My 100th review, part 1: Blackstar40’s Hall of Fame Jul 16 '06    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line I suppose it would have to be intense appreciation. First of all, I’d like to thank the community of Epinions for making me a top reviewer. To have that happen, at my 100th review, is really like a dream come true. Yes, I’m that sad. Because I’m insufferable too, I’ve divided it into two parts. For this half, I thought I should thank some of the members who I may never have had time to thank before. You know there’s hundreds of you, I just don’t have the space permit to mention you all! The irony is, I probably wouldn’t be here without you. Ahem... I don’t want to make this like an award ceremony, but I think that there are some particular mentions I need to note. The person who I joined Epinions because of It was actually deepthroat101, on a review of Staind’s 14 Shades of Grey. I didn’t join then and there, but that was the thing that trigged my interest, so in some ways I owe it all to him. If he’s writing a review on your favorite band any time soon, you should maybe get a little worried, but there’s no way you can knock his critical skill or coolness dealing with fanboys – I took inspiration from that aswell. The writers who inspired me the most When I was starting out, I was quite happy to say that blindsider, punkrawka and pduval69 were the three biggest influences on my writing, had anyone asked. The first two months of my life here was spent trying to figure out how to write like they do. Punkrawka manages to be all over the rock scene, but at the same time makes his descriptive pieces not seem at all rushed and takes the time to provide recommendations you can act on, pduval69 is probably the best writer of concise reviews I have seen, and that includes all the “critics”. He’s been away for six months now, and I dearly hope he has not retired... he actually helped me to get my first ever Very Helpful review. Blindsider of course undoubtedly shines in the unique niche of hard rock she’s found or is still finding (I’m not really sure). She also uses a more personal touch in her passages. Blindsider is one of those superb, one-in-a-million writers who anyone and everyone can connect with. The members who have been there for me the most, from the start I’m going to have to draw the line here and call it a ‘tie.’ petey_2 His comment on my Slipknot review was the first contact I think we had, and ever since I’ve been hooked. I of course feel that Petey has his own individualistic twist on the music world of Epinions, something I can’t give, but he has also been a great cyber-friend (by that, meaning internet contact, whatever you want to call it) in my time here. Heck, we go back so far I can’t even remember some of it. Except he got me on Soundgarden. I’m sure he’ll also excuse me for promoting his spectacular Tool review again. beekd91 I think... I think... I only discovered beek’s work late last year, but he’s been absolutely tireless since. He’s commented on nearly my every review, and I wonder how he doesn’t collapse from so fiercely keeping up with me. I feel guilty that I haven’t been able to do the same thing back, but I suggest you consider trusting this unfairly undertrusted member: whatever Mike says, goes for me. The rest of you fabulous members (in no order) musicsucks I’m going to go so far as to say this guy is the best concert writer here. Of all the people on the list, I’ve probably known him the least longest, too, but it hasn’t stopped him proving to me that he has a one-of-a-kind point of view worth sharing, which we need more of at Epinions. Even if I’m not entirely clear on the choice of name, it’s not like me to complain. snik1 At age 13 / 14 (I can’t quite remember to my embarrassment), snik is a fantastic writer. Not to be discriminatory age-wise in any way; but he’s just a born talent, period. His reviewing is primarily in the hip-hop area, and lately I’ve been neglecting him, but I admire the honesty with which he can write. He’s also given me some vital encouragement along the way. smarterthan3 I really, really uphold this guy in every way. Not only was he able to introduce me to some new music last year (which I haven’t forgotten), he also had the strikingly original idea to publish hiw own impressive lyrics on the site (check them out today). In his 100th review (he beat me, but no hard feelings), he said he’d give it all up to start again. I’m not sure I would, but I wish him best of luck for the future all the same. consumingfiyah I cannot believe I didn’t take notice of Carl until the start of this year. It was a brave Switchfoot series which caught my attention, but everything else he writes is just as insightful. In fact, his writings could be the path for you to discover heaps of new music, if only you’d let it. I really