Advice: Intergrity or Politeness

[Jono]

Hi Nicola,

Wow that is one very tough situation you have there!

Kind of like when I've heard samples of people singing on the forums..and they ask for peoples opinions. You think that they are rubbish, but don't want to tell them that and ruin their hopes and dreams... In those situations I prefer to not comment at all, as much as I want to.. (And I definitely don't like to lie)

Anyway, your situation is much harder than that...I would suggest going easy since you have only just started this...but do not give false opinions...just be constructive with the truth..

A task that is much harder than it sounds...

Good luck!

Jono

Oh one other thing....don't be a sell out!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif I'm sure everyone is...but if you define yourself, then you will succeed! (at least in my books )

[nicola]

Good advice, Jon. Of course, there will be user ratings availalbe for every artist and album, so fans can soften the blow by disagreeing with me, but I don't quite know how to word the fact that someone doesn't have a nice singing voice apart from something like "personally, I don't see the appeal in their voice" which still sounds awful.

I am leaning towards just being honest here, but I will feel like a monster. I think I can see why critics are hated by pretty much everyone!

But on the bright side, I am ecstatic when I recieve a good promo/demo, like Thomas Spencer-Wortley. That's a fantastic debut album. Think he has pushed the date forward to the end of August and is touring across the UK to promote it. Look out for him. Ironically, it was his PR that sent his stuff, and he personally does not respond to me at all...

[grant]

Hello Nicola

I think the most important thing to consider is that these artists are sending you their material in order for you to give them your personal opinion.

From reading your posts over the years, it's clear that you don't pull any punches when sharing your views on this forum, even when you know that it may not always be well received but it should always be respected.

There is no such thing as a 'soft' critic - they wouldn't last five minutes. You have given yourself a very difficult job but you do owe it to these people to be brutally honest. They have sent you their demo's knowing that you may love or hate their work and always have the option of a second opinion.

It may help your concience a little if you put something on your website to the effect that "The views expressed .... etc" but it certainly wouldn't help your CV if the views you expressed weren't your genuine beliefs.

As far as the artist you mentioned is concerned, I think you have to take a deep breath and respond quickly to them. Once you've done that, you can move on.

Best wishes
Grant