Reviews always sink to lowest denominator

57Deluxe

I get fed up when reading reviews of anything that go on to say - it probably won't satisfy metal fans...

FCUK Metal Fans - have you ever read a review of 'Metal' gear that said - it probably won't suit those that like a a nice sounding clean tone and classic rock vibes...??

EdGrip

It's a nice way of saying "Metal players: This thing isn't FOR you!"

LooseMoose

The good news is that it pre-empts the obvious 'Is this good for M3T4Lz' questions.

ANYTHING that stops that kind of question is good, IMO.

Anything.

ThePrettyDamned

I hate it, too.  Metalheads won't ever, EVER look at a blues junior.  Not just because it's a shite sounding amp, but because we occasionally show signs of common sense.  Occasionally.

That said, someone here (or from MR?) uses a 60 watt Fender with a few pedals for proper modern metal - because actually, it has tons of clean headroom, a big cab, plenty of lows, clear highs and a nice notch in the mids.  They are basically the perfect qualities for a general, modern metal amp (though the low - medium gain 'djent' sound is a bit harder to get without the right amp it seems). 

randomhandclaps

57Deluxe said:

it probably won't satisfy metal fans...

Maybe they just mean that it's not available in black?! 

Islandape

It's not just music gear reviews though is it?  I mean, how many times do car magazines review a humble shopping trolly and make asinine comments about it not being "a driver's car"?  No sh*t Sherlock, a (for example) Yaris hybrid isn't a tool for the Nürbergring, but then again, what sort of tool is ever going buy a Yaris as a track day special?

I imagine the US gun magazines are similar "This air rifle is crap for drive by shootings" and What Genocide Magazine frequently slates fireworks as lacking punch...

monquixote

57Deluxe said:

FCUK Metal Fans - have you ever read a review of 'Metal' gear that said - it probably won't suit those that like a a nice sounding clean tone and classic rock vibes...??

Most pointy or superstrat reviews usually mention if they can be used for genres other than T3H BR00T4LZ. 

Jetfire

Lets be fair, alot of magazines have been wheeling out the same old blues crap day in, day out so I doubt an metallers really going to read most guitar magazines (unless its Guitar World, then its all about teh djentz

equalsql

ThePrettyDamned said:

I hate it, too.  Metalheads won't ever, EVER look at a blues junior.  Not just because it's a shite sounding amp, but because we occasionally show signs of common sense.  Occasionally.

  I'll have you know my little blues junior was  very upset with that remark. Poor thing's now sobbing in the corner... they're sensitive little things you know ...shame on you 

ThePrettyDamned

equalsql said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

I hate it, too.  Metalheads won't ever, EVER look at a blues junior.  Not just because it's a shite sounding amp, but because we occasionally show signs of common sense.  Occasionally.

  I'll have you know my little blues junior was  very upset with that remark. Poor thing's now sobbing in the corner... they're sensitive little things you know ...shame on you 

It's okay, I love pink superstrats and solid state distortion.  

Drew_TNBD

FUCK DA FENDA!

Drew_TNBD

... except the EVH5150III which is brilliant.

xSkarloey

It's because reviewers and sub-editors  are contractually obliged to add the tired, shitty comments at the bottom of every review saying "Good for..."/ "Bad for..." which means they often end up writing shite to fill space.

The single most inane example of this came from a certain scribe who shall remain nameless who, in a review of a 60's reissue Telecaster, said under the heading "Bad for..." that "people wanting a tremolo equipped guitar should look elsewhere". 

That bloke doesn't deserve a gig writing parking tickets, let alone for a national magazine.  

equalsql

ThePrettyDamned said:

equalsql said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

I hate it, too.  Metalheads won't ever, EVER look at a blues junior.  Not just because it's a shite sounding amp, but because we occasionally show signs of common sense.  Occasionally.

  I'll have you know my little blues junior was  very upset with that remark. Poor thing's now sobbing in the corner... they're sensitive little things you know ...shame on you 

It's okay, I love pink superstrats and solid state distortion.  

Well that's OK then . I told it that and after a cup of tea and a jammy-dodger it seems much happier.
Although it is still humming 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" when I've got my back turned...oh bless.

kelvinburn

The humble tube screamer probably isn't suitable for metal, yet still manages to be on every metal record ever (possible exaggeration).

Grumpyrocker

I object to the idea that us metal fans don't like any other type of music or gear. 

Bidley

Grumpyrocker said:

I object to the idea that us metal fans don't like any other type of music or gear. 

And being referred to as "the lowest denominator".

Dave_Mc

^ +1 to both of you. I'm more of a hard rock fan than metal, and that kind of talk annoys even me.

57Deluxe said:

I get fed up when reading reviews of anything that go on to say - it probably won't satisfy metal fans...

FCUK Metal Fans - have you ever read a review of 'Metal' gear that said - it probably won't suit those that like a a nice sounding clean tone and classic rock vibes...??

Yeah, pretty much every one I've read ever.

ROOG

equalsql said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

equalsql said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

I hate it, too.  Metalheads won't ever, EVER look at a blues junior.  Not just because it's a shite sounding amp, but because we occasionally show signs of common sense.  Occasionally.

  I'll have you know my little blues junior was  very upset with that remark. Poor thing's now sobbing in the corner... they're sensitive little things you know ...shame on you 

It's okay, I love pink superstrats and solid state distortion.  

Well that's OK then . I told it that and after a cup of tea and a jammy-dodger it seems much happier.
Although it is still humming 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" when I've got my back turned...oh bless.

Amps with people personalities I like it, perhaps we could start a thread.

Mine would probably say. "but why would you play with that thr when you can warm the room with my valves?" 

Back on topic, its the 'everything has 3.5 to 4.5 stars' that bugs me.

RocknRollDave

57Deluxe said:

I get fed up when reading reviews of anything that go on to say - it probably won't satisfy metal fans...

FCUK Metal Fans - have you ever read a review of 'Metal' gear that said - it probably won't suit those that like a a nice sounding clean tone and classic rock vibes...??

Yes. Many, many times.

Isn't it kind of the whole point of a review to tell you what a particular piece of gear is suitable for?!

thecolourbox

Word choices apart in the OP, i know generally what you mean and it annoys me too. For the most part for me a dislike of stating the obvious - this THR10 wont compete with a Marshall Stack... or this single knob fuzz is not the most versatile pedal... Chances are if you're looking at something called a Mighty Massive Metal Master Muff or a Muchos Mojo Mystic Bluesey Overdrive you're likely in the market for just that kind of thing. I dont think id ever get so confused id buy a Metal Muff instead of a clean boost because a review didn't state they weren't for a similar purpose?