respect his faith, too. noddy1 What do you say to express your gratitude to a guy that’s been there since your first couple of reviews? Thank you. Beau was able to inspire me and pick me up on some of my so-called facts along the way. Lately I haven’t been as faithful to his career here as I should, and we’re plagued by good-natured (hopefully) disagreements, but here’s to it all. shilmafone Just because I’m going to write less doesn’t diminish this person’s importance to everyday life at Epinions. How do you write so well? Your every review wows me!. Don’t dare write Mike off as an indie snob – far from it, visit his PopMatters reviews instead. speeddemon531 Mike, you could well be the driving force behind the music world right now. I don’t really know speeddemon personally, but it’s impossible to escape his great influence. Not since reading Aesop’s morals as a kid have I seen advice equal to that he tirelessly leaves in the comments section. Of course, he also somehow manages to cram in frequent, unbiased and capable reviews across R&B and rap (mostly). Add that to the fact that he’s got all industry stats under his belt. plorentz / discoinfernal I’m sorry not to give you two a separate entry, but, perhaps a little arrogantly, I find your writing styles incredibly similar. It’s a goal I’ve had since entering the site, and still have: to ‘write like a plorentz.’ These two are bestowed with Most Helpfuls nigh every review they do, and I have to wonder... how do they do it? Paul has worked seemingly effortlessly here for years. As for the recent comeback of the mighty discoinfernal, I was the biggest silent supporter of his return. netnut746 / vanwarp Ok, I admit it. I don’t really know you two guys very well. But you’re the kings of metal writing at Epinions, and I salute you for showing others the way. Not that I steer away from metal; there’s just so much of it out there that never gets promoted and these two do a great job of turning up the odd one. I’m often watching from the sideline in fascination at their varoius reviews on top-notch level of expertise. punkrockboi We’re only treated to the ocassional review from Alex, but he shows he can pull them off with creativity, good manner and style. A little like noddy, we don’t always agree (do you still like the Arctic Monkeys?), but he’s also been rating my work since the very beginning, something I really appreciate, and he sometimes drops by in my comments to give me a nod. He’s also a well-travelled concert-goer, from what I’ve read. lambchops Last (and as the cliche goes) but not least, lambchops is the well-deserving lead of Epinions music. In my time, Shelley’s kindly introduced me to (whether she knew it or not) Rage Against the Machine, loosened my distaste for Rob Zombie, and provoked nostalgia in me (although I don’t know if she should take that as a compliment). She has an immense collection of vintage rock reviews she’s contributed to, and, the icing on the cake is, even when she disagrees with my writing, which I think she does often, she usually has the grace not to say it. Unless I’m hopelessly out of line. Where to go from here? Well, I was going to take a break after this painstaking climb to the summit, but I guess now I’ll stick around a little longer. I promise I will get around to checking out all the bands that have been recommended me someday, and I would also like to humbly bow to all those who took the time to participate in my Buried Treasure Write-Off earlier this year. After my 100th review I’m going to start reviewing movies too. I’m sorry if you think that that’s a sell-out move, but I’m trying to expand my vision. Music will still be my main priority. I’ll drink to another 100 if no one else will with me. Thank you -- everyone. Lead-Up to 100th reviews: Metallica - Master of Puppets Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger U2 - Achtung, Baby Buried Treasure Write-Off – The Kind Participants: beekd91 epitomizes the sound of classic modern-day ska Brendan2 belts out the word on the underground concerning the rise of the robots Bwebster2 competently assesses modern R&B Gotahemmi55 raises hell with Meatloaf’s widely accepted rock pinnacle I drop my own entry in on Jimmy Eat World’s Futures noddy1 finds suprising vigor in the earliest of that Irish band U2’s work. Petey_2’s typically observant self finds hidden meanings in one Fuel’s artwork. Pmills1210, whom I unfortunately didn’t really get to know here, nonetheless obliged me with an excellent unexpected entry redsox75 also happens to show you can't be put off by weird cover art, while showcasing some exceptional writing skill as well smarterthan3 bowls me over with the first entry Voxpoptart brings that delicious indie sixth sense back to Epinions writing ***

Read all comments (13)|Write your own comment

Write an essay on this topic.