I’ve just received a quarterly invoice from my web hosting provider. The amount of money I’m paying (you could buy quite a few CDs with that) ought to serve as a reminder to a few people as to the purpose of this site.
Recently I’ve had people take exception to things I’ve written, and I’ve even had it suggested that I can’t be trusted to write unmoderated on my own site because “I keep getting myself into trouble”. Nobody should be surprised that I take such suggestions, however well-meaning they claim to be, rather personally.
As long as I’m maintaining this site using my own time and money, absolutely nobody has the right to tell me what I can and can’t write on here. If you don’t like what I have to say, nobody is forcing you to read it. Same goes for my Twitter feed.
Comments, of course, are always welcome. I don’t mind if you disagree with me on the condition that you remain polite and civil in your replies. But if you’re just going to leave insults, don’t be surprised if I decide to delete your post or even ban you from the site. Again, the decision as to whether or not to moderate comments is mine and mine alone. It’s always a subjective judgement call whether to delete a borderline-acceptable comment or to allow it and follow up with a rebuttal.
I put a lot of time and effort into writing for this site; nothing I write on here is tossed together in five minutes, which is more than can be said for some of the more intemperate comments I occasionally get. Guess a comment beginning with the words “You are a moron” perhaps qualifies me to be a proper music critic?
Since reviews of albums and gigs are such a major part of this site, I always try to be honest as I can. Only artists with exceptionally thin skins should be unable to handle constructive criticism. But when I know the artist personally I’ll always try to be positive as well. I write very much as a fan rather than affect the jaded cynicism of the stereotypical critic. And many band members have thanked me for reviews over the years.
Well said, and to anyone suggesting to Tim that he needs to be vetted before pressing publish, there’s a simple comment:
Sod off.
He’s been doing this for the better part of a decade. Get your own site.
Ought to mention that I’ve never had any member of any band give me grief (I’m not on Axl Rose’s radar).
Worst that’s ever happened is Fish disagreeing with my interpretation of a lyric from “13th Star”. I still stand by what I originally wrote.
Always been over-zealous fans who have been the problem.
Tim -
I live in the States and very much appreciate the insight you provide into a segment of UK prog of which I was totally unfamiliar before discovering your site. (Mostly Autumn et al) Unfortunately, there are wankers everywhere (I hope I used the term correctly) who seem to take great delight in just trying to piss people off with disrespectful and inflammatory posts/comments. More than once, I’ve had the strange experience of posting what I thought was an innocuous comment about a band or song or album, only to be attacked with the most violent rhetoric. Some people feel very brave, sitting at their computers in their pajamas and slippers and hiding behind a cloak of anonymity, writing comments they would never dare speak directly in person to someone. Please keep up the good work. You are appreciated.
Thanks Mike. Your post demonstrates why it’s worth my while maintaining this site.
I think anonymity is overstated, though. Some of the worst trolls I’ve ever encountered online have been people who had always used their real names.
Tim, I have never noticed any indefensible comments from you regarding groups and their music. It all seems perfectly polite criticism to me. If rabid fans cannot accept that there are people out there that do not worship the ground upon which the clay feet of their heroes walk, then they should wake up and see the world for what it is.
Yrs
Thor
I regularly read your blog, but have never before felt the need to comment.
It’s your blog, and you can write whatever you like on it. Surely it is here for you to give your own views freely (unlike certain forums)?