There’s a glaring lack of Kill, Polaris, and Night Drive on your list tho

Album Rating: 4.5

shame should have been on here instead of nothingwrong imo. that song is great too but its big stompy rock feel sticks out like a sore thumb in context of the back half