Rankings and "do NOT play" suggestions

[DodgerMatt]

Is there some protocol for suggesting certains bands/songs NOT be played? I don't mean to start a thread where people jump in and mention all the bands they hate, but there are some that I've heard on AM (one notable--Godspeed You Black Emperor) that I find absolutely nothing good about about and turn off as soon as I see them in the queue. Especially long songs that are really bad (synonymous with GYBL stuff) should require at least three people within an hour to request them before they are entered in the queue, only to be played in the wee hours...or some other restrictions.

Sorry to rant. But is there some way to set up a ranking system for registered members? I am constantly hearing really good music from bands I had only heard of before, or from bands entuirely new to me. If I had a chance to rank these bands/songs and found that others had ranked them similarly, I would get a real good idea of the quality of some of the songs in the queue.

Thanks. Great site BTW.

[DodgerMatt]

Yikes, a 25 and a half-minute GYBE "song" at 4:38pm. I'll be back in a half-hour.

[Rick and Roll]

There is plenty I do not like in prog. I dislike Magma, and most RIO (although Miriodor is fine), and most space rock.

The problem here is, no two people like the same thing. Hard to set a specific rule.

I've never heard Godspeed - I may hate it, but I should have no say over it's right to be played.

I rarely request tunes (I mostly rant, and sometimes listen). I find a lot of stuff I never heard played, which I like to hear - good or bad.

I don't find a lot of what I think others would like on AM - a lot of Djam Karet, Discipline, Ozric, Vai, etc. - is missing. That's why I post so much.

Heard a song from a bass player (may have been Greg Howard), a 60-minute song about the water on the Moon or something like that. I thought it was repetitive after 20 minutes, but I still defend its right to be played.

My suggestion - let the playlist do its thing and use the Shoutbox or the Forums for this - I guarantee you will get the feedback you need!

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by DodgerMatt
Is there some protocol for suggesting certains bands/songs NOT be played?
<snip>
Thanks. Great site BTW.

This is as good a place as any. We are not likely to set up anything as elaborate as you mention - but all suggestions, both positive and negative, are considered. Many people have requested GYBE, and in fact, at this point, more people have requested that we ADD more of their music than that we remove any.

I'm not personally crazy about them - but I think their music is artistically valid enough, and different enough, that I've included a selection of them. If a lot of people asked to remove them, I would consider downsizing the selections - but like I said, at this point, the "ayes" outweigh the "nays".

Keep the feedback coming...

[zvinki]

I am one of those that requests GYBE but I must admit that it is an acquired taste. As a matter of fact it is thanks to AM that I have grown to like them (among many other artists). This is to me one of my greatest benefits of AM (aside from chatting with the many fine people on the shoutbox).

I agree with jim in that there are a LOT of people out there who like GYBE (I'm in the take or leave category) and to set up a set of parameters to decide when certain bands will play is a bit unfair on them.

I look on AM as a sort of family (see zvinki's post) and even though you might not agree with everything that the faamily does (It would be very tedious if you did) you have to respect their thoughts.

Taking your idea to the extreme, if you had to wait for a track to be requsted "X" times we'd end up with nothing but requests for Yes, Genesis and Crimson being played or as EP would have it, you'd get Triumvirat's 'Mr 10 percent' every couple of hours......only kidding Tommy.

I listen to hear new bands and have discovered, literally, scores of them that now sit proudly on my CD shelves.

Let's leave the request policy as it is, I say. If something comes on that you don't particularly like, go make a cup of coffee or, if it's a long track, make out with your girlfriend..........much nicer idea.

[Yesspaz]

This is an absurd topic. AuralMoon is my favorite internet radio station because it is generally so positive. Let's not get into a "this-band-sucks" mode, please. Since I am the one responsible for getting Godspeed on AM (virtue of my donation), I'll say phooey: PHOOEY! If I hadn't just made a request I'd go request some Godspeed. Taste is relative and there's no accounting for it. I don't particularly like Genesis. They're "take or leave" to me. I loathe ELP. I love Gentle Giant. There are folks here who love Genesis and hate Gentle Giant. Isn't that great, we all love art rock. And that's what Godspeed is: Art-Rock. I'd be hesitant to call Godspeed prog, but art-rock is appropriate.

Also, as a Godspeed fan, let me point out that only their first album is on AM, and their first album pales in comparison to their second, third, and fourth albums.



BTW, ProgDirJim will be getting a Christmas present that may make this Godspeed topic..., um.., interesting.

[Rick and Roll]

Keith, Zvinki, Jim, and I tried to spin this question into a consructive issue. We all know that there's no way to set up the requests any more fairly. We were just looking for a solution to Matt's issue - the shoutbox, forums, requests - they are positive answers.

Please don't assume Matt was being difficult. Maybe I'm naive, but I don't find his ravings negative. Negative was the Philip Glass thread (although I found that perversely entertaining).

Please don't be inconsistent by saying "lets be positive" and then slam the dude by calling his topic "absurd".

I do find that a lot of the prog bands that I really like do not have their best material represented on this station. I can only make suggestions, not get frustrated - people are busy, you need to let them discover it on their own.

At some point, I may sing the virtues of certain bands I feel are underappreciated, and I also was requested to talk about some concert memories. But they will have to wait until a more appropriate time.

Godspeed you Aural Emperor!

[zvinki]

I agree with you Rick but for Matt's sake I just want to point out that he should not take offense at Yesspaz' comments. Yesspaz is an honest and informed person on the topic of progressive rock, which is why he is one of the most important members of our little family. We are rather informal with each other so some things may come across harsher than intended.

[Extended Play]

Originally posted by Keith Waye
or as EP would have it, you'd get Triumvirat's 'Mr 10 percent' every couple of hours......only kidding Tommy.

Actually, I was making a point about how I hear it so damn much. So, every other day would be fine with me. Thanks

As for the actual topic . . . Feedback is a good thing, but only what's deemed to be workable by the station can be done. Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't complain. Just be prepared to be told no from time to time. (that's why I only play prog metal every once in a while, maybe )

Tommy

[Rick and Roll]

hey, it's your show.

I hate hearing the same song over and over - especially if I like it!

[Steady Stan]

about AM is the variety. I feel like any song that has prog or art rock elements is worthy of being on the playlist. "Good" art will always be in the eye of the beholder.

[Yesspaz]

Didn't mean to be harsh, I just think campaigning to get an artist removed is rediculous. I questioned Enya's belonging here, but I don't think I tried to get her off.

[Rick and Roll]

I see now - that's a good point.

I don't think I've ever tried to get Enya off either.....

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
I don't think I've ever tried to get Enya off either.....

And people have a go at me for being a perv..........Ho ho!!

Shame Doris Day isn't a prog artist.

[Steady Stan]

You don't go to a museum and say, "Take down this painting! It sucks, & I don't want to see it anymore!"

[Rick and Roll]

I am top perv! Got to keep the crown! That Enya was too easy....

ProfundoStan...........

It's all true though.

[Steady Stan]

for the top perv title, but I don't want podakayne to get the correct impression of me.

Originally posted by Steady Stan
for the top perv title, but I don't want podakayne to get the correct impression of me.

I get the impression she's got a pretty good idea about all of us as it is Stan

<Yoda voice> Very wise girl she is......