I am best at appreciating the most creative aspects of music, so if a band is doing something different all whilst making it memorable, I will enjoy it on some level. I try not to disregard anything simply because of preconceived notions.

Here’s an explanation of my rating system for both music and films.

Everything starts out at 3 stars and I either work down or up from there. If no impression was made, but it's not terrible, 3 it remains.

5 Stars: Superlative (rare)
*A personal impression has been made, and I will most likely being listening to and/or watching this for years to come. This has probably seen multiple plays in my library, and I have also probably worn my friends out with superfluous amounts of praise and recommendation.

4.5 Stars: Convictive
*I will be returning to this release for a long time, and a void has most likely been filled by my exposure to its quality. I would introduce newcomers to a genre with this release.

4 Stars: Splendid
*This was a fantastic album and/or film. I would have no problem giving this a number of spins and will probably return a number of times for months to come. This will probably die out of my favorites, though, not be entirely forgotten, just undermined.

3.5 Stars: Commendable
*I was fond of this release. It was top notch in terms of setting the bar high in certain instances, but failed to achieve total consistency. I will probably return a few times, maybe even to adjust my rating to a higher standard; but more often than not, this will be shelved.

3 Stars: Acceptable
*I find that this barely meets the standard in originality, but nonetheless, does so. I enjoy it to a certain degree, but was not impressed in the slightest. I may return - I may not.

2.5 Stars: Conventional
*Let’s move on as quickly as possible. This release was run-of-the-mill and took no creative route in any sense of the term. I may return only to pinpoint areas of discontent for a review.

2 Stars: Crude
*I find this release to be pointless, really. It was unprofessional and lacks any regard for effort. Go away.

1.5 Stars: Dreadful
*This is borderline offensive in terms of quality and effort. I wasted my time with this.

1 Star: Deleterious
*I wish this hadn’t inhabited my library - time to light it on fire.

.5 Star: Noxious (rare)
*This release is surrounded by an aura of miasmal mist. Please excuse me, I feel sick.