Comments on my music ratings (similar apply to my film ratings):

• I only rate first issues of studio albums, EPs, singles and soundtracks. No DVDs, best ofs and such stuff. Any bonus tracks are not taken into account when I rate a record.



• I rate every record by the standards of the genre it belongs to and of the year it was released in. However, no record will receive a very high rating (particularly 4.0 or higher) just because it is the best in its genre or year of release.



• The most important aspect of a record to me is the artistic value of the music in it; the artistic value lies in the power and uniqueness of the emotions and visuals that the music (sometimes combined with the lyrics, though not always) offers to the listener, as well as in the thinking it triggers. Everything else is secondary, but is taken into account too.



• I always try to be as objective as possible. I don't rate records based on the impact they had on me, but based on the potential impact that I believe they would have on a person that fully understands and enjoys them. To ensure the maximum possible accuracy in this, I listen to most records multiple times and try to be as open-minded as possible. I very often find myself appreciating a record that I disliked at first, which, in my mind, proves that multiple listens greatly improve one's understanding and acceptance of musical material.



• Successful expression of emotions is not necessarily art to me, while art that stimulates emotions by making the listener recall their own experiences I don't consider the highest form of art. The highest form of art, by my criteria, makes for a new experience by itself. A record that succeeds in that is deemed "life-changing" and given 5.0 / 5.0.



• The decision to rate like this was taken because I want to promote material that is actually good, regardless of whether I personally like it or not. My personal preferences shouldn't interest anybody as much as my recommendations.



• Feel free to recommend or ask me to rate / review anything! Or anything else, anyway!