What follows is simply a rant on my recent experience with E-dition magazine, the self-proclaimed best magazine for electronic music, based in the Netherlands.
I risk sounding very conceited, or maybe even dellusional, by what I'm about to write here, but I really feel it necessary to react.
After reading the reviews (all of which have been uploaded to my website), seeing the inclusions in charts, etc, I think it's safe to say that two of my ambient albums, Fleeting Glimpses and Black Serpent Dreaming, have been highly acclaimed by reviewers, musicians, and listeners. Although I could include the pertinent items (reviews, charts) in this rant, it's not really necessary.
E-dition is a whole different story. First, after sending in the two CDs for review, I get ignored by Kees (who is apparently the man to contact regarding reviews) for two months. Then Bert (the editor-in-chief) tells me he doesn't know anything (!?), and adds that I should contact Wouter. After a few days, Wouter tells me the CDs have been reviewed, but doesn't know if the reviews will (ever) be published. A few weeks later, I contact Bert again, asking if the two reviews will be included in the 10th issue of E-dition, and, once again, he says he doesn't know, and I should check for myself (through their website). In my reply, I respond by confirming that the reviews will indeed be published (ah, sweet irony), and kindly request to see the reviews. Guess what, I'm ignored again. Now, I'm fairly certain that you can see why I got quite aggravated by the whole situation.
However, here comes the cherry on top. This morning, I look through the E-dition website, and find that my two CDs have been given 1 star out of 5 each!? I can take constructive criticism, in fact, I've always welcomed it, especially from people who "know their stuff" (like Byron Metcalf, whose advice and criticism was crucial in my development as a musician). Likewise, I would probably not be so irritated if E-dition's were the first reviews of my two CDs, as then I'd probably take it there's in fact something wrong with the two records. However, given what I said in the first paragraph of this rant, this really cannot be the case.
I've never met Kees, Bert, Wouter, or any reviewer from E-dition, and hence, cannot know what kind of individuals they are. However, what I can judge is their professionalism, and all I can is that I'm deeply disappointed with E-dition's lack of such, and will never, ever contact them again.
My grudge with E-dition Magazine
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- KVRist
- 271 posts since 8 Aug, 2003
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- KVRAF
- 7317 posts since 7 Mar, 2003
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- KVRAF
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
I agree with Andrew. Someone is always bound to dislike any endeavour, no matter how well-received elsewhere. Reviews aren't about constructive criticism, they are about someone publicly airing their opinions. Sometimes that is constructive, but not by definition.
I'd also suggest that while advising you if/when a review will appear would have been a friendly gesture, it certainly isn't a professional requirement of any reviewing publication.
Something to consider, if the reviews had been glowing, would you have posted this complaint? It is rare that someone states "I got a 5/5 from these guys, but they are a bunch of unprofessional jerks."
I'd also suggest that while advising you if/when a review will appear would have been a friendly gesture, it certainly isn't a professional requirement of any reviewing publication.
Something to consider, if the reviews had been glowing, would you have posted this complaint? It is rare that someone states "I got a 5/5 from these guys, but they are a bunch of unprofessional jerks."