On my review of Leaving Home, the band Indian Ocean's feature-length "film" over at DesiCritics.org, I was at the receiving end of some pretty brutal comments by this person who goes by the name of "musiclover." Now, I normally do not reply in the comments field of my own posts, least of all when there's criticism but in this case I was hoping to make an exception. But then, just before I published my comment, I noticed that I was the Featured Desicritic - now maybe that explains a lot, maybe it doesn't. Anyhow, I would rather not waste my lengthy reply so I'm posting it here for posterity. Please do me a favour and first read the review (whether you've watched the film or not) either at the link provided above followed by the comments of "musiclover" before you read what follows. The same review can also be found on my reviews blog but I don't suggest you read that since you'll anyway have to go over to DesiCritics.org to read the comments of "musiclover".
@"musiclover"
Okay, so this is the first time that I'm even bothering to reply in the comments section of my own article. The reasons are obvious - humility is costing me credibility, and your comments are offensive. You are probably the last person that I am going to take BS from, esp. when it comes to my writing style and my knowledge of music. There is obviously a reason why you did not provide a detailed comment - you did not have anything to say which could possibly justify all the accusations that you made in a couple of lines. Opinion is one thing, but what's with downright criticism of a perfectly valid article? There's not one point up there which misses the mark. If I have to critically analyze my own writing, I would say that since I have not mentioned a rating anywhere, the review might seem ambiguous, and it may be unclear to some whether I loved it or hated it, although if it were the latter, all the praise would be sarcastic. Too much of an effort, I think. Anyway, my fault - I should have explicitly mentioned "Too good. Must watch, unless you have an aversion to the Indian Ocean brand of music. My rating: 3-on-4" although I don't see what other meaning could be derived when I clearly mention the term "the only potential downers."
Also, posting a link to an article on the website of a famous news channel, written by an established writer proves nothing but just goes to show YOUR attitude - just because a guy like Masand happens to have age, experience and luck on his side doesn't mean that all "non-professional" writers are inferior. In fact, there is a huge error in his review but let's not get into that here. Everyone has to start somewhere - being a part of the information age, sites like DC are my stepping stones. Of course, I'm always learning, always improving - but I'd rather give the advice of people like you a pass. In fact, you are like Rolling Stone magazine, which had to eat its words when bands like Led Zep and Nirvana whom it initially panned went on to make it big. The same thing's bound to happen to you - all the up and coming, talented, young writers (including me) who you're taking great pleasure in unfairly criticizing now will sooner rather than later hit the "big league" as defined by the norms of this industry (norms that people like you swear by) and make people like you eat their words.
@"musiclover"
Okay, so this is the first time that I'm even bothering to reply in the comments section of my own article. The reasons are obvious - humility is costing me credibility, and your comments are offensive. You are probably the last person that I am going to take BS from, esp. when it comes to my writing style and my knowledge of music. There is obviously a reason why you did not provide a detailed comment - you did not have anything to say which could possibly justify all the accusations that you made in a couple of lines. Opinion is one thing, but what's with downright criticism of a perfectly valid article? There's not one point up there which misses the mark. If I have to critically analyze my own writing, I would say that since I have not mentioned a rating anywhere, the review might seem ambiguous, and it may be unclear to some whether I loved it or hated it, although if it were the latter, all the praise would be sarcastic. Too much of an effort, I think. Anyway, my fault - I should have explicitly mentioned "Too good. Must watch, unless you have an aversion to the Indian Ocean brand of music. My rating: 3-on-4" although I don't see what other meaning could be derived when I clearly mention the term "the only potential downers."
Also, posting a link to an article on the website of a famous news channel, written by an established writer proves nothing but just goes to show YOUR attitude - just because a guy like Masand happens to have age, experience and luck on his side doesn't mean that all "non-professional" writers are inferior. In fact, there is a huge error in his review but let's not get into that here. Everyone has to start somewhere - being a part of the information age, sites like DC are my stepping stones. Of course, I'm always learning, always improving - but I'd rather give the advice of people like you a pass. In fact, you are like Rolling Stone magazine, which had to eat its words when bands like Led Zep and Nirvana whom it initially panned went on to make it big. The same thing's bound to happen to you - all the up and coming, talented, young writers (including me) who you're taking great pleasure in unfairly criticizing now will sooner rather than later hit the "big league" as defined by the norms of this industry (norms that people like you swear by) and make people like you eat their words.
guys like him ..
ReplyDeleteare fuckers man!!
they cant give useful opinion...they just talk shit..
and they are losers..sore losers..
I think this comment does indeed belong over at Desicritics, it would be an apt reply:)
ReplyDeleteOh I don't know, more so since the person is not even using his/her real name - plus you know what they say about fighting over the internet na.
ReplyDelete