Metacritic

[Jondalar]

97% of Stevie's reviews for this album have been postitive. Yet, whoever is running metacritic does not like Stevie Nicks. There are only 7 reviews on their site and 3 of them, including the dumb ones from Slant and Onion, are the bad ones. Very peculiar. Her metascore has now dropped to 69 and if they continue this bullcrap will go below 60% shortly. Whoever is doing her wikipedia has been using the metascore to indicate critical response to the album. Not right. There has got to be a reason for this. I know that Metacritic refused to put US 4 star review in their scale. They say they don't use them. It looks like they are just going to continue to post these low reviews from crappy publications until she goes below 60. This is bull.

http://www.metacritic.com/music/in-your-dreams/critic-reviews

[tabruns]

I asked them if they would be including the Billboard review and haven't gotten a response.

[BombaySapphire3]

I don't think the score will drop much more..like I pointed out in the reviews thread(will this thread will likely end up)There is a very wide schism between the reviews that the mainstream press are giving this album and the reviews from sites/publications that are hipster/indie based and metacritic is skewed toward these.The good news is that most people who might buy her albums will probably see only the mainstream reviews.From what i have read of them the hipster/indie type critics are mainly lambasting her just for being Stevie Nicks and staying true to her muse .

[Jondalar]

They have also not included the Boston Globe review which is positive and they have it on others pages. It just amazes me that they have the 3 worse reviews on their site. I don't trust them at all. Other performers such as the Fleet Foxes and Beastie have over 30 reviews counted, STEVIE HAS 7. And three are the worse ones.

[Jondalar]

I don't think the score will drop much more..like I pointed out in the reviews thread(will this thread will likely end up)There is a very wide schism between the reviews that the mainstream press are giving this album and the reviews from sites/publications that are hipster/indie based and metacritic is skewed toward these.The good news is that most people who might buy her albums will probably see only the mainstream reviews.From what i have read of them the hipster/indie type critics are mainly lambasting her just for being Stevie Nicks and staying true to her muse .

which is soo strange really because she is the queen of the hippies

[tabruns]

I think it's a reaction against the mainstream reviewers frankly. With Rolling Stone, US, AllMusic Guide and Entertainment Weekly all raving about the album, I think the hipster rags started feeling that it would be "uncool" to also rave about the album. A.V. definitely often gives off this vibe of being very condescending to what's "popular".

The negative reviews from Slant and A.V. don't even make logical sense in that they're quite vague in their criticisms and in fact basically recycle the same criticisms that have been leveled at Nicks before: her lyrics are "school girlish" or the songs meander or whatever. It's SO strange to see these criticisms leveled at THIS album, because this album so obviously doesn't do any of what they're complaining about. One of the negative reviews said most of the songs on the album were "incomplete"! Are they kidding? How in the world are "Secret Love", "For What It's Worth", "In Your Dreams", "New Orleans", "Everybody Loves You" or "Ghosts Are Gone" incomplete in any way?

I also found it very telling that in both cases the reviewer made great pains to claim they are a Nicks fan but this album just isn't good. It's like the old saying goes: "Thou protests too much". I think they went to such great pains because they knew they were going to be called on their bull**** reviews.

[Jondalar]

Well, whoever is doing Stevie's Wickepedia should not site metacritic if they are soo biased.

[IKV Nexis]

The Onion? The Onion is the On Line News version of the Daily Show and The Colber Report. Nothing on that sight should be taken any ware near seriously.

[Macfanforever]

Probably most of these critics probaby were in diapers when Stevie's Belladonna record was release.They really give a hoot about an old lady {sorry Stevie} trying to make a comeback.As an old geezer like me .If I was a critic writing a review on current music .I probably say most of todays music is ***** , dont buy it.

[JohnSF]

Thanks for posting this thread. (This is my first response here actually) I've been frustrated as well with Metacritic and was even more so when I saw here score drop to 68%. You're right, it makes no sense at all that all these other albums have 30 reviews taken into consideration for calculating their score, but Stevie gets 7. If they took all her reviews for IYD, I bet she could hit 80% easily.

[Jondalar]

I really think late reviewers are going to look on metascore and give her a lower rating because of it. The critic game is all about not looking bad. There are very critics whose opinions are honest. I'm pissed.

