MercuryToHell
10.17.16 | I'm sure showing my ignorance doesn't help my cause a lot but thought I'd best get asking as I'd like to bang out another good 3 or 4 solid reviews by the end of the year... |
ScuroFantasma
10.17.16 | Last year they opened early Feb |
theacademy
10.17.16 | just review often, focus on new releases, and make your intent clear to some or all of the following staffers: sowing, johnnyonthespot, talonsoffire, atari, jac |
Koris
10.17.16 | ^ this |
MercuryToHell
10.17.16 | I feel that should go with some context...? |
Koris
10.17.16 | Never mind. Just go with what TheAcademy said |
turnip90210
10.17.16 | How often is often? |
DoofusWainwright
10.17.16 | As you just review new releases your rate of roughly 3 reviews every two months I would think is ok :/ |
danielcardoso
10.17.16 | would i have a decent chance of aiming for a contributor spot then? :] |
DoofusWainwright
10.17.16 | Honestly I guess it depends how many people apply but if you're writing at about that rate, primarily covering new releases, and both the number of clicks you're attracting and the approval rating for your 2016 reviews is decent then I'd give it a go. If you don't make the cut I'm sure you'll get a lot of constructive feedback and invited to try again at the next cycle. |
turnip90210
10.17.16 | How does one actually get feedback out of the application process? I've applied a number of times by now, albeit with a fraction of the reviewing activity I'm displaying now, and never heard anything back. |
Archelirion
10.17.16 | ^ Ask any staffers or people in the know, particularly if you're friendly with them. Particularly if you didn't get it, it's honestly a great way of learning what needs to be worked on. |
MrSirLordGentleman
10.17.16 | "Focus on new releases"
It seems I'm the only one that's against that one |
bloc
10.17.16 | I already spoke to the Mods about this, you're not making the cut sorry |
MercuryToHell
10.17.16 | Understood -_- |
DoofusWainwright
10.17.16 | MrSirLord- I agree that reviews for any album missing a review on the site should be encouraged to a similar degree to reviews of new releases |
AtomicWaste
10.17.16 | Generally February is our open admissions process. It's a little known secret that we always hear applications/appeals/pleas/cries for attention whenever, but don't necessarily grant them. Ghost promos are also a thing that happens (Talons to staff this year, me to contrib a handful of years back).
The cardinal rules are basically:
1. Review approximately 1 album/month (give or take)
2. Review new releases
3. Write in a way that demonstrates that you don't suck at writing
4. Don't be a piece of shit asshole |
AtomicWaste
10.17.16 | For feedback, just shoutbox any staff. I gave a few critiques last cycle when asked and will do my best to do so again next cycle/whenever (except now because I'm ramping up for my wedding/honeymoon and just don't have time).
"MrSirLord- I agree that reviews for any album missing a review on the site should be encouraged to a similar degree to reviews of new releases"
While I appreciate the completionist approach (a full database is a sexy database), new releases will always be prioritized because they're new, exciting, capture attention, and drive traffic. People will always care more about a new big name album (or a new unknown, but polarizing/intriguing album) that's illuminated more than a review for Shania Twain's "The Woman In Me." |
DoofusWainwright
10.17.16 | I'm living proof that you can play fast and loose with point 4 ;D |
DoofusWainwright
10.17.16 | Best wishes for the wedding Atomic, I'll be in the same situation come August 2017 |
AtomicWaste
10.17.16 | Thanks! Best of luck to you as well! Setup has finally been getting crazy and its wholly too expensive, but otherwise I'm looking forward to it! |
Calc
10.17.16 | aww you're getting married!?!?!??! congrats brother man |
AtomicWaste
10.17.16 | Thanks dude! I'm stoked. Sorry for the mini thread hijack here! |
danielcardoso
10.17.16 | congrats you both! |
MrSirLordGentleman
10.17.16 | two guys gettin married huh? it seems our community's getting older haha, best of luck to both of you guys!
As for what I said about new releases, I know allowing older albums may lead to many contrib wannabes reviewing let's say, OK Computer lol, but I was saying more because of older albums (mainly from the 60's to the 90's) that were rather obscure in their time, and reviewing them could help people to discover older bands that never got the attention they deserve. Maybe 1/4 or 1/5 out of the guys chosen for contribs/staff could specialize in that, dunno, just a suggestion |
Trebor.
10.17.16 | It helps if you have a decent body of work to stand behind, I think I had like 48 reviews when I got promoted |
AtomicWaste
10.17.16 | "I was saying more because of older albums (mainly from the 60's to the 90's) that were rather obscure in their time, and reviewing them could help people to discover older bands that never got the attention they deserve."
If you want to do this, I think that's cool, and some folks will definitely appreciate it (there are some gems out there that are still buried!) But the focus for contribs/staff is on generating content around new releases. Believe it or not, we're one of many music review websites in a growing pool of 'zines and to stay in "competition" (as well as we do, for better or worse), covering new releases is a necessity and a priority. |
Trebor.
10.17.16 | Yeah the whole point of having a staff is to get reviews for new releases to get traffic to the site
Like yeah that's cool that you want to review a Diamondhead album but that's not going to bring anyone to the site |
Divaman
10.18.16 | I have a question - for those of you who review new releases, where do you go to hear them? Is there a favorite streaming service? |
MercuryToHell
10.18.16 | I should really up my output for the next 3/4 months then, I had a bit of a mid-year lull, but between Angelic 2 The Core and Dissociation I have a newfound buzz.
Plus I'm always a sucker for new A7X so I'm sure I can cook up something for that... |
Archelirion
10.18.16 | I go wherever they stream really, but I do prefer it if they're on Bandcamp and Spotify - Bandcamp particularly if I like it, as I can buy it on there too.
A lot of the time they'll stream on various music sites, and for that it's worth either looking at the 'new releases' thread here or typing in the album and stream into Google (other search engines are available). |