[Josh2003]

Why are you always so concerned with what *others* think? Every thread you start is about how other people are reviewing her album, or how many people are buying it.

If you like it, just enjoy it! It's clear that all of her real fans are loving it, so don't stress yourself out over how other people are viewing it!

[PenguinHead]

which is soo strange really because she is the queen of the hippies

Old hippies. A big difference.

I'm in total disbelief reading the horrible and negative comments about the album. There are many people who have expressed much hate, disdain and disappointment.

What's so perplexing is that they are saying they were fans, professing their love of her earlier work!!! Really? How can they consider themselves fans, yet find nothing redeemable on her new album? It's all bull ****. They obviously have no clue about Stevie, and have no appreciation or understanding about her character, her history, her mannerisms, her eccentricities etc... That has never changed! Stevie has alway been consistent in her inconsistencies.

It there is any saving grace, it's that significant work or art of any impact usually sparks very polarizing, subjective opinions. It's a love or hate proposition. In that regard, I love In Your Dreams even more.

[louielouie2000]

Why are you always so concerned with what *others* think? Every thread you start is about how other people are reviewing her album, or how many people are buying it.

If you like it, just enjoy it! It's clear that all of her real fans are loving it, so don't stress yourself out over how other people are viewing it!

Agreed. And I haven't even heard of metacritic before... I'm guessing most people I know haven't either. :shrug:

[Jondalar]

Why are you always so concerned with what *others* think? Every thread you start is about how other people are reviewing her album, or how many people are buying it.

If you like it, just enjoy it! It's clear that all of her real fans are loving it, so don't stress yourself out over how other people are viewing it!

It is the best reviewed album of her solo career. I'm sure Stevie cares. She worked hard on this thing, and can barely promote it. She doesn't need this ****. Obviously, other people care about Metacritic because they continue to site it in her stupid Wikepedia and people do use it for background information. I mean come on. Get out of your bubble. It matters. I'm tired of seeing her being lambasted for not being with Fleetwood Mac, or being a hippie. At least she tries to write her own stuff and be an artist. You would think at the age 63 the crap would stop. Not quite.

[Josh2003]

It is the best reviewed album of her solo career. I'm sure Stevie cares. She worked hard on this thing, and can barely promote it. She doesn't need this ****. Obviously, other people care about Metacritic because they continue to site it in her stupid Wikepedia and people do use it for background information. I mean come on. Get out of your bubble. It matters. I'm tired of seeing her being lambasted for not being with Fleetwood Mac, or being a hippie. At least she tries to write her own stuff and be an artist. You would think at the age 63 the crap would stop. Not quite.

Bubble? Come on...She has gotten, I would say, 95% positive reviews, and yet you dwell on the 5% negative. That's natural! Not everyone is going to love something that she puts out!

Do you really think that her Metacritic reviews are going to cause more people to buy her album, or for Stevie to think differently about the work that she has put out? No. As Louie said, the majority of people don't even know what Metacritic is.

You mention that they "continue to site [sic] it in her stupid Wikipedia"...if you don't like it, go in there and edit it out.

She is getting amazing reviews, with the few token negative reviews. She's not going to get an across-the-board 5/5-star album. There's nothing anyone can do about that, not even Stevie if she were to go back and re-record the album with those negative reviews in mind.

She's done amazingly well with this album, and it's pointless to dwell on those who disagree.

[louielouie2000]

Bubble? Come on...She has gotten, I would say, 95% positive reviews, and yet you dwell on the 5% negative. That's natural! Not everyone is going to love something that she puts out!

Do you really think that her Metacritic reviews are going to cause more people to buy her album, or for Stevie to think differently about the work that she has put out? No. As Louie said, the majority of people don't even know what Metacritic is.

You mention that they "continue to [sic] site it in her stupid Wikipedia"...if you don't like it, go in there and edit it out.

She is getting amazing reviews, with the few token negative reviews. She's not going to get an across-the-board 5/5-star album. There's nothing anyone can do about that, not even Stevie if she were go go back and re-record the album with those negative reviews in mind.

She's done amazingly well with this album, and it's pointless to dwell on those who disagree.

I nominate this for Post Of The Year! :D :nod:

[Jondalar]

metacritic is like Rottentomatoes.com. People do use it and if you look at all the reviews from various albums it is important. I'm happy that you louie aren't aware of it or don't care about it, but this post is not about you or him.

[BombaySapphire3]

metacritic is like Rottentomatoes.com. People do use it and if you look at all the reviews from various albums it is important. I'm happy that you louie aren't aware of it or don't care about it, but this post is not about you or him.
You got that right:thumbsup:There is absolutely nothing wrong with this thread .It is completely pertinent and valid in the discussion of Stevie's new album which is what this forum is esstentially all about.Correct me if i'm wrong.

[Jondalar]

You got that right:thumbsup:There is absolutely nothing wrong with this thread .It is completely pertinent and valid in the discussion of Stevie's new album which is what this forum is esstentially all about.Correct me if i'm wrong.

Thank you! I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have searched out such sites to decide if I wanted to purchase something. Just today, my brother asked me about the new Thor movie. I told him that rottentomatoes.com gave it positive reviews and he had a eureka moment and went to the movie because of that site. He really liked the movie by the way. More and more people use these sites to decide a purchase when money is tight. Me and my friends use sites such as these for purchases.

[louielouie2000]

I'm happy that you louie aren't aware of it or don't care about it, but this post is not about you or him.

But these reviews and such aren't about you either. :shrug: I just don't get why you're taking every single bit of info regarding this album so personally. :sorry:

[Josh2003]

metacritic is like Rottentomatoes.com. People do use it and if you look at all the reviews from various albums it is important. I'm happy that you louie aren't aware of it or don't care about it, but this post is not about you or him.

I don't think anybody ever said that the post was about me or about Louie. All I said was that you are always dwelling on the negative. Sure, *some* people might consider metacritic or rottentomatoes before buying/seeing/listening to a CD/movie.

My main point was that you have been so obsessed with her reviews and sales...and there's no sense in getting so worked up over something so out of your control! Do you like In Your Dreams? If so, enjoy it! There's nothing that can be done about what others think now!

[Jondalar]

But these reviews and such aren't about you either. :shrug: I just don't get why you're taking every single bit of info regarding this album so personally. :sorry:

I don't think anybody ever said that the post was about me or about Louie. All I said was that you are always dwelling on the negative. Sure, *some* people might consider metacritic or rottentomatoes before buying/seeing/listening to a CD/movie.

My main point was that you have been so obsessed with her reviews and sales...and there's no sense in getting so worked up over something so out of your control! Do you like In Your Dreams? If so, enjoy it! There's nothing that can be done about what others think now!

:sorry:I said post, not reviews. I do not know how to respond to apethetic posters. I posted this for people who do CARE how this album is recieved or is being PLAYED OUT. Sales do matter ALOT. So, do reviews.Small things seems to keep getting in the way, such as critical bias by a few. I'm happy that a lot of people do know the importance of these sites and just how wrong they can be. Most people just look at the score and don't even pay attention to the number of reviews. Metacritic is used in other reference sites about Stevie's career, such as wikepedia. I use wikepedia all the time to research careers, albums and movies. So do other people.

[Josh2003]

Then if her album is truly as good as fans and the majority of reviewers believe that it is, the metacritic review should balance out to reflect that. If not, then I guess we are all delusional and the album is shiit.

[BombaySapphire3]

Then if her album is truly as good as fans and the majority of reviewers believe that it is, the metacritic review should balance out to reflect that. If not, then I guess we are all delusional and the album is shiit.

The point I believe that jondalar is trying to make in this thread is that her reviews on metacritic do not represent a fair balance.What I noticed is a huge gap between the more mainstream press reviews and the indie oriented.It is really as if these critics to man/woman are hearing a totally different album.Metacritic tends to favor the indie reviews omitting some of the mainstream ones so IMO it is skewed.

[bluefox4000]

I have not read a single review since this album dropped......or any album for that matter:lol:
I go by my ear......always reliable for me:thumbsup:

Mick

[Heartboy]

I go by my ear......always reliable for me:thumbsup:

Mick

Best thing said in this thread! :cool:

That's how I see it, anyways! ;)

[TrueFaith77]

Best thing said in this thread! :cool:

That's how I see it, anyways! ;)

Of course! But the critic should also participate in the audience's enjoyment of the art form--as challenge, edification, insight, contextualization. I always want to KNOW MORE. The point is that these critics offer nothing helpful to the readers, just a fashionable hipster pose.

[CaliforniaDream]

I've dropped into some alternate reality where instead of facilitating on-topic
discussion, a moderator gloms onto a message criticizing the poster and not
the post. I realize the OP is not popular around here, but this new moderation
style isn't helping to deflect the Ledge's reputation as being clubby and cliquey.
Bad Show.

[Tango]

metacritic is like Rottentomatoes.com. People do use it and if you look at all the reviews from various albums it is important. I'm happy that you louie aren't aware of it or don't care about it, but this post is not about you or him.

While I was not familiar with metacritic before you posted about it, I DO sometimes use review sites in trying to figure out what movie to go to--such as Rottentomatoes. I suspect you may be correct in people using that site before deciding to get music. With limitiations on the number of Benjamins that people have to drop on the arts and time, they may listen to critics.

On the other hand, for people like us, the devotee-fans, we got to see the sizzle reel, and we had the chance to review the streaming music on Rollingstone, but were more likely to get the album anyhow. Still, even on this site there were some few that said they wouldn't bother to get the album after having free access to it.

But on point, yes, I think there are those that look at the reviews and it does influence their purchases.

[TrueFaith77]

I think the OP also brings up a pertinent issue because it helps us to understand the context in which Stevie/the Mac is making art. Websites like metacritic while pretending to be about consensus, in fact reflect the hipster perspective. What metacritic helps to illustrate is that Stevie is not in fashion, not considered "hip." Considering why that is the case might also illuminate aspects of Stevie's art and provide background for conjecture on what Stevie and/or the Mac will do next.

The OP's topic is totally pertinent to discussions surrounding the album.

I can't speak for the OP, but I certainly take all things Mac personally. :laugh:

[FM77]

It is the best reviewed album of her solo career. I'm sure Stevie cares. She worked hard on this thing, and can barely promote it. She doesn't need this ****. Obviously, other people care about Metacritic because they continue to site it in her stupid Wikepedia and people do use it for background information. I mean come on. Get out of your bubble. It matters. I'm tired of seeing her being lambasted for not being with Fleetwood Mac, or being a hippie. At least she tries to write her own stuff and be an artist. You would think at the age 63 the crap would stop. Not quite.

At the end of the day all that really matters is SALES. There have been plenty of records that critics did not like that sold millions. Conversely, there have been critically acclaimed records that no one bought. If she got 4 star reviews everywhere and the album sold as it has, it still would not generate a big tour like huge sales would. Her fans will buy this record and love this record. She is VERY excited about it.

Isn't your board name from one of the worst reviewed movies in the history of the world? Does it matter to you? No. Just relax. Stevie has plenty of money. She will be fine.

[Christopher]

Just as it relates to this thread regarding Metacritic, I'm holding out hope that Mojo And NME come through with good to great reviews for IYD, they would certainly help in bringing up Stevie's score.
But as a fan, I could not be more pleased with IYD. It has exceeded my expectations (which were high). Just thinking about how good this record is *almost* bring me to tears. What the The New Yorker wrote about IYD being almost post millennial is true. This collection of songs gathers the sound and stylings of classic Stevie and songwriting from the 70's through the 90's. It is a time capsule, yet still does not feel out of place in 2011. An instant classic! It speaks volumes when the consensus of her hardcore fans seem ecstatic over this record, that's not an easy feat to achieve, and Stevie has done it.

[BTFLCHLD]

If Stevie's not careful, Heidi Spencer will kick her metacritic ass :rolleyes:

[chiliD]

At the end of the day all that really matters is SALES. There have been plenty of records that critics did not like that sold millions.

Just think "ABBA".


Conversely, there have been critically acclaimed records that no one bought.

Think Out Of The Cradle.

[Annabell Lee]

I have not read a single review since this album dropped......or any album for that matter:lol:
I go by my ear......always reliable for me:thumbsup:

Mick

Great post ! I ALWAYS go by mine as well ! Jondalar does have a point though, there are certain types of people that DO go to these critic sites religiously. That could be a bad thing esp. considering word of mouth and how easily things get around ! This is just another reason i normally don't read critic reviews of anykind. If i put faith in some of those idiots, i wouldn't love half the music or movies that i do today !:nod